When purchasing a home for your new pet you have a choice of an indoor rabbit cage or one of our strong outdoor waterproof rabbit hutches. The outdoor rabbit hutches available at Ideas-4-Pets have solid floors and a wire front.

Whichever choice of indoor rabbit cage or outdoor rabbit hutches you choose we recommend you place the rabbit hutch away from direct sunlight.

If you have decided to purchase an indoor rabbit cage keep it away from any cold draughts.

A rabbit can take a couple of days to settle into their new home but will need to feel wanted and loved. They love to have their noses and ears gently rubbed and are in heaven if you take the time to let them sit close to you. However, they can become lonely if left on their own for a long time.

Pet rabbit care is an easy to follow routine:

Feed your pet rabbit good quality rabbit food. You can add a few bits of celery, broccoli or curly kale to their rabbit bowl as a treat. Do not give them too much lettuce as it can result in an upset stomach.

Food bowls should be made of earthenware and not plastic. Make sure they have fresh water and keep their bedding clean.

These cute and adorable pets are a far cry from their sewer dwelling cousins and deserve to be pampered with lots of guinea pig products. At Ideas4Pets we strive to bring you the very best quality guinea pig products to spoil your pet with and keep him healthy, happy and safe.

Pampered pigs

The first thing you need to do when you have or are getting a guinea pig is to make sure it has an adequate home. At Ideas4Pets, we have a wide range of different housing available for your guinea pig. You can choose from indoor and outdoor hutches and cages or even one of each for a bit of variety. We have hutches available ranging from cosy to extra large.

Other guinea pig products you need to invest in include food and water containers, a small pet carrier and cage or hutch bedding to make your new friend comfy. You may also want to invest in an exercise run or pen so that your guinea pig can get some exercise outside its hutch or cage. We have a variety of play and exercise pens and runs ranging from small to very large.

These are ideal for when you or the children want to play with your guinea pig outside. Our guinea pig products offer you top quality and value for money when investing in a furry friend’s happiness.

Furry care giving

Pet rabbit care is vital to ensure that your rabbit lives a long life. For that you need an adequate rabbit cage with enough room, ventilation and insulation. The rabbit cage or hutch should offer your rabbit shelter from the elements, enough fresh air and lots of space. Ideas-4-pets offers you a wide range of big and smaller rabbit hutches and cages with or without runs attached.

Your rabbit should get fresh food and water daily, keeping treats for special occasions. An important accessory to your pet rabbit care when keeping an outside rabbit is a run cover. These are great for keeping out the sun and the rain. The hutch or cage needs to be cleaned regularly, and that includes the food and water containers, in order to ensure good rabbit hygiene.

You should also keep a close eye on your rabbit’s habits and behaviour so that you can pick up on any illness quickly. Pet rabbit care need not be difficult or a chore with the right hutch or cage and accessories for your rabbit.

Rabbits will live happily in outdoor rabbit hutches or indoor rabbit cages provided that you choose the right size for your rabbit and also allow him plenty of exercise around the house or in an exercise run. Rabbit owners must cater for all their rabbit’s physical and behavioural needs in order for him to remain happy and healthy.

When choosing a rabbit hutch for your pet, purchase the largest hutch you can afford and remember that the hutch should have a separate living area and sleeping area and make sure you allow your rabbit enough space to stand up on his hind legs as rabbits like to stretch up and check that their environment is safe.  Your rabbit would be most uncomfortable if he was hunched over all day or had his ears folded against the roof of his hutch.

The minimum recommended size for a rabbit hutch is 3 to 4 times the length of your rabbit so that he can take 3 or 4 hops.  Also, a relaxed rabbit will naturally lie fully stretched out so he needs the room to do this comfortably .  He also needs enough width to turn around easily in the hutch and enough height for him to sit on his hind legs comfortably. In addition, a large safe area or a rabbit run is required for his daily exercise.

It is essential that your rabbit has the room to stretch in all directions because a hutch that is too small can affect your rabbit’s health by causing spine problems, muscle wastage and obesity.

ideas-4-pets have recently introduced the Bunny Shack which, if you have the space in your garden and want your pet rabbit to have the best, is great because it offers a good sized raised sleeping area and lots of space for him to hop around in safety. 

Rabbits are therefore a popular option. You can keep them indoors or outdoors. They can make cute, cuddly and friendly pets that can bring you endless hours of pleasure and companionship. However, you cannot just get a bunny and hope for the best. Getting any pet needs to be a well thought out operation, no less so with rabbits than another kind of pet.

Bringing home the bunny

Having rabbit hutches is a given for a rabbit owner. You need a place to keep your pet safe, secure and happy. Choosing the right one out of the many rabbit hutches available is another story. You need to decide on a budget of how much you can spend on your rabbit hutch. You can’t compromise on the size of hutch though because your pet’s health and happiness depends on having enough space.

Rabbit hutches cannot be tiny – even if your rabbit is to start off with. Baby rabbits soon grow up and so you need a hutch which will easily house a large adult rabbit. Rabbit hutches need to be roomy enough for them to be comfortable and have separate areas for feeding, drinking, sleeping and toileting. Just like you wouldn’t like living in a small cubicle, your rabbit won’t either.

Rabbit hutches should be designed to require the least effort for cleaning and make the most use of available space.

A rabbit hutch should be approx. 3 times the length of your rabbit and have enough height to allow your rabbit to stand on its hind legs easily.  The smaller the rabbit, the less cage it requires although as with most pets, they need as much room as you can offer.  Therefore, the largest rabbit hutch you can afford or can fit in your garden will ensure you have a happier, healthier pet.

Even with a large rabbit hutch, your pet will need extra room to exercise so if your pet does not have the run of the garden then purchase a large rabbit run so that you rabbit can have plenty of room to hop around in.  Remember that rabbits need just as much room to hop around and play in winter as they do in summer !!

You will also need to purchase some straw or hay for your rabbit to bed down in and to eat and provide him with a good quality feed and access to plenty of clean, fresh water daily.  ideas-4-pets can provide you with a selection of hutches, rabbit runs and bedding to suit your requirements.

The Netherland Dwarf is the smallest domestic rabbit. Adult Netherland Dwarfs weigh around 2.5 pounds and their fur is very short and easy to maintain.  They can sometimes be a bit timid and shy compared to the lop and lionhead rabbits mentioned below, but with patience and lots of one to one care, they can be just as loving and make just as good pets as the lops and lionheads.

The Mini Lop is the smallest breed of Lop rabbit and an adult will weigh around 3.5 pounds.  The mini lop is a really docile, laid back rabbit and have excellent temperaments.  Because of this, they also make great house rabbits. Mini lops love attention and enjoy being picked up, handled and petted. They are very easy to house train and their short hair makes them ver yeasy to maintain. Although their ears droop to the side of their heads, their hearing is just as good as the standard straight eared rabbit.

The Dwarf Lop is a bit bigger and heavier than a Mini Lop but still makes an adoring, loving pet.  However, due to their larger size, they are not ideal pets for very young children when it comes to handling. An adult dwarf lop weighs around 4.5 to 5 pounds. Like the Mini lop, the Dwarf Lop is also very laid back and loves petting and cuddles. The Dwarf Lop is extremely loving and will provide you with plenty of unconditional love if you give him the interaction he deserves on a daily basis. They are just as easy as a smaller breeds to house-train so will make a wonderful house rabbit.

Some people tend to think that Lionheads are a large breed of rabbit, but in fact they are a small breed, around the same size as the Mini Lop. The weight of an average adult Lionhead is approx. 3.25 pounds.    Because of their size, they make an ideal sized rabbit for a child. Because their fur is short, although a bit thicker than that of a Lop, they are quite easy to maintain and look after. They have a mane around their face which is why they are known as Lionheads, but again, this is very easy to maintain and doesn’t require daily grooming.  Once a week should keep it clean and tidy and stop the formation of knots.  Your rabbit will love this attention and grooming is a good way to bond with him, even with short haired rabbits such as lops.  Lionheads have lovely temperaments and make great companions. Lionhead’s ears stand up rather than droop.

Lionhead Lops are a lop eared rabbit but sport a mane around their head/neck and ears. Their fur is not quite as thick as the straight eared Lionhead and is only around its head.  It’s fur tends to think out as the rabbit grows and undergoes the moult. Again, this breed is low maintenance apart from combing once a week to keep knots and tangles at bay. Again, the Lionhead Lop is a very laid back rabbit with an excellent temperament and will make wonderful house rabbit and companion. They love lots of attention and enjoy being picked up, cuddled and handled. Lionhead Lops are also very easy to house train. As they are a relatively new breed to the UK, their size and weight depends a lot on the parentage and pedigree of the rabbit.

If you hear a soft grinding of his teeth your rabbit is trying to you that he is happy and he will often do this when you are petting him on his forehead or behind his ears. He may also make a soft cooing noise which is another sound he makes when he is happy and content.

A loud thumping of your rabbit’s back feet could suggest several things – he could be frightened, he could be hoping to get some attention from your or he could feel angry. Some rabbits also do this when they are feeling really happy. You will just have to read what you think his mood is.

If you hear your rabbit hissing or growling, this is a sign that your rabbit is feeling threatened or concerned. If you hear your rabbit growling or hissing, it is likely that he is preparing to attack by scratching or biting. If this is the case, it is advisable to leave him alone until he calms down. Some rabbits do this if you approach them from behind when trying to get them out of their rabbit hutch.  Rabbits prefer to be approached from the front so that they can see you coming.

A loud squealing noise usually means that your rabbit is in extreme pain or is very frightened. Never ignore this noise as rabbits have been known to die of a heart attack when they are extremely frightened. Check your rabbit hutch for sharp edges.

A honking noise like a goose means that your rabbit is feeling annoyed or wants attention. If your rabbit is not neutered he may make this when being amorous towards you or a soft toy.

If your rabbit makes a light nudging with his nose, this is his way of greeting you and asking for attention.

Rabbits also leave their scent (you will not be able to smell it) by rubbing their chin on anything they want to mark as their territory. This includes you!

Some rabbits also lick your hands and face while they are being petted and this also may be a sign that you are very special to your pet. If your rabbit moves his jaw as if he is chewing it means that he is content and relaxed

If he eats his own droppings there is no need for you to be concerned as it is a natural behaviour and should not be discouraged. Rabbits need to digest some foods twice and they take these droppings directly from their bottoms. He might make a low pitched squeak when he does this, pushing out his bottom and tail and this means he is about to urinate.

If your rabbit jumps and twists around in the air while playing around in his rabbit run, this means he is overjoyed and thoroughly enjoying life. If he runs around your feet it means he is excited to see you but if not neutered this may also mean that your rabbit thinks you are an acceptable mate. However, if your rabbit nips at your ankles for attention, you should train him to stop by walking away whenever he does this and reward more polite behaviour by petting him, talking to him or giving him treats.

If your rabbit tugs on your clothes, he is asking for attention, he might also try to climb up your leg, or hop onto your lap, but if he lunges at you then he is telling you that he doesn’t want you around. If your rabbit hops a few steps away from you and turns his back to you but isn’t occupied with anything else and every so often turns his head to see if you are still watching it then it suggests that he is offended at something you’ve done. You can apologize to him by giving him a treat or petting him.

Rabbits love to have their faces petted and their cheeks rubbed. If your rabbit gives you any signs of fright, annoyance or attention-seeking behaviour then do this and you’ll probably be rewarded with the joyful sign of soft-tooth-grinding.

If your male or female rabbit appears to mate with your foot you can be assured that he or she is trying to gain dominance over you. In return, you should remove the rabbit and push his or her head to the ground, holding it there for 5 seconds or so. Never press too hard when doing this as a rabbit’s bones are very fragile and they can get hurt very easily.

If you have two different sex rabbits and the male starts grunting it is adviseable to move him away immediately unless you are attempting to breed them as a grunting male is a sure sign that he is attempting to mate or breed with the female.

A loud tooth grinding sound, which is very different from the gentle tooth purr of happiness described above, is indicitave of a rabbit in pain so if you hear this sound, check your rabbit for signs of obvious external injury and contact your vet immediately. Your rabbit could have a life threatening injury or internal issue that needs to be addressed immediately.

If two same-gender rabbits start circling each other it signals a fight but if two opposite-gender rabbits circle each other it probably means they are about to mate. If you don’t want baby bunnies, move one of them.

If your unneutered female rabbit begins pulling out the fur on her stomach and gets stressed if you try to pick her up, she is either pregnant or having what is called a “false pregnancy. It is adviseable to leave her alone and pet her gently as she will eventually stop this behaviour.  She may start again at any given time so the best solution is to have her spayed.

If one rabbit appears to be mating with another’s head, this is a territorial display which could lead to a fight. Both male and female rabbits have been known to exhibit this type of behaviour.

As you get to know your rabbit more and get to recognise his little quirks, the bond between you will grow stronger and you will soon learn how to spot when anything is wrong or if he needs more of your attention.

The Cashmere lops have similar temperaments and are noted for luxurius long fur.  Although their fur needs regular grooming, they are not as specialised in their needs as the very fine coated angoras.

Mini lops have always been a popular breed and they are small and have that typical lop friendliness but there is nother new breed on the marked called the lionhead.  The lionhead is a medium sized rabbit with a literal “mane” of fur around its head and shoulders.  This marks the lionhead out as a rabbit with a very striking appearance.

Although the outside rabbit continues to be very popular and there are rabbit hutches and rabbit runs to suit almost all needs, there is also a trend towards the indoor rabbit. 

Not everyone is aware that rabbits are far more intelligent than they are given credit for and they positively respond to mental stimulation and affection – they make an ideal substitute for a dog or a cat without needing nearly so much daily attention.

Whether you decide on an indoor or outdoor rabbit, your rabbit will need lots of love and attention and exercise, so make sure he has a good sized rabbit run to safely hop around in – there are the wooden ones for outside use or some good waterproof fabric ones which can be used either indoors or outside. 

And don’t forget to supply your rabbit with toys to stimulate his enthusiastic and playful nature.  Rabbits hate to be bored or ignored and this affects their general health so make sure you spend some quality time with your rabbit and you will certainly reap the rewards.

He is quite possibly the oldest living rabbit in Britain, if not the world, because the average lifespan of a rabbit is normally just six to eight years. 

I myself had a rabbit named Bill who lived to be 11 years old.  He started off his life with another rabbit in a small hutch in a garden down the road from where our family lived. His owner was a young girl who wasn’t interested in the rabbits after the initial novelty of them wore off.  As the rabbits grew, the hutch did not and my own daughter always felt very sorry for them.  As winter folded in, the poor rabbits had no rabbit hutch cover over their rabbit hutch and one of them died as a result of severe cold.

My daughter asked the girl if she wanted the black rabbit and she replied “No, take it!” so Bill came to live with us at the age of about 3.  He was loved and cared for by our family and loved to hop around in the garden during the better months and in the shed during the colder months.

At 11 years old he unfortunately developed cancer in his leg and had to be put to sleep as a result.  The vet informed us that Bill was the oldest rabbit he had ever come across and it proved to us that the right care and attention had paid off.

Apparently, Officials at Guinness World Records are now waiting to talk to Hazel’s owners who live in Pulham Market, to find out if he is indeed a the oldest rabbit in Britain and a record-breaker.

The oldest rabbit alive on record until last year was George, who was born in March 1994 and was owned by a couple in Massachusetts, USA.  He was declared the oldest living rabbit in the world by the Guinness Book of World Records after several vets confirmed his age as 14 years, as of March 13, 2008.

Hazel’s owners remembered their grand-daughter bringing the rabbit home when she was about six years old and she’s now 22 years old, so by their estimation Hazel must be about 15 or 16 years old.
 
Hazel has apparently gone through 3 house moves and has outlived his original rabbit hutch.

It is a well known fact that rabbits who are well looked after have plenty of exercise either in a rabbit run or in the garden and are fed the correct, healthy diet they require will live longer than rabbits who are cooped up in small rabbit hutches and do not have any exercise or much contact with their owners.

Hazel has proved this and we at ideas-4-pets hope he still has many happy, healthy years to come.

Basically, the general message was that rabbits are intelligent, loving creatures who deserve the best care and attention.  A lot of emphasis was place on where they live – what type of rabbit hutch they should be provided with etc.

The ideal environment for pet rabbit should comprise of a rabbit hutch with a separate toilet area and a separate sleeping area as well as somewhere where they can burrow and dig.  Burrowing and digging are natural behaviours for rabbits and so will keep your rabbit stimulated and happy.

The rabbit hutch should always be kept dry and well-ventilated and kept at a cool temperature as rabbits find it harder to cool down than to warm up.  Line it with newspaper and covered with some type of bedding.  Hay, barley straw or dust-free wood chippings are best.  Don’t use ordinary wood chippings because dust can cause serious breathing problems in rabbits and rabbits could eat cat litter so that is a bad idea too !!

The rabbit hutch should be high enough for your rabbit to stand up on his back legs easily and wide enough for him to make at least three or four hops in any given direction. You should exercise your rabbit as often as possible in either an outdoor rabbit run or in the garden (under supervision) as often as possible because the exercise will reduce his bordedom and also keep him fit.  As with most animals (and children too) bordeom can a huge factor in the  development of behavioural problems.   There are some great rabbit hutches on the market at the moment and ideas-4-pets have the Bunny Shack which offers a large housing area and rabbit run all-in-one.  Easy to keep clean because of its size, it also gives plenty of room for more 2 or 3 rabbits.

All rabbits like to be amused and to play so to help ensure yours is a happy bunny, make sure his rabbit hutch includes things like plastic tunnels, plant pots, hay or planters of earth to dig in so that he can exercise his brain too. 

Outdoor rabbit runs are better if they have some sort of a cover on them, whether this is a mesh top or a net, because a fox, cat or large bird could see your rabbit as a meal rather than a playmate !!  

Both the rabbit hutch and his rabbit run are better placed where your rabbit is safe and protected from the sun in hot weather or the rain and frost in the colder months.  If you purchase a hutch which is raised from the ground on small legs, this will not only protect your rabbit from potential predators but it will also make you appear smaller to your rabbit when you try to handle him, so he will be less fearful.

It’s good practice to cover the rabbit hutch at night because your rabbit may become stressed and anxious if he can see a fox or a cat roaming your garden in the darkness.  If you go for a rabbit hutch that is raised high from the ground or the Bunny Hutch which has a ramp leading from the run area to the sleeping area, your rabbit will feel more secure that if he is at ground level.  He will also be protected from rising damp and cold if he is higher up. 

Although your rabbit’s hutch should be kept clean to prevent diseases and infestations, don’t over-clean the rabbit hutch because rabbits leave scent markings which will be removed by excess cleaning and this can cause the rabbit to be anxious and to suffer from stress.

Because hygiene is important it is suggested that his rabbit hutch should be cleaned every two or three days and you could maybe leave small area untouched so that the familiar markings and smells are maintained.

Rabbits tend to be clean animals by nature and will therefore require a separate litter area within their rabbit hutch which they should have access to at all times.  This area should be deep-sided and lined with newspaper and hay which should of course be regularly replaced.

Because rabbits are also very social animals, they should ideally be kept in pairs, although if you decide to do this, it’s important to purchase rabbits of a similar size because if one is much bigger than the other it might bully the smaller rabbit causing injury or stress.

Despite the craze of doing so, rabbits should never really be kept with guinea pigs because they are liable to bully the guinea pig who is much smaller.  Guinea pigs also have different nutritional needs than rabbits so you can’t give them the same food to share.

It’s worth remembering that despite being social with one another, rabbits also like to have their own space.  So it’s important to make sure that the living area in their hutch should really be big enough to allow all the lodgers plenty of room to get away from each other if they feel the need for a bit of privacy.

If you try hard to follow the rules mentioned above, then you should have a happy bunny who will give you lots of love and amusement for several years.