Rabbits in a hutch?

Question

I hear that if you keep your pet rabbits claws trimmed they won't dig holes, is this true? I am building a hutch for my bunnies but would like to avoid having wire on the ground, as this seems like it would be uncomfortable on their little paws. Any help with rabbits would be very much appretiated. Also are there any foods that are toxic to rabbits that they shouldn't be feed?

Answer 1

It depends on the personality of the rabbit, some like to dig and some don't really care for it. But you should keep their claws trimmed anyways, it's more comfortable for them that way. In nature, they wear their claws down by digging.

Wire floor is very unconfortable!! It will give them sores on their feet over time. Please, don't give them wire floor!

So, visit the rabbit haven site it will help you out.
Check out the site www.rabbithaven.org and they have plenty of GOOD, information about how to keep rabbits. They've been caring for rabbits for many many years. A happy healthy rabbit will need a good sized hutch and time to run and play in a room or outdoors.

http://www.adoptarabbit.com/articles/packet/abcvegi.html is a site for rabbit safe foods. A good list.

Do not listen to anyone that tells you rabbits only need pellets. Pellets were created for people raising rabbits for meat and wanted them to gain weight quickly.

An ideal rabbit diet: rabbit has constant access to fresh, clean hay (usually timmothy), access to pellets, fresh veggies everyday. Clean water every day. Treats sparingly. Your rabbit will live much longer and be healthier like this.

Treats they sell at the pet store are usually crap. They are too sugary and will make your animal fat, and aren't really meant for rabbits. Especially yogurt drops.

**If these are your first rabbits, probably no one has told you to get them spayed/neutered. Please do, if you're not planning to breed them. And you don't really need to breed them since there are many rabbits in shelters already.

Unspayed females are much, much more likely to get ovarian cancer and die young. Please spay your females.

Un-neutered males will "spray". (Urinate over a wide area) And will be more agressive, dig more, hump things. Please neuter your males.


-- if you feed your rabbits pizza crust and fruit loops, they will be unhealthy and fat! Please don't do that! See the website for foods I listed above.

Answer 2

Yes they won't dig but I think you should put wire there it doesn't hurt there little paws I asked the vets and they like it if you put Timothy hay down on the wire.The only thing you shouldn't feed it is wild berries they get sick from that.They like lettice better than carrots also they like pizza crust,fruit loops,and the top of carrots so if you go to the grocery store go to the produce section and ask for a box of the tops of carrots and they will give you a big cardboard box filled with them.Also if it is hot outside you should set up a fan or give them a water bottle don't give them a ice pack because they might chew on it and it will burst which is bad for them.Also you should get them a lot of toys and you should get them a leaf so you can walk them in the grass but don't walk them on the street they are scare of cars ans the concrete burns there paws and make sure there tail doesn't get wet because they could die from that.

Answer 3

You should keep them in an off-the-ground hutch. If they're not off the ground, something could attack them...dogs especially. The wire doesn't hurt their feet...even if it does you should have a nesting box in there for them to sleep in with straw in it...so they can get off of the wire if they need to.

I'm not sure what not to feed rabbits, but I do know what to feed them. Basically store bought rabbit pellets should be the staple diet. You should also provide a salt lick. For treats they like clover, lettuce, carrots, etc.

Answer 4

You should really keep your rabbits inside your houe. If you are concerned about smell then you can teach them to use a litter box and if you get it spayed or neutered then that will help with hormones. When rabbits are outside they face a lot of problems like heat stroke, hypothermia, predators (cats, dogs, people, foxes, birds, etc.) and flystrike.

Trimming her nails won't prevent digging its a natural thing. Don't put her on wire because she doesn't have paw pads like a dog or cat and it will hurt her. You can find approved rabbit foods at this website. http://www.rabbit.org

Answer 5

no this is NOT true.......... build that hutch, be sure it is far enough UP off the ground to keep snakes & other predators out of it, they will chew off the toes of the bunny. also be sure to have wire on the bottom large enough for the poop to fall thru but small enough that their little feet do not get stuck in it.keep a WOODEN stick in there for them to chew on, or trim their teeth. keep a box in the hutch for them to climb into on cool nights, fill it with alfalfa (they love that)
if A FOOD CAN CAUSE YOU GAS do not feed it to your bunny. if your bunny gets the runs feed him 1 or 2 blackberry LEAVES.

feel free to email me if you have other questions.

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Answer 6

i think u just have to make it so that there is a fence that goes underground surrounding ur farm