| Myth 1: |
Rabbits are great, low-maintenance starter pets.
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Reality: Although they don't need to
be walked like dogs, rabbits are anything but
low-maintenance. Their quarters need daily cleaning, and
fresh food and water must be offered daily, including a
salad of well-washed, dark-green leafy vegetables. Certain
rabbit health problems can become chronic and can require
regular (and sometimes expensive) veterinary treatment. To
complicate the picture, veterinarians skilled in rabbit
medicine are often hard to find.
|
| Myth 2: |
Rabbits only live a year or two, so no long
commitment is necessary. |
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Reality: Well cared-for indoor
rabbits can live 7-10 years, and some live into their teens.
This is approximately the same life span as some breeds of
dogs, and requires the same long-term commitment.
|
| Myth 3: |
Rabbits do not need veterinary care the way dogs and
cats do. |
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Reality: Although rabbits in the USA
do not require annual vaccinations, nevertheless, regular
veterinary checkups help to detect small problems before
they become big ones. Companion rabbits should be spayed/
neutered by veterinarians experienced in rabbit surgery.
This not only reduces hormone-driven behaviors such as
lunging, mounting, spraying, and boxing, but also protects
females from the risk of uterine cancer, the incidence of
which can exceed 50% as rabbits grow older.
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| Myth 4: |
Rabbits are happiest outdoors in a backyard hutch. |
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Reality: Rabbits kept outdoors in
hutches are often forgotten and neglected once the initial
novelty wears off. Far too frequently, they are relegated to
a life of "solitary confinement" and are subject to extremes
of weather, as well as to diseases spread by fleas, ticks,
flies, and mosquitoes all of which can adversely affect
their health and their life span. They can die of heart
attacks from the very approach of a predator - even if the
rabbit is not attacked or bitten. Rabbits are gregarious
creatures who enjoy social contact with their human
caretakers. The easiest way to provide social stimulation
for a companion rabbit is to house him indoors, as a member
of the family.
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| Myth 5: |
Rabbits are rather dirty, and have a strong odor.
|
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Reality: Rabbits are immaculately
clean, and, once they have matured and are spayed/ neutered,
they go to great lengths not to soil their living quarters.
They will readily use a litter-box, and if the box is
cleaned or changed daily, there is no offensive odor
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| Myth 6: |
Rabbits love to be picked up and cuddled, and do not
scratch or bite. |
| |
Reality: Although some rabbits
tolerate handling quite well, many do not like to be picked
up and carried. If rabbits are mishandled they will learn to
nip to protect themselves. If they feel insecure when
carried they may scratch to get down. Unspayed/ unneutered
rabbits often exhibit territorial behavior such as "boxing"
or nipping when their territory is "invaded" by the owner.
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| Myth 7: |
Rabbits – especially dwarf breeds – do not require
much living space. |
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Reality: Rabbits have powerful hind
legs designed for running and jumping. They need living
space that will permit them ample freedom of movement even
when they are confined. Dwarf rabbits tend to be more active
and energetic than some larger breeds, and require
relatively more space.
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| Myth 8: |
Rabbits can be left alone for a day or two when
owners travel. |
| |
Reality: Rabbits need daily
monitoring. Problems that are relatively minor in some
species (e.g. a day or two of anorexia) may be
life-threatening in rabbits, and may require immediate
veterinary attention.
|
| Myth 9: |
Rabbits do fine with a bowl of rabbit food and some
daily carrots. |
| |
Reality: The single most important
component of a rabbit’s diet is grass hay, which should be
provided, free-choice, daily. Rabbit pellets should be given
only in very limited quantities. |
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