Care for Your Rabbits
Published in association with the RSPCA, the UK’s leading animal welfare charity, this practical family guide is full of expert advice on how to choose a puppy and how best to look after it.If you already own or are planning to buy a rabbit this easy-to-use introductory guide is a must. Clearly illustrated with colour photographs throughout, it covers all aspects of daily care including housing, feeding, handling, hygiene, grooming, exercise and first aid.Published in association with the experts at the RSPCA, this book will help you ensure that you are giving your puppy the best possible start in life.
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HarperCollinsPublishers 1 London Bridge Street London SE1 9GF
First published 1985 as Care for your Rabbits by William Collins Sons & Co Ltd
This new edition published 2015
© Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals 2015
RSPCA name and logo are trademarks of RSPCA used by HarperCollinsPublishers Limited under licence from RSPCA Trading Limited. From every book sold 5% of HarperCollinsâ proceeds from sales will be paid to RSPCA Trading Limited which pays all of its taxable profits to the RSPCA. Registered in England and Wales, Charity No. 219099
The RSPCA is registered in England and Wales, Charity No. 219099
Front cover image: RSPCA
This book has been compiled on the basis of expert advice and scientific research. To the best of our knowledge it is correct at the time of going to press. The information contained in this book is intended only as a guide. If you are unsure, or you have any concerns about your pet(s), you must speak to a vet, who will be able to give you advice that is appropriate for your individual animal(s).
The Animal Welfare Act 2006 applies to England and Wales. Similar separate legislation covers Scotland and Northern Ireland, so owners must fulfil the same legal duties of care.
A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library
All rights reserved under International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. By payment of the required fees, you have been granted the non-exclusive, non-transferable right to access and read the text of this e-book on screen. No part of this text may be reproduced, transmitted, downloaded, decompiled, reverse engineered, or stored in or introduced into any information storage and retrieval system, in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, now known or hereinafter invented, without the express written permission of HarperCollins.
Source ISBN: 9780008118280
eBook Edition © April 2015 ISBN: 9780008119225 Version: 2015-04-16
Contents
Copyright
Foreword
Introduction
Choosing the right type of rabbit for you
Types of rabbit
Buying rabbits
Biology
Your questions answered
List of Searchable Terms
Resources
About the Publisher
Owning rabbits can be incredibly rewarding and a great source of companionship. Pets can provide opportunities for social interactions, helping people feel less lonely and isolated. Growing up with pets also offers health benefits, and caring for an animal can help improve a childâs social skills, encouraging the development of compassion, understanding and a respect for living things. Having rabbits is, however, a huge responsibility and requires long-term commitment in terms of care and finances.
Before getting rabbits, it is important that time is taken to discuss the commitment and care required with all family members, and that everyone agrees to having and looking after rabbits. Bear in mind that once you have your rabbits there is a legal requirement under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 to care for them properly, so you must be sure that you will be able to do this throughout your rabbitsâ life. This means providing somewhere suitable for them to live, a healthy diet, opportunities to behave normally, the provision of appropriate company, and ensuring that they are well.
If you are able to care for rabbits properly and make the decision to go ahead, then please consider giving a home to some of the many rabbits currently in the RSPCAâs animal centres throughout England and Wales.
This book is based on up-to-date knowledge of rabbit behaviour and welfare approved by the RSPCA. It has been written to provide you with all the care information you need to keep your rabbits happy and healthy throughout your lives together.
We hope you enjoy it.
Samantha Gaines BSc (Hons) MSc PhD
Alice Potter BSc (Hons) MSc Lisa Richards BSc (Hons) Jane Tyson BSc (Hons) MSc PhD Animal behaviour and welfare experts, Companion Animals Department, RSPCA
Owning and caring for a pair or group of rabbits can be very rewarding. It is also a big responsibility and a long-term commitment. You will need to think carefully about lots of different things before you decide whether you are able to give rabbits the care and attention they need. Here are some of the issues you need to consider:
Rabbits have complex needs
The biology and behaviour of pet rabbits is very similar to those of wild rabbits. This means they have very complex needs and although they are traditionally thought of as good pets for children, rabbits are not easy to look after well, so an adult must always be responsible for ensuring the rabbits are properly handled and cared for. Think very carefully about whether keeping rabbits fits in with your lifestyle. You will need to make sure that you can meet all their welfare needs â this includes providing suitable accommodation that is cleaned regularly, feeding them every day, as well as spending time grooming and interacting with them.
