Physical and psychological needs of rabbits: a rabbit is not a cat

Bourne Debra
Sunday, May 1, 2011

Rabbits can make good pets, provided that their basic needs are met. Rabbits are prey animals and are relatively fragile compared with cats or dogs; they require firm but gentle handling. Whether kept in the house or in a hutch, they need companionship, space for exercise, hiding and sleeping places, protection from rain, excess heat, and predators, and opportunities to gnaw and dig. Home hazards include electrical cables, poisonous plants and heavy objects which could be knocked over. Daily checking of the rabbit and cleaning of latrine areas is important to prevent fly strike. If not raised together, rabbits need to be introduced to each other gradually. Hospitalized rabbits need privacy, familiar smells and if possible their bonded buddy.

Physical and psychological needs of rabbits: a rabbit is not a cat
Physical and psychological needs of rabbits: a rabbit is not a cat

Subscribe to get full access to The Veterinary Nurse

Thank you for vising The Veterinary nurse and reading our archive of expert clinical content. If you would like to read more from the leading peer-reviewed journal for veterinary nurses, you can start your subscription today for just £26.

Subscribing will enable you to:

  • Stay up-to-date with current thinking and best practice in veterinary medicine
  • Enhance your knowledge and understanding of all key clinical topics
  • Achieve the mandatory requirement of 45 hours' documented CPD over a three-year period
Subscribe now

Already registered? - Sign in here

Download Now

Keep up to date with The Veterinary Nurse!

Sign up to The Veterinary Nurse's regular newsletters and keep up-to-date with the very latest clinical research and CPD we publish each month.