According to the House Rabbit Society, these lovely pets can live from 8 to 12 years. You do note that not all rabbit breeds are the same. Some breeds have a longer lifespan than other breeds. Just like man’s best friend, which is a dog, rabbits have a different lifespan. Like for instance, dwarf or miniature rabbit breeds tend to live longer compared to larger ones. Holland lops, mini lops, and other dwarf rabbits can live for more than 10 years.
By gaining knowledge about the lifespan of the rabbit breed you’ve chosen, you will know what kind of nutrition you’re going to provide them. Certain rabbits have specific nutritional requirements, and the truth is, the food items or meals that we are feeding our rabbits have a direct effect on their lifespan. If you want your beloved pet to live longer, then they must remain healthy. The healthier the rabbit is, the longer its lifespan.
Rabbit Lifespan and Proper Nutrition
Unfortunately, there are owners out there who have no clue what to feed their rabbits. We must provide them food or meals that can improve their overall health as they age. Adding supplements to their diet is highly recommended. We have to provide them sufficient vitamins and minerals. Giving them fibrous foods is also helpful since this prolongs their lifespan.
There are also commercial pellets that you can buy on the Internet today that can provide adequate nutrition to your rabbit. Be sure that you always check the label or gather more information about the commercial pellets before you buy them and give it to your pet. If this is your first time taking care of your rabbit, then we highly recommend that you do your research first. Asking for advice from experienced rabbit breeders is also a great idea.
It’s also important that we don’t only feed our rabbits with commercial pellets or food items. But we should also provide them with a wide variety of food items. This means that we can add hay, fruits, vegetables, and other healthy recipes to their diet. By providing them foods that contain sufficient vitamins and minerals, we are effectively improving their health, and as a result, we are prolonging their lifespan. Always remember that the healthier the rabbit is, the longer they can live and enjoy your company.
Healthy Activities and Mental Stimulation
These rabbits are not only cute, but they are also very playful. Aside from providing them healthy meals or diet plans. We should also make sure that our beloved pets can do physical activities. Rabbit owners need to understand that these creatures are natural hunters. They look for their food in the wild and can travel 3 miles a day. Our rabbits are happier and healthier if they can perform these sorts of activities.
This is why playing with your rabbit is very important. You don’t want to raise a rabbit and keep them inside the cage all their lives. If you want to increase their lifespan, you have to allow them to go outside and enjoy a large space. You must also buy them some toys or any items that they can chew. But before you buy a particular toy, you have to make sure first that you check its quality. The toy must be safe for them and should not contain any harmful chemicals.
Play and exercise can increase the lifespan of your rabbit. Keep in mind that a bored rabbit is a sad rabbit. You want them to enjoy their lives and make them feel safe and secured with you. You should pick them up, caress them, and play with them. These rabbits are like kids. They love to play, and they don’t want to get bored.
Providing the Right Environment
Aside from making sure that you’re feeding your rabbits with the right food items and that you stimulate them mentally and physically, you also have to ensure that you provide them the best environment. Setup an environment that is safe for them to play and explore. Make sure that the environment is clean.
Before you pick them up and allow them to play outside their cage, make sure that the environment is already prepared. This means that you have to cover all the wires inside your home. You should also make sure that you move any books from the bottom shelves. Bear in mind that these rabbits love to chew on different items – including your furniture. This is because the teeth of the rabbit continue to grow as they grow older. Thus, they need something to chew on to relieve pain or tingling on their teeth. It also has become part of their nature or instinct to chew and chew.
Aside from making sure that the environment is safe for your rabbit, you also have to make sure that they are clean themselves. You have to groom them once in a while. If you brought a hairy or furry rabbit, then you need to make sure that you groom them. Try to cut tangled hairs and make sure that you also cut their sharp nails once in a while. You should also check for any flea infestations. By promoting cleanliness around your home and by making sure that your rabbit stays clean all the time, you are adding more years to their life since you are preventing any diseases or sicknesses brought about by bacteria or viruses.
Veterinary Care
Rabbit owners must also value the importance of veterinary care. If you want to improve their lifespan, then you have to know more about their health condition. The best way for you to check whether or not your rabbit is healthy and happy is by going to a reputable veterinarian. The veterinarian will conduct a physical examination or test to check if your rabbit is healthy or not.
If your rabbit is unhealthy, then your veterinarian will be able to provide the best treatment options. The vet will also provide you tips and pieces of advice on how you can help your rabbit achieve good health. Don’t wait for your rabbit to get sick before you contact a veterinarian. Be sure that you already have the vet’s number before anything happens.
And before you trust a particular veterinarian, you have to make sure that you check their reputation, credentials, and background history. You can visit their website or go directly to their clinic and ask them more about their training and experience. It’s recommended that you choose those veterinarians that have been providing care and treatment to countless rabbits for more than 5 years already.
Another way of checking the reputation of the veterinarian is by reading reviews and feedback written by your fellow rabbit owners. The products and services of the veterinarian should receive many positive reviews and feedback from his or her clients. If you think that the veterinarian has received too many bad reviews, then it’s time for you to look for other professionals who can take good care of your beloved pets.
Final Thoughts
By following these tips, your rabbit will surely be able to live long. Don’t forget that a happy and healthy rabbit is a reflection of how good and caring the owner is. If you’re new to rabbit raising and breeding, we encourage you to do some little research. Make sure that you know what you’re doing and that you have an idea on how to keep your rabbit safe, happy, and healthy.
Asking for advice from your friends or families who have bought and raised rabbits before is also a good idea. Listen to the advice of the experts, and it’s a guarantee that you’ll learn a lot from them. Taking care of your rabbit is easy if you keep in mind these things. Your pet rabbit is indeed a cute, adorable, sweet, and lovely company. One of the goals of every rabbit owner should be able to increase the lifespan of their beloved pets.
