Rabbit Care

Rodents vs. Rabbits

Used to be in the same family as rodents

Now they have their own (lagomorpha)

Rabbits have 4 upper incisor teeth

arranged in one pair behind the other

Rodents have two chisel-like incisor teeth

in each jaw
Uses
1. Meat

high in protein

low in cholesterol

low in fat

low in sodium
Uses
2. Research

produce disease-
fighting antibodies

study reproduction

research human
diseases
 Uses
3. Fur/Wool

- Normal
- Rex
- Angora
- Satin

4. Pets
Breeds
45 breeds

5 weight classes/groups

dwarf
small
medium
large
giant
 Housing/Equipment
Cage/hutch should be large enough for the
rabbit to move around

Wire cages are recommended

Large rabbits need a solid wood floor to

stand on to prevent sore hocks
 Care
Cold tolerant animals

Not good with

extremely hot weather

Need air movement

Block drafts in cold

weather
Feeding
Galvanized-metal
self-feeders

Water bowls or bottles

Commercial rabbit
food (pellets)
 Feeding
Do not feed a lot of
green lettuce

Dont feed too many

veg. or fruits

Coprophagy
Treats for Rabbits
Grass hay
Corn
Oats
Oatmeal
Carrots
Apple
Green beans
Banana
Pineapple
 Handling
Do not pick up by ears

Wear long sleeves

Be calm & quiet

 Terms
Male: Buck

Female: Doe

Young: Bunny

Newborn: Kit

Group: Herd
 Reproduction
Puberty: 5-8 months

Females need 16
hours of light to
reproduce

Place female in
males cage to mate
them (never other
way)
Reproduction
Gestation: 30-32 days

Kindling: birthing of
bunnies

Doe pulls fur from body to

make nest

Leave doe alone when

birthing

Weaning: 4-8 weeks

 Rabbit Breed PowerPoint/Report
Size
Color variations
Type of hair/fur
Instructions for Care/Grooming
General Characteristics
Cost (of animal + 10 items/food you need)
Uses Similar to the Dog
Breed and Cat
Breed Project-
submit in Drop Box
when complete
Rabbit Diseases
 Enteritis

inflammation of the Symptoms: dont eat,

intestinal tract drink a lot of water

common cause of death occurs 4 days

death in rabbits to 1 week after

caused by bacteria & broad-spectrum

unsanitary conditions antibiotics work as
treatment
Snuffles
Caused by an
organism (Pasteurella
multocida)

Symptoms: sneezing
with white discharge

Appears when
animals are stressed
 Wry Neck
Head is tilted to the
side

Caused by an
organism (Pasteurella
multocida)

Treatment: antibiotics
(hard to put in ear)
Ear Mites
Most common
external mite

Shaking of head,
flapping and
scratching ears

Treatment: mineral oil

for ears or ear drops
 Create an advertisement
campaign for one of the
uses for a rabbit
Rabbit Uses
Must have:
Assignment 1. visual advertisement
(magazine/newspaper/
internet ad)
AND
2. verbal
advertisement
(radio/TV)