Rabbits ( 2 of 2 )

Wording of this Handout:

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Pick your rabbit up correctly and it will not scratch your hand. They don't like being picked up, usually, so you have to let it know you are not going to hurt it.

There is usually a big difference between male and female rabbits. I have found that the male ones are usually the most affectionate. The females can be very aggressive and anti-social when they have babies (kittens).

Rabbits can dig very long tunnels, so keep an eye on your rabbit every day. If a tunnel starts, you will see a large mound of loose dirt growing.

One chore is feeding your rabbit, especially in winter when there is very little grass about. One way to make things easier is to buy a bale of good lucerne hay, and drop a bit into the cage each day. Rabbits like to eat dry stuff, as well as soft green stuff, and if they get hungry they will eat their own droppings. Its a bit like chewing the cud for them.

Rabbits are also very clean animals. They do not like smelly cages, so they will use one corner for their toilet. This is because they can't go a long way from their bedding. This also makes it easier for you to keep the cage clean, since you have only one area to clean out and replace with clean hay.