| A rabbits ear is not a handle, when you pick them up | | | | are always growing. If he has nothing to chew on to |
| this way it hurts, so it is instinct for them to kick and | | | | wear these teeth down, they will grow to much and |
| scratch. The rabbit has always been a prey animal, | | | | yours could easily starve to death. |
| think how many creatures want to kill them for food, | | | | There are plenty of products you can buy so the |
| including some humans (not me I hasten to add). | | | | rabbit can chew, look in your local pet shop or go |
| So what would you do if you were in this position, | | | | online to find him some. They can be wooden toys or |
| someone came along grabbed you by the ears and | | | | something like that, the rabbit loves to play, so he might |
| tried to lift you, no doubt you would kick and scream | | | | as well wear his teeth down doing it. There are a lot of |
| and try to hurt them in some way so you could | | | | ailments that can make your pet rabbit ill, but one of |
| escape. | | | | the nastiest is fly attack. The man has gone crazy, fly |
| * That is exactly what the pet is trying to do escape, | | | | attack he is talking rubbish. |
| the tighter you grip him the harder he will struggle to | | | | Oh I am not, the fly will lay eggs on your rabbit, these in |
| get free. | | | | turn will change into maggots and the maggot will bore |
| * Don't do it show a bit of respect. | | | | into the animals skin causing lots of problems. Most s |
| I get a lot of kids say to me, my rabbit does not like | | | | can combat this trouble, if they are fit enough to |
| me to pick him up, "even when they are doing it | | | | groom themselves properly. But youngsters and old |
| correctly". Of course they don't as I have said above | | | | rabbits might not be able to clean their fur enough then |
| they are prey animals it is instinct for them to escape. | | | | it becomes a major issue. |
| If the animal is friendly and likes to be stroked he will | | | | In the worst case they can be that damaged by |
| come to you, he will lay down near you especially if | | | | maggots, the kindest thing to do is get them put down. |
| you are on the floor. Then you are on his level, he can | | | | Not a pleasant thought the kids would be devastated. |
| keep an eye on you, he knows you do not want to | | | | So what can you do vigilance is the keyword here, |
| hurt him. | | | | check the rabbit daily look for any sores or cuts this |
| This way he will accept your touch, but don't force him | | | | will be an easy entrance to a fly. If there is any open |
| he will try to run if you do. | | | | wounds get your vet to have a look. |
| * Eventually you will gain the rabbits trust. | | | | One of the ways to stop this fly attack is to fit fly |
| * Some pet rabbits become amazingly friendly and will | | | | screens to the hutch and the rabbits runs. You can |
| sit on your lap to be petted. | | | | buy a treatment to apply on to them back end to stop |
| * But do not rush them. | | | | fly eggs hatching, but this is not a cure all, you have got |
| They are related to the rodent family, one | | | | to check bunny everyday. I hope I have not put you |
| characteristic they have kept in common is their ability | | | | off the idea of keeping rabbits as pets, they can be |
| to chew on anything. But this is not destructive | | | | delightful creatures, just be ahead of the game and |
| behaviour, your rabbit is doing what comes naturally, he | | | | check the pet out on a regular basis. |
| has to keep gnawing on something because his teeth | | | | |