Rabbits

First of all, let’s get one thing straight . . . a rabbit is not a rodent. 

Although rabbits are seen by many people as rodents, they are actually small mammals in the Leporidae family. There are resemblances between both species though, such as long front incisors.

Another similarity is that their offsprings are born naked (no hair) and grow very quickly to be independent creatures.

There are many different breeds of rabbits throughout the world, each with different types of fur, as well as colours. They are divided into two groups: the group of use which is the rabbits bred for meat or fur, and the group of luxury which is the rabbits kept as pets.

Naturally, I will write about the latter.

The rabbit makes a lovely pet which can be kept indoors, as well as outdoors. The females do have a period in the year where they can be a little bit more aggressive, but, for the most part and especially the males are very nice to handle. They are suitable as a first pet for a child, but not for the really young ones, like under five years of age.

The smaller breeds, which are hardly found here in Crete, tend to be a little wild, but the rabbits from around one kilo are friendly and even-tempered.

It is even possible to house train a rabbit to use only its cage for a toilet so your house will remain clean. They can also learn their name and can play with special toys . . . in short, they can do a lot more than one would normally expect from a rabbit.

If you decide to take a rabbit, but don’t want to spend a lot of time with the animal, it is better to take two of them, as they like the company, and will not have to be alone all the time.

Of course, it is better to take two of the same sex, for obvious reasons . . . since male and female rabbits tend to multiply like . . . well, rabbits.

If you get them at the same time, they will already be used to each other and will not fight. But, if you prefer to keep them separately, you could simply put the two cages side by side so they can enjoy each other’s company.

Rabbits have a complicated and sensitive bowel system, and must be fed raw fiber all the time, such as a good type of hay, which is cleaned from all other dried plants and be chemical free.

In addition to the hay, they need a little bit of prepared rabbit food every day – not too much though as a rabbit must never get too fat.

Also, you can give your pet rabbit fresh food, such as carrot, apple, pear, endives, kale and parsley – all very healthy, provided of course they are grown organically and are washed well. Also a piece of dried bread or special rabbit snacks are good to give between meals. But, never feed them too many snacks, and only after they have eaten their normal food.

Of course, fresh water must always be available next to your rabbit’s food.

With good food and a regular health check up, a pet rabbit can easily live up to five years, and a maximum of 10 years.

Enjoy your pet rabbit.