Teach Yourself Keeping A Rabbit Book

Acknowledgements     xi
Introduction     xiii
What is a rabbit?     1
A brief history     2
Rabbit physiology     3
Social behaviour     8
Feeding     10
Communication     10
In summary     11
Is a rabbit for me?     12
Should I have a rabbit?     13
What does a rabbit need?     14
Rabbits and children     16
Rabbits and other pets     17
Rabbits and guinea pigs     18
Method for introducing a dog to a rabbit     18
Finding a rabbit     21
The importance of early experience     22
Finding a rabbit     22
Choosing a breed     24
Rabbit colours and markings     37
Choosing a rabbit     39
Male or female?     39
Bringing your rabbit home     40
The first few days     41
Nutrition     43
Fibre     44
Green leaves     46
Pellets and mixes     47
Water     47
Treats     48
Additives     48
Probiotics andprebiotics     49
Caecotrophs     50
Overweight rabbits     50
Pregnant/lactating does     51
Growing rabbits     51
A word about packaging     51
Housing and equipment     52
Hutch or indoor cage     53
Bedding     57
Feed bowls     57
Food and treats     57
Hayrack     58
Water bottles     58
Outdoor run     58
Litter tray     59
Litter     59
Toys and enrichment     59
Travel box     60
Grooming equipment     61
Nesting boxes     61
Harness and lead     61
Hutch covers     61
Bottle covers     62
Bottle springs     62
Cleaning equipment     62
General care     63
Handling your rabbit     64
Grooming and moult     65
Ears     66
Teeth     67
Nail trimming     67
Bottoms     68
Washing rabbits     69
Cleaning out litter trays and hutches     70
Regular checks      70
Disposal of manure     73
Discouraging pests and flies     73
Keeping mind and body healthy     74
Social contact     75
Exercise requirements     75
Environmental enrichment     76
Bunny-proofing your home and garden     77
Hot weather     78
Holiday care     79
Rabbit behaviour     81
Normal behaviour     82
Training     85
Preventing behaviour problems     88
Behaviour problems     89
Genetics, reproduction and breeding     99
Why do you want to breed your rabbits?     100
What do you hope to achieve?     101
Obtaining stock     102
A quick look at genetics     102
Glossary of genetic terms     105
Reproduction and breeding     107
Fostering rabbits     114
Hand-rearing rabbits     114
Exhibiting rabbits     119
The rabbit fancy     120
Rabbit clubs     120
British Rabbit Council shows     121
British Rabbit Council guide to showing terms     130
Health care     135
How to find a veterinary surgeon     136
Preventative measures     136
How to tell if your rabbit is in pain     137
What to do if you find a problem     138
Digestive problems     138
Urinary problems     141
Respiratory problems     142
Teeth, eye and head problems     144
Skin problems     145
Reproductive problems     149
Viral diseases     151
Miscellaneous problems     152
Administering medication     155
Post-operative care     156
Neutering     156
Elderly rabbits     157
Saying goodbye     157
Welfare     159
Indicators of welfare     160
The five freedoms     160
Areas of consideration for domestic rabbits     161
Trancing rabbits     164
Stress     165
Rabbits and man     168
Rabbits as a source of food     169
Rabbit fur     170
Rabbits as pests     171
Rabbits and research     173
Rabbits and the garden     174
Rabbits and our culture     175
Rabbits as pets      177
Rabbit FAQs     181
Finding a rabbit     182
Housing     183
Nutrition     134
General care     185
Health     187
Behaviour     188
Exhibiting     189
Breeding     190
Taking it further     192
Index     199