Rabbits!? Help?!?!?!

Question

im getting a new dutch rabbit soon and I would like some care tips for them...,.... Are they easy rabbit to litter train?

are they easy rabbits to teach how to use a harness?

are they good mothers? and anything else you can tell me about them. please add websites for me to look at too. thanks in advance!

Answer 1

Rabbits are generally easy to litter train. Young and intact rabbits may be harder because of age (unable to 'hold it'), and hormones. For the first few days, don't use a box, just let the rabbit choose where it wants to go. Then put the box in the same spot and put some soiled litter in it. Do not use cat litter (clumping or clay), use a recycled paper or wood pellet litter. You rabbit should get the idea that it goes in the litter box. Some rabbits like to have hay in the box so they can eat and go at the same time. For any accidents, clean it up and put it in the box. Clean pee with paper towel.

You don't really need to use a harness on a rabbit. But if you plan on taking your rabbit out in public or to places that are not safe, then a harness is a good idea. Use a cat H style harness or one made for rabbits (a mesh style one can work). Put it on your rabbit for about 20 min at a time or less to start. The rabbit will probably not like it and try to escape. Make sure the harness is tight enough so the rabbit cannot get out. The leash should be light, but strong. A small dog leash works well. You can't walk a rabbit like a dog. They hop around and you follow.

You should probably not be breeding. Rabbits can have a litter of 6-8 kits every month. Can you afford that? Are you able to find homes for all the kits? Can you afford the vet bills of something goes wrong? It is cheaper and better for the rabbit to get her spayed.

Rabbits have very sensitive digestive systems. They need to have unlimited hay, preferably timothy. They need good quality pellets. I like Oxbow, but they can be expensive and hard to find. You can give veggies, but not until the rabbit is 16 weeks old.

Rabbits need exercise. Let it out of the cage for at least 2 hours a day in a rabbit proofed room.  

Answer 2

Go to: http://www.dutchrabbit.com/

It is the American Dutch Rabbit Club's website. You should find a great deal of information there.

Answer 3

Introduce your rabbit to the body harness and leash over several days or weeks while indoors. Some rabbits will chew straight through the harness while others will be terrified and may hurt themselves trying to get aways from it. We have one rabbit who screams like he's being killed whenever we put a harness on him, so we can't take him outdoors because he is miserable when wearing the harness.

quote "My black dutch is almost a year old and such a bundle of joy. He was litter trained in about 2 days of our getting him"

hope this helps x