All throughout the United States and Canada, more and more people are keeping rabbits as house pets. Often referred to as the cutest animals one could keep, these furry sweet little creatures can in fact be quite a handful if they are not cared for properly.
It is not enough for the rabbit to simply have a cage and some carrots as many people would believe, rabbits need lots of exercise time and an abundance of socialization with their owner for there to be a healthy bond between the two. Rabbits are naturally skittish animals in the wild, as well as in domestic settings. They need constant calm conditions in order for them to thrive and stress is a very harmful thing for these lovely little animals. Considering their heart rate is about twice that of a human, they really are at all times at risk of heart failure due to fear or stress.
Should you elect to keep rabbits as household pets, you will want to be sure that you are prepared to cover all of the basis that will come with their care and well being. This means that you will need to allow them to actually co-exists with you in your home and make it a mutual environment where both you and the rabbit will feel secure with one another. Sometimes this is easier said than done, as rabbits are not quite as co-operative as one would believe. Rabbits are actually intelligent and sharp, and will always detect a problem that they may consider a threat. Ensuring that you are eliminating all threats within the home will be a very good start to co-habitation with your new pet rabbit.
When it comes to socialization, one of the easiest methods to accomplish this feat is to set a room as the environment for the interaction. This room should really be uncluttered and have no chewable things that will only harm or get the rabbit in trouble. Chew sticks and hard vegetable can be scattered around the room, and give the rabbit an opportunity to explore to find them on their own. By sitting quietly in the room with the rabbit, you will find within a very short period of time that the rabbit will eventually come to you on its own accord. There should ideally be plenty of things for the rabbit to explore, as they are naturally curious animals when they are not stressed or in fear on a regular basis.
You will want to ensure that there is nothing in the room that will place the rabbit into a fit of stress; this will only prolong the co-habitation process and the development. A rabbit needs to feel very secure in their environment; this will easily be accomplished through dedication and patience. Being persistent when training your rabbit to co-exist with you, will indeed pay dividends and help you and your pet forge a bond quickly and securely. Should you have the room in your home, you may wish to place the cage for your rabbit in the same room that you socialize with it. You could then simply leave the cage door open at all times and allow the rabbit free roam of that particular room. You will want to make sure that you have the door of the room closed at all times to prevent the rabbit from venturing out into troubled areas of the house where there are many things to get into such as wires and household plants. This will also keep any other animal that you have in the house such as a dog or cat chasing the rabbit and causing unneeded stress. Take your time and be diligent when showing your rabbit the ins and outs of your space that you have provided for them.
It is never easy for you to convince a small animal that all is safe around them, yet with time and patience you will be able to show them that they do have a place in your home and a place in your heart that will not go unnoticed. The time that you put in will be well rewarded with a rabbit that not only trusts you, but also will easily co-exist with you in your home.
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