Rabbits: The Basics

• The average life span of a rabbit is six years. Good care and a healthy environment can add four or more years to your rabbits life.

• First-time mothers should be monitored as they often have poor mothering instincts. This generally improves after their first litter.

• Good air quality is important to the well-being of rabbits. Fresh air is a must. Ammonia build-up or high moisture content can lead to respiratory problems.

• Water is a rabbit's most important nutrient. Rabbits drink twice as much water as they eat. If they do not drink, they won't eat.

• Protect your rabbits from cold drafts and wet, blowing winds.

• Rabbits should be fed hay free-choice. They need the fibrous roughage in their diet in order to maintain a healthy digestive system.

• Feeding programs should be designed based on breed, management, sex, environment, and genetic potential.

• The gestation period for rabbits range from 30-32 days.

• An altered rabbit is a happier rabbit to live with.
- Altered rabbits are healthier and live longer than unaltered rabbits.
- Spayed rabbits make better companions. They are calmer, more loving, and are less likely to show destructive (digging, chewing) and aggressive (biting, circling, growling) behavior after surgery.
- Altered rabbits can safely have a friend to play with and will not contribute to the rabbit overpopulation problem.