Distinctive Pet Rabbits vs. Common Rabbits: Breed Diffe

One: The Distinctions Between Pet Rabbits and Regular Rabbits

1. The rearing stages of pet rabbits are similar to those of fur and meat rabbits, all divided into phases such as management of kits, young rabbits, and adult rabbits.

2. Pet rabbits, being primarily ornamental, place a high value on appearance. To maintain a moderate size, their diet differs significantly from that of regular rabbits. Pet rabbit diets should focus on low protein, low fat, low calcium, and high fiber content. The proportion of these nutrients varies depending on the rabbit's growth stage.

3. It's wellknown among rabbit breeders that rabbits are particularly timid and prone to startling. They usually do not form close bonds with humans, including their owners. While they may not fear their owners, forming a close relationship is rare. Especially when encountering strangers, they become highly alert and fearful, sometimes even refusing to eat or drink for several days. In contrast, pet rabbits tend to be less shy due to their ancestors being predominantly handraised, making them less fearful of humans.

4. The management of kits for pet rabbits can differ slightly from that of regular rabbits. Pet rabbits are generally smaller, and during the lactation period, the mother rabbits may produce insufficient milk, leading to a higher mortality rate among the kits. To ensure the survival of the newborn pet kits, owners must check their feeding regularly. If a kit appears thin and unable to nurse, it should be provided with a foster mother, which can be a regular domestic rabbit. During the foster feeding, the kit should be placed in the nest of the foster mother, allowing its scent to blend with the kits' scent before being fed. This method can significantly improve the survival rate of the kits. Additionally, during this stage, owners must ensure the kits are kept warm and provide adequate bedding to prevent them from catching a cold.

5. The weaning period for pet rabbit kits should be extended appropriately, ideally around 45 days. In the days following weaning, owners should gradually introduce the kits to petspecific feed, allowing them to acclimate to the new diet. After weaning, the kits enter the juvenile stage, at which point they can be managed similarly to regular rabbits.

6. Pet rabbits often suffer from common diseases similar to those of regular rabbits, and the vaccination protocols are largely the same. Typically, pet rabbit kits should receive the PCE (Pestivirus, Calicivirus, and Enteritis) vaccine at around 25 to 30 days old, with a subcutaneous injection of 1 ml. At 35 days, they should be vaccinated with the Rabbit Viral Haemorrhagic Disease (RVHD) inactivated vaccine, also administered at 1 ml.

7. Pet rabbits are companions for their owners, so there's no need to prioritize their meat quality. Regular vaccinations are recommended, with protocols identical to those for regular rabbits. Moreover, to maintain the pet rabbit's beauty, owners should regularly groom longhaired rabbits to prevent matting. It's advisable to brush longhaired pet rabbits daily.

This concludes the introduction to the rearing and management of pet rabbits by Oxygen Pet Doctor. Although the purposes of raising pet rabbits and regular rabbits differ, their health is paramount, and disease prevention should be a priority for both.