Rabbits are extremely lovable, sociable animals that make great pets if their owner learns how to properly care for them. If you are thinking about getting a rabbit, please take the time to do research on them.

The rabbit that is kept domestically today is actually a descendant of a species of wild rabbits that live in northern Africa and Western Europe. The average life span for rabbits is five to ten years; however, they can live up to fifteen years.

Rabbits are herbivores, which means that they eat only plants. There are many commercial pellet foods that contain most nutrients that rabbits need. This makes feeding very easy. Pellets should be offered at all times, as well as fresh water. In addition to pellets, rabbits need hay and vegetables. The best type of hay to get is Timothy grass hay. Hay needs to be available at all times as it greatly helps their digestive systems and provides necessary fiber. Alfalfa hay should only be given in limited quantities because it is very high in protein. For vegetables, rabbits need dark, leafy green vegetables like romaine lettuce, leaf lettuce, parsley, cilantro, endive, collard greens, escarole and dandelion greens.

Rabbits also enjoy treats and can be given fruits as treats. Some treats that your rabbit might like are apples, strawberries, blueberries, papaya, peaches, pears, melon and plum. Fruits that have a lot of sugar such as grapes, bananas and raisins are okay too, but only give them on a very limited basis.

The digestive system of rabbits is very sensitive and therefore, there are many foods that they cannot have. These foods include tomatoes, iceberg lettuce, corn, cabbage, peas, beans, potatoes, onions, beets, bamboo, grains, seeds and rhubarb. Also, please do not feed your rabbit any human foods, especially chocolate and candy.

Domestic rabbits cannot handle extreme temperatures like their wild ancestors. They need to be kept inside. Hot summers can even kill domestic rabbits. Also, if kept outside, they are in danger from predators. Rabbits can get so stressed out from just a sight or sound of a wild animal that they can literally have a heart attack and die out of fear.

A rabbit's cage needs to be at least five times as big as the rabbit. You will need to take your rabbit out every day for exercise, just make sure that the area is safe. Rabbits enjoy chewing on things, so make sure there is nothing dangerous that they may chew on, such as wires and toxins. There are even some common household plants that are poisonous to them. These include azalea, aloe, Lily of the Valley, Calla Lily and philodendron. Try to give your rabbit toys that they can chew on, such as wood blocks, cardboard, toys made of willow wood, paper towel rolls and any other cardboard materials.

A great thing about rabbits is that they can be litter trained. At first, put a litter box in the cage to encourage them to use it. If you let your rabbit out in the house, put a litter box in every room. Avoid using dusty or clumping litters because these can cause health problems. Try to use organic litter made of wood pulp, paper, or citrus.

In order to prevent many health problems, it is very important that you spay or neuter your rabbit. Males can get testicular cancer if they aren't neutered and can also be more aggressive. Also, females can get reproductive cancer if they aren't spayed. Rabbits are very fragile animals. They must be picked up very carefully or their bones will break. Never lift the rabbit by the stomach or by the ears and never let their body hand free.

A rabbit will make a great companion for you if you take good care of it. Rabbits are very lovable and sociable. They make very sweet, entertaining pets. Please take the time to give the proper care to your rabbit.

Michael Russell Your Independent guide to Pet Care