Rabbits are very affectionate pets. They are cheerful, dear and intelligent and they love the company of people. Rabbits originate from southwestern Europe and northwestern Africa. According to historical evidents, ancient Romans were the first to domesticate rabbits. These cuddly sweet fellows had a various mythological and symbolic meaning in different cultures. In Greek mythology, for example, the rabbit was the favorite animal of the Aphrodite, the goddess of love. It was the symbol of fertility.
In addition, rabbits are often the symbol of love, faith and happiness. If you consider joining this long eared buddy to your family, keep in mind that you provide it all the proper conditions and nutrition.
There are various species of rabbits, but dwarf size and small rabbits are the most popular pets. They come in many color combinations of the fur. Rabbits are gentle furry animals and they love to cuddle. The best advice is to hold them in your hands or lap from an early age, so they can get used to people. You should always treat your bunny gently and with love. Unlike cats, they don’t like to be raised by grabbing their ears or skin behind the neck. If you want to pick it up, just place one hand under the lower body and the other under the breast. Doing this, you make your little friend feel safe and secure.
All the pets are looking for attention and tenderness, but, as cats, rabbits seek attention only when it suits them the most. A rabbit would seek less attention in the beginning. It will take some time to gain the trust with the owner. However, keep in mind that a rabbit will never be in the mood for constant swinging in the hands or kneading in the lap.
Basic guidelines of rabbits’ diet
Proper nutrition always means a healthy and happy pet. A rabbit requires to provide it all the necessary ingredients for healthy and normal development, as well as every other pet. Rabbit’s diet should consist of fresh hay, commercial mixture of seeds from a pet shop and a lot of fresh vegetables and herbs, such as parsley, carrots, basil, broccoli leaves, flowers and leaves of dandelions, lettuce (see our article on rabbits eating lettuce), chard and green wheat. Hay is the base of a good rabbit’s diet and it should be provided from the very beginning, because it is important for its digestion. They will also need fresh and clean water. It should always be available and changed daily.
Rabbits also love raw fruit, which is good for their health. Apples, pears and bananas are good choice. Oranges, including peel, peaches, pineapples, plums, blueberries and other fruits are also suitable. The most important thing is that all the raw fruits and vegetables be thoroughly washed and dried before serving.
Peanuts are not good for rabbits
Nuts are very high in fat and they do not serve any purpose to your pet’s health. In fact, they are extremely fattening and can cause many serious problems with their health. Nuts are heavy for rabbit’s gentle belly and it could have really serious difficulties in digesting it, especially if overfed.
It is not advisable to give your bunny peanuts or peanut butter, as well as other nuts. They don’t get any health benefit from peanuts. Actually, peanuts could make them sick and can cause all kinds of health problems. Too many peanuts would certainly lead to obesity. However, some owners have probably given their rabbits small amounts of nuts as a treat, not causing any alarming health issues. Keep in mind that peanuts are just not a good option to give it as a treat. There are many healthier types of food you can choose. The best advice is to reward it with a small portion of fruits and vegetables.
Rabbit’s delicate tummies cannot handle nut food; they don’t have a natural ability to digest them. Peanuts do not have any nutritional value for them, they would just make them feel ill and gain weight. This rule applies to peanuts and all other sorts of nuts. Avoid peanuts in order to keep your cuddly little friend healthy and happy. Keep to raw fruits and vegetables, but also in a moderate amount.
