General Information Rabbit Owners Should Know

1. Housing
2. Food
3. Tranning
4. Toys
5. Communication

*****The average lifespan of the domestic rabbit is 6-8 years, but they can live as long as 15 years.

*****Spayed and Neutered pets are both healthier and more lovable.

Female Rabbit (or Doe) reaches sexual maturity between 3-9 months depending on the breed. Does can breed at 1 year old. The gestation period (length of pregnancy) is about 1 month. The litter can be as little as 4 and as many as 10.

ok lets do a little math:
A---a rabbit lives about 6-8 years.....
B---lets just assume 7
C---they can breed at 1 year old
D---that equals an assumed 6 years to mate
E---lenght of pregnancy is 1 month 12months in a year
F---6 years x 12 months= 72 Possible Pregnancies
G---72 Possible Pregnancies x10 kits ina litter (litters between 4-10)
AND THAT EQUALS 720 Possible Kits or Baby Rabbits!!!!

Male Rabbits (or Buck) reaches sexual maturity between 5-8 months. Baby Rabbits (or kits) can be sold as early as 3 months.

*****In high humidity and temperatures greater than 85 degrees F, heat stress may lead to infertility or death.

1. Housing

Wire bottom cages are fine...but you must have something that your rabbit can rest his paws on...if not its bad. shreeded paper is also good but be aware your rabbit will eat it...Most popular are pine and cedar shavings, which are best as far as absorbancy. odor control, and ease of cleaning.

*****A rabbits diet should be made up of good quality pellets, fresh hay, water, and fresh vegatables.

2. Food

Quantities of Food for:

AGE / DIET

Birth to 3 weeks

--mothers milk

3 to 4 weeks

--mother's milk, nibbles of alfalfa and pellets

4 to 7 weeks

--mother's milk, acces to alfalfa and pellets

7 weeks to 7 months

--unlimited pellets, unlimited hay, introduce vegatables

12 weeks

--introduce vegatables (one at a time, quantities under 1/2 ounce)

7 months to a year

--introduce grass and oat hays, decrease alfalfa, decrease pellets to
• 1/2 cup per 6lbs body weight, increase daily vegetables gradually,
• fruit daily ration no more than 1 oz. to 2 oz. per 6lbs. body weight

1 to 5 years

--Unlimited grass hay, oat hay, straw, 1/4 to 1/2 cup pellets per 6lbs.
• body weight, minimun 2 cups chopped vegatables per 6lbs. body weight,
• fruit daily ration no more than 2 oz. per 6lbs. body weight.

over 6 years

--If sufficiant weight is maintained, continue adult diet.
• Frail older rabbits may need unrestricted pellets to keep weight up.
• Alfalfa can be given to underweight rabbits, only if calcium levels are normal.
• Annual blood works are highly recomended for geriactric rabbits.

My Vet recommends: