Today, in many families, along with cats, dogs, birds and fish, charming creatures live - decorative rabbits. Reviews of these cute animals are enthusiastic. These kids are very calm and affectionate. They do not need complicated care, but give a lot of positive emotions to their owners.
Choose a bunny
Often experienced breeders are surprised: people come to buy an animal and at the same time do not know anything about it. What should be a two-month-old baby? What will he become when he grows up? What kind of care does he need? What health problems can a new family member have? Before acquiring an animal, try to learn more about it, only in this case you will be able to understand whether you are able to provide it with proper care and comfortable living conditions in your house.
Decorative rabbit - sizes
It is best to purchase such a charming baby from professional breeders who will provide you with the pedigree of the animal, all the documents. You can look at adult animals. If this is not possible, contact your pet store.
The main difference between decorative rabbits is their miniature size. Usually, an adult weighs no more than two and a half kilograms. There are even more miniature animals - decorative dwarf rabbits. Their weight does not exceed 1.5 kg. For comparison: a meat rabbit grows to 8 kg. A decorative baby at the age of two months (when it can be removed from the mother) weighs 300 grams, and a dwarf one is half as much.
A rabbit of a decorative breed can be distinguished by the length of the ears - it is no more than 3 cm (in an adult animal, their length increases to 5 cm). Rabbits of meat breeds have much longer ears.
We get a cage
You need to know that rabbits grow very fast. A cage should be bought immediately spacious, as for an adult animal. Your pet should lie quietly in it, stretched out in full length, stand on its hind legs and at the same time not touch the head of the cell ceiling. In addition, there should be a house for the baby in it - he sometimes wants to take a break from everyone and be alone. There should be a cage and a place for a tray, a drinking bowl and a feeder. It is advisable to select a pallet plastic, not lattice. The paws of the animal are not adapted to the net.
General content
The cool "weather" is much more than the heat, like decorative rabbits. Owner reviews about this are unambiguous: for these animals, a temperature of no higher than +18 degrees is preferable. The humidity should be 50%. Heat transfer in these animals occurs through the veins that are on the ears of animals. Therefore, if you notice that your pet is suffering from heat, wipe his ears with a cloth dipped in water. For the same purpose, you can put in a cage a plastic bottle with cold water (and even with pieces of ice).
Maintenance in the apartment
Regardless of whether you live in a private house or in an apartment, a rabbit is better to put in a cage. This animal is very timid, from fear it can clog into any corner and it will be very difficult to find.
Hold it in your hands very tightly. This very mobile and "nimble" creature is a decorative rabbit. Breeds, photos we presented to you in our article. Owners of these animals should be aware that their pets have a very fragile spine. A jump from a height of human growth can be fatal for him.
Try to isolate your pet from talking with a cat or dog. They can chase after the baby, but for him such a marathon is not always useful. You should not get a rabbit if there are small children in the house (under 6 years old). Children are curious, they can accidentally injure an animal, grabbing it by vulnerability - skin, ears. Nervous atmosphere is not good for anyone, including the rabbit. The animal may become sick and wither.
Diseases of decorative rabbits
Unfortunately, these cute animals are also prone to disease, like all living things. The most common diseases include:
- myxomatosis;
- VGBK;
- diarrhea;
- constipation;
- bloating;
- diabetes;
- subdermitis.
Myxomatosis is an acute viral disease that is very dangerous for rabbits. It is necessary to vaccinate a rabbit from him at an early age. The disease is transmitted through the bites of insects and fleas from a sick animal to a healthy one; it can occur in two forms.
Edematous is the most dangerous. After an incubation period (5-7 days), when no symptoms appear, the animal shows signs of purulent conjunctivitis. Large tumors appear on the head and in the genital area. The rabbit refuses to eat, breathing quickens, ears are lowered. In 90% of cases, the animal dies on day 10. Disease prevention - only vaccination.
Nodular form is less common. In a sick animal, elastic seals appear under the skin and on the skin.
VGTBK is another formidable viral disease. It is transmitted from a sick animal both through direct contact and by an insect bite. The disease is fatal. There is no treatment yet. Usually, a healthy rabbit seems to make several convulsive movements of its paws and dies. Only vaccination will protect your baby.
Diabetes mellitus is a pancreatic disease in which insulin production is impaired or completely absent. The examination is carried out by a veterinarian in the clinic, and he also prescribes treatment. Owners should pay attention to symptoms such as increased thirst, excessive urination, weight loss with normal appetite, and clouding of the pupils.
Diseases of ornamental rabbits should be prevented. The main role in this is played by timely vaccination. If you notice that the rabbit is behaving unnaturally, but you don’t know the reason, urgently bring him to the clinic. In 80% of cases of timely treatment for veterinary aid, decorative rabbits recover. Owner reviews are proof of this. Fans of these animals talk about the fact that new drugs are constantly appearing that help fight even the most terrible diseases.
Decorative rabbits - breeds
Today, there are more than 60 breeds of decorative rabbits. In our article we will tell you about some of them.
Dutch rabbit
One of the oldest and most popular breeds of decorative rabbits. Their weight ranges from 2.2 to 3.3 kg.
These animals have a dense body of cylindrical shape. Color - "Dutch butterfly." This means that the ears, cheeks and lower body are the same color, and the rest of the coat is the other. They can be black, blue, brown, etc.
The lop-eared decorative rabbit (Dutch) is another breed. This is a representative of the sheep rabbit variety. The ears of babies do not immediately become hanging - up to 1-2 months they are the most common. Weight up to 1500 grams.
Today, a decorative rabbit is very popular as a pet. Breeds, photos of these funny animals can often be seen on the pages of print media. Most often, interest in them is caused by an unusual appearance.
Dwarf ram
Having appeared in the middle of the last century, this breed conquered Europe. The Netherlands is the place where these decorative rabbits appeared. Reviews of these extraordinary creatures are enthusiastic, the hosts talk about their "courage." Unlike their little brothers, they are not fearful, and therefore especially attractive. And the reason for their courage is that the hanging ears of the baby block the ear canals, and the rabbits do not hear very well.
"Lamb" have a slightly elongated head, which looks very much like a lamb. Nose with a small hump. Ears drooping. The color is very diverse. They are larger than other dwarf breeds. Their weight does not exceed 3 kg.
These are quite expensive decorative rabbits - the price of a two-month-old rabbit is 1800-2000 rubles.
Fox rabbits
This is a very beautiful decorative domestic rabbit. Caring for him is somewhat more complicated, since he has a luxurious fur coat. The length of the coat reaches seven centimeters. Moreover, such a cover is only on the body. On the head it is very short. As you know, combing such a pet will have every day. Weight from 900 gr. up to 1.5 kilograms.
Angora breed
Another very beautiful decorative domestic rabbit, care of which is complicated by the presence of magnificent wool, which must be combed every day. The body of these animals is short, large head, small ears with downy tassels at the ends. Color white, black, gray, blue. Weight from 2.4 to 3.5 kg. Downy hair grows up to 22 cm.
Dwarf rex
This breed belongs to short-haired rabbits. Their fur resembles plush or velvet. These rabbits look very elegant, and it is hard to believe that they can weigh up to 4 kg.
The body of the animal is somewhat elongated, has a cylindrical shape. The eyes are large, the ears are set close together. The hind legs are much longer than the front. Representatives of this breed lack a mustache. On this basis, they are easy to distinguish even at birth.
The cost of decorative rabbits
If you are determined to purchase these cute animals, then you need to know that decorative rabbits, the price of which ranges from 600 to 4000 rubles, are estimated according to several parameters:
- breed;
- the presence of a pedigree;
- place of acquisition.
The cheapest animals can be purchased on the market. But here you are in danger of buying an animal of an unknown breed, too small or, conversely, large. Often unscrupulous sellers issue weekly rabbits for two months. In addition, the baby, so early torn from his mother, may be unhealthy.
Owner reviews
Today, many people start decorative rabbits. It would seem that this is a completely "useless" animal. Rabbits do not guard the house, like dogs, do not catch mice, like cats, do not sing songs in the morning, like birds. What is their appeal?
Judging by the reviews of the owners, decorative rabbits are an amazing joy in the house. After all, it is only at first they are fearful. Having lived for some time in the family, they willingly go hand in hand. Many owners note the beneficial effects of these babies on the child. Children become more responsible, caring.