How does it feel when you decide to get a new pet bunny?Are you nervous? You don’t have to be because it is not as hard as you think.If you are eagerly waiting to pick a bunny and raise it, you have come to the right place. Whether you are planning to get one or are new to rabbit parenting, there are certain things you need to be aware of.Anxious about how to prepare for your new bunny friend? Well, you could start with getting your bunny a large cage. You must be wondering why you need a large cage for a tiny bunny. Do not underestimate the small size of a bunny, because a rabbit needs space. Full grown older rabbits will need a lot of space, so it is important to think about this when you get a cage for your baby bunny. If you get a large one to begin, you won’t have to replace it later.Next, do not forget to rabbit-proof your house. Like with babies, puppies, or little cats, there are certain things in your home that need to be taken care of for a rabbit so as to avoid any accidents. If you are planning to keep the rabbit in an enclosed space, you don’t have to worry about rabbit-proofing the whole house.Once you have finished setting up the place, what you need to get is hay, and you need to get plenty of it too. Hay is the staple diet of rabbits, and you can never have enough of it. Getting Timothy hay is an excellent way to start. In addition to hay, you could get your rabbit some fresh food like vegetables and fruits. You could get them some celery, cilantro, carrots, cabbage, or a mix of healthy veggies that are not toxic to rabbits. Fruits like berries, kiwis, and pineapples could be the little treats you give your rabbit.Now that your rabbit has plenty of space to live and lots of food to munch on, what you need to consider is litter training. Rabbits are going to pee and poop just like your other pets. It is important that you train them from day one itself. If you are getting a grown rabbit, it can be trained at any age. Buying a litter box is very important, as well as a food and water bowl too. Now that you have food and shelter, it is playtime. Toys are important because rabbits are highly social. You need to make sure they have enough playtime, otherwise rabbits can end up depressed.Preparing to receive a bunny is not that hard. Now, once you get your bunny, is there anything else you need to keep in mind? What about rabbit vaccinations? Does your pet require rabbit vaccinations? Keep reading to know more.Are you planning on becoming a rabbit parent? Do you know everything you need to know about rabbits? If you are interested in this article why not also read more articles about rabbits like do rabbits bite, or do rabbits make noise here on Kidadl?How often do rabbits need vaccinations?It is always advisable to get any pet vaccinated. When it comes to rabbits, it is the same. House rabbits can be vaccinated, and they need vaccinations. Vaccinating rabbits is important because it ensures that they are protected from many deadly diseases. Whether you keep them in a cage inside your house or in a hutch outside, it is a necessity that you get them vaccinated as they are prone to infections from you, your other pets, or any other animal.When your bunny is five weeks old, you can start with the first doses. Booster shots are required and should be administered every 6-12 months. Vaccinations against Rabbit Viral Haemorrhagic Disease (RHD) and Myxomatosis are available for rabbits.Although rabbits can be infected with rabies, an approved vaccine against rabies for rabbits is not available. Therefore, you should take precautions to make sure that your rabbit is not exposed to any potential rabies carriers. Keep your rabbit away from other rabbits or any other outdoor animals.Rabbit vaccinations are available in pet stores or veterinary clinics. A single dose of the annual vaccination against Rabbit Viral Haemorrhagic Disease could cost you around $20. The one against Myxomatosis costs the same. Both these vaccines are to be taken yearly. Therefore, the annual vaccinations for a bunny could cost you around $40 in a year.Some rabbits can have adverse reactions to a vaccine. This is true for any animal. Since there is such a possibility, it is not advisable for you to vaccinate your own rabbit. A veterinary professional in a clinic can give the shot more safely, and since you are in the hospital, any adverse reaction can be taken care of there and then.It is more convenient and practical to let a professional do the job than you do it yourself. Remember to get your pet rabbits vaccinated in whichever safe method you find convenient and affordable. In the end, the only thing that really matters is that your rabbit is safe. After all, vaccinated rabbits stand a higher chance of living longer than the ones that are not.How to tell if a rabbit is sick?Like any other pet, your pet rabbit needs to go to the vet too. Occasional visits for veterinary care can ensure that your rabbit stays happy and healthy under your care.Since a rabbit is considered to be a pet, it is necessary that you find a vet that is able to take care of your rabbit. In short, the vet you choose should be knowledgeable, experienced, and capable of treating your rabbit. It is necessary that you consult a vet when you take in a rabbit for the first time. This initial checkup can confirm whether your rabbit is healthy and whether there are any possible medical conditions. You should know and understand your rabbit well to determine whether it needs to see the vet.Any changes in your rabbit’s behavior could mean possible discomfort or illness. You should be well-acquainted with your rabbit’s daily routine, eating or sleeping habits, and other behaviors. If your rabbit is eating, drinking, peeing, or pooping more or less than usual, if they are being less social or more scared, or gained or lost weight, it is a sign that your rabbit might be sick or something is troubling them.The vet will provide your rabbit with routine physical checkups, trimming of nails, and other treatments for changes in habits or diseases. You need to take rabbits to the vet’s if they show possible signs of illness.If the rabbit has a runny nose with its head tilted a bit, it could have snuffles, a respiratory disease that can a affect rabbit’s eyes, nose, lungs, skin, or ears. Another disease that your rabbit can get is pododermatitis. The symptoms include red or scabbed-up sores on the feet and should be treated by a vet.Keep checking your rabbit’s body daily for any minor changes. If your rabbit has dandruff, it probably is infected by fur mites. It could also be caused by dry skin. Dandruff can be particularly seen in a rabbit’s ears. You should book a visit to your vet and treat the issue.Do rabbits carry viruses?Pet rabbits are usually safe to pet and socialize with. They are somewhat unlikely to cause you any serious illness. However, that is not exactly the case with wild rabbits. Even though many rabbits do not transmit contagious diseases to human beings like mice or bats, it is possible that you may be infected if you come into contact with them.Even though you can get a domesticated rabbit vaccinated, it is impossible to get the whole wild rabbit population vaccinated. Dangerous diseases a rabbit can transfer to human beings include Tularemia and E. cuniculi. Wild rabbits can carry a few diseases that could be transmitted to humans, other animals, and even other rabbits. Taking precautions is your best bet.After all, prevention is better than cure. If you were to ever get scratched or bitten by your pet rabbit, it is possible to get infections. However, other than mild infections, there are other diseases you need to watch out for when interacting with a domesticated or wild rabbit.Tularemia is a serious bacterial disease and is known commonly as rabbit fever. It could result in ulcers, swollen lymph glands, or worse, pneumonia. It is possible for any other pet of yours like a cat, a hamster, or a guinea pig to catch the disease and spread it. It is also spread to human beings either directly by a rabbit that is infected or through insects or ticks that were in contact with the rabbit. This is more common in wild rabbits.Salmonella is a rare bacterial infection that rabbits could have. If transmitted to human beings, the disease could cause diarrhea and vomiting. Both, young children and the elderly are more prone to its adverse symptoms. It could be spread through an infected rabbit’s feces. The chances of transmitting salmonella is greater in wild rabbits than in domesticated ones.Ringworm is another infection that is common among pets. This fungal infection affects the skin and scalp, causing rashes. It could be transmitted from pets to human beings or vice versa via petting. These could be transmitted via a rabbit’s excreta as well. If not properly disposed of, the excreta of a diseased rabbit can still have ringworms after many years.The fungal parasite E. cuniculi is one of the most serious and dangerous infections your rabbit can get and possibly transmit. The symptoms vary from severe neurological disorders and paralysis to no symptoms at all. This parasite could be transmitted to any other pet you may have and yourself or any other human who comes in contact with the infected rabbit’s urine. Although it does not cause any severe infections in other mammals with a decent immunity, it is still a potential transmittable disease. This infection could be transferred from mother rabbits to her bunnies too.Tetanus is another disease that could possibly be transmitted from rabbits. Toxic bacteria that get into your body via deep cuts and wounds cause this disease which affects the nervous system and results in muscle contractions. An infected rabbit can spread it through its bites. Fortunately, this disease can be prevented by vaccinations even though there is no cure.Snuffles is a respiratory disease caused by bacteria. This infection could lead to severe conditions in a rabbit if medical help is not sought. There could be cold-like symptoms, while it is also possible to show no symptoms. It is caused by either the bacteria Pasteurella multocida or Bordetella bronchiseptica. Although uncommon in human beings, this infection spreads through direct contact or rabbit bites. However, the bacteria could affect dogs and guinea pigs too. Therefore, you need to take precautions if you have either of these pets, along with a rabbit that is infected.When talking about potential diseases that a rabbit can transmit, it is impossible to rule out rabies. It is possible for rabbits to carry and transmit it, although it is highly unlikely for it to be transmitted to humans from either a pet or wild rabbit. Most of the time, a rabbit is killed because of the scratches or bites it received before it could transmit the disease.Even with all these possibilities of getting a viral, fungal, or bacterial disease from your rabbit, the chances of you getting them are actually low. You should take extra care while handling your rabbit and not forget the regular visits to your vet.Remember not to let your rabbits around your food. You should wash your hands properly before and after you touch them. If your bunny is ill, take precautions to minimize the chances of any transmission to you or your other pets, including other rabbits, if you have any. If you get bitten, clean the wound and treat it appropriately. If the bite is severe, seek professional help. Avoid contact with your bunny’s excreta. Keeping everything clean and hygienic is always a good idea.Is it safe to pick up a wild rabbit?In general, rabbits are not a fan of being picked up and being held in the air for a while. It is essential for a pet rabbit to get used to being picked up from a very young age. Sometimes, it is unavoidable that you pick up a rabbit.In these situations, you should take care not to scare it or make it feel threatened. If the rabbit you try to pick up is not used to being picked up, then there is a chance that it will bite, scratch, or kick you and try to run away. You should always keep in mind that under no circumstance should you drop a rabbit.If possible, while petting a rabbit, always keep it on the ground or on the surface of something so that the rabbit feels safe and, if need be, can run. Pet rabbits, generally, do not prefer being picked up, petted, or cuddled mid-air. With wild rabbits, do not even try.Rabbits, like many small animals, are basically prey animals. They are really cautious and, therefore, always feel safe and secure on the ground. Being on the ground, rather than being in someone’s arms, gives them an easier way to flee and escape.It is quite possible that even a pet rabbit will feel scared and nervous when picked up if it is not used to it. You should never pick up wild rabbits. The chances of them scratching or biting you is much higher than a domesticated rabbit. Wild rabbits are more likely to transmit diseases too. Therefore, refrain from picking up a wild one. However, when it comes to your domesticated rabbit, you can pick it up without getting scratched or bitten if you take precautions and do it the right way.You should not ever pick them up by their legs, tail, ears, or scruff. These creatures could be seriously injured as picking them up this way will result in them pulling away. The rabbit may end up with a fracture, dislocation, or muscle or soft tissue tear.If you can crouch down or sit on the floor and pet them, even better. This would ensure that if the rabbit tries to run away, it would not fall down and injure itself. Always remember that your rabbit is not a fan of heights. You should be patient with them and give them ample time to get used to being picked up and pampered in your arms.Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly facts for everyone to enjoy! If you liked our suggestions for Do rabbits need shots? See if your bunny can harm you, then why not take a look at are rabbits nocturnal, or rabbit habitat.
How does it feel when you decide to get a new pet bunny?
