With The Great Rabbit Hop, we want to give rabbits space. Space to unfold and space in our awareness. As mentioned, rabbits are popular, but also an animal that is largely misunderstood and forgotten. The campaign aims to spread knowledge and raise animal welfare among all the country’s rabbits. Follow us throughout the year and join The Great Rabbit Hop.
Rabbit – a misunderstood family pet
The rabbit is the third most common family pet in Norway, and every year an enormous number of rabbits are sold through pet stores and private individuals. Often the buyer is a minor and the rabbit is seen as a quiet animal that requires little.
Important things to consider
Before acquiring a rabbit, it is important to think carefully.
Plenty of space
Happy rabbits have plenty of space to unfold and a cage is never enough. Regardless of whether you have rabbits outside or inside, you must facilitate natural behavior and a lot of activity. The rabbits must be allowed to give vent to natural needs, such as gnawing, digging, sniffing, being with other rabbit friends and running at full speed.
Friends are necessary
In nature, rabbits live in large colonies in underground burrows. They cooperate to build housing, gain increased security when they graze together, and not least a lot of cuddling and fun when they groom each other’s fur or play. Such a well-functioning society means that they will also need conspecifics in our homes. Other animal species, including us humans, will never be able to replace a rabbit. It is therefore important that rabbits are kept in pairs or small groups. Be aware that the rabbits should be neutered, introduced in neutral areas and that the process of putting them together may take some time.
Hay
In nature, rabbits will constantly slip out of their burrows to eat grass. They spend much of their waking time grazing, and it is this diet that we must also imitate to keep the rabbits healthy and fresh. They should always have free access to hay, while supplementary food such as rabbit pellets can be given in small amounts once or twice a day. Hay should actually make up almost 90% of the rabbit’s total feed intake, to avoid disease and dental problems. If the rabbit does not eat enough hay, teeth should be examined by a veterinarian.
Lifespan and responsibility
Getting rabbit kittens is a long-term commitment. With good care, they can often live as long as a dog, depending on breed and size, and you should always include the animal in future plans.
Rabbits can potentially live for more than 10 years and are dependent on daily care, company and exercise throughout their lives.
Cuddle, pat and hug
Rabbits are not the cuddly toys many like to think. Since they are prey animals, being lifted up and held in place can cause stress and fear. If you sit on the floor and let the rabbits walk around freely, you can hand-feed them or perhaps gently stroke them on the head when they come over to sniff and say hello. Then they learn that you do not pose any risk and that they can come and go as they please.
Veterinary assistance
Rabbits, like other family pets, should have an annual health check with a veterinarian. As prey animals, they will camouflage pain and suffering as far as possible and you must learn how to reveal the animal. In short, all change must be taken seriously, especially in food intake and faeces. Illness in rabbits is never something you can wait with, so seek veterinary attention as soon as you notice something.
