Dutch dwarf rabbit – Food and housing
The Netherland Dwarf is the smallest of the 45 breeds recognized by the American Rabbit Breeders Association, weighing in at just 2 pounds when fully grown.
Feeding
A Netherland Dwarf’s digestive system is sensitive, even by rabbit standards. A constant supply of fresh water is a must; rabbits cannot absorb water from their food. A gravity water bottle attached to the inside of his cage will prevent spillage and contamination. Additionally, a steady supply of timothy hay provides a great source of fiber and allows for all-day snacking. Alfalfa could be used, but it is higher in calcium and protein and lower in fiber. Too much calcium can cause serious kidney and bladder problems. About 250 mg per day is sufficient for a mature Dutch dwarf.
Rabbit food should be limited to about 1 ounce per pound of weight per day, unless you have a pregnant or lactating female, or a baby less than four months old, in which case a constant supply should be provided. Only buy a month’s supply of food at a time, as the pellets can spoil or mold and cause illness. They can also lose important nutrients for your rabbit’s physical well-being. House rabbits do well with a pellet that contains 18-20% fiber, 14-15% protein and 2-3% fat. Once you find a good brand, stick with it. Frequently changing your food can cause dangerous digestive problems.
For rabbits over six months of age, you can supplement their staple diet with raw fruits and vegetables in amounts of about a teaspoon at a time. Introduce new foods for a couple of weeks to give their systems time to adjust. Kitchen scraps work great here, but food that’s about to go bad is better for the compost pile than your bunny’s belly.
Good choices are apples, grapes, pears, oranges, strawberries, cherries, raspberries, blueberries, papayas, pineapples, melons, mangoes, peaches, tomatoes, peas, beans, kale, carrots, mustard greens, dandelion greens, sugar beets, parsnips. , parsley and potato peels. Take care to remove any seeds or pits first.
Never feed your bunny lettuce. Lettuce contains lactucarium, which can cause severe diarrhea. Diarrhea can kill a rabbit. Romaine lettuce has the lowest amounts of lactucarium of the common garden varieties. Other foods to avoid include cabbage, parsnips, and tomato greens.
Accommodation
While each rabbit has its own unique personality, they and their owners can enjoy hours of interaction through play and physical contact. If you decide that a Holland Dwarf is the bunny for you, preparing a suitable habitat will be the first step in its overall care.
The Netherland Dwarf is the smallest of the 45 breeds recognized by the American Rabbit Breeders Association, weighing in at just 2 pounds when fully grown. But they are hardy little lads and do pretty well indoors or out, even in winter.
A dwarf cage should be at least three square feet, but bigger is better. Creating multiple levels connected with ramps is an easy way to increase the overall size of an enclosure without sacrificing floor space.
Outdoor housing should provide protection from the damp and cold of winter and the heat of summer. A cabin made of heavy wood with wire walls and a waterproof roof, raised off the ground, is ideal. Even though your rabbit will be safe inside his hutch, he may still be scared to death of a threatening predator. Include an enclosed area inside the cabin to give your bunny a place to hide when scared, or just to take shelter from the weather. Bedding material should be provided in the form of wood shavings and/or clean straw. Indoor housing doesn’t have to be as utilitarian, but it should still provide a safe, secure and comfortable home for your pet.
Traditionally, wire-bottomed enclosures have been used to allow droppings to fall into a tray for easy cleaning. However, wire cages can be hard on rabbits’ feet and a solid area should be provided for them to rest comfortably. Alternatively, rabbits can be litter box trained. Never use clumping kitty litter or cedar chips, which can be harmful if swallowed. Feed, hay, and water bins should be mounted in cages to prevent spillage and contamination.
Regardless of how luxurious the accommodations, however, your bunny will still need space to romp and roam outside of his cage. Care must be taken to ensure the safety of your rabbit anywhere you allow it to run. Indoor spaces must be rabbit proof. Outdoor spaces must be properly enclosed.