Looking for a Rabbit? Have you thought about...

The Mayhew Animal Home are always happy to help, so please ask us for individual advice on caring for your rabbit. Here is some basic information to answer common questions:

1.Outdoor Housing

Rabbits are sociable animals who should never be housed alone - pairs or groups will live happily if certain guidelines are followed. Two females from the same litter, two neutered males from the same litter, or a neutered male and a female will be fine. Rabbits can also live with guinea pigs if introduced when they're both young.

Rabbits in an enclosure need weatherproof living space within a large outdoor run. The living area needs to be as big as possible, with a warm, dry comfortable floor covered in a deep layer of peat, cat litter or natural wood shavings topped with plenty of straw to bed down in. Droppings and wet patches should be cleaned every day, and the whole house cleaned thoroughly once a week.

A fine mesh cover to the run is necessary to keep out predatory animals such as cats, dogs, weasels and stoats.

2.House rabbits

You can train your rabbit to use a litter tray, and live in your house - just remember to bunnyproof anything that they might chew. Electrical wiring is particularly irresistible.

For more information, check out www.houserabbit.co.uk.

3.Water

All rabbits need constant access to fresh water - a drip-fed bottle is the most hygienic, which should be washed weekly and sterilised with boiling water.

4.Food

Rabbits need a varied diet consisting of green stuff, root vegetables and fruit, plenty of good quality hay and either commercial rabbit pellets or a home-made mix of crushed oats, mixed corn, bran etc. Put the food in heavy earthenware dishes so they can't tip over, and wash them out every day. Give your rabbit access to a mineral lick. Make sure that your rabbit is safe from chemically treated plants, and never feed him lawn cuttings.

5.Grooming

Only Angora rabbits need grooming, but most rabbit enjoy being brushed, especially when moulting. Grooming also gives you a good opportunity to check the rabbit for general health and look at his claws and teeth. Consult your vet if the claws or teeth are too long.

6.Chewing

Make sure that there are chewable items such as cardboard tubes or boxes for your rabbit to chew.

7.Handling

Never pick up a rabbit by the ears. To pick him up, turn him to face you, put your left hand on the scruff and your right hand round his rump. Then lift the rabbit towards you and cradle him or rest him against your body.

8.Neutering

Due to the overwhelming population of unwanted rabbits, The Mayhew believes in neutering for all rabbits in their care.

9.Insurance

Unfortunately there is no equivalent to the NHS for rabbits in the UK; all medical treatment has to be paid for. Veterinary fees can become painfully expensive without insurance. But, by insuring your rabbit for approximately £10.00 per month, you will have the peace of mind that should anything happen to your rabbit, you will be financially covered.

Take a look at Animal Friends Insurance, a unique not-for-profit insurance who support The Mayhew Animal Home with each commission.

10. Bonding

If you are interested in bonding an existing rabbit with a Mayhew rabbit, your existing rabbit must be neutered and vaccinated for VHD and Myxamatosis.