Scamp likes to chew, and as far as he’s concerned the bottom edges of my kitchen cabinets are just perfect for gnawing on. I don’t share his enthusiasm, so I had some custom cupboard protectors made. They are clear perspex (in the first picture it still has the blue protective film on) with a small lip the depth of the door. They are held on with clear sticky pads.

I had them made to order from a perspex ebay seller. There are lots to choose from and many sellers will cut to size if you ask. You can also pick perspex up in a DIY store.

They have been up for awhile now and successfully Scamp-proofed the doors (he’s moved on to the skirting). I have to peel them off occassionally to clean behind but in general they look neat and work great.

Sometimes it can be hard to understand what your rabbit wants; don’t you wish they could just spell it out…

Most rabbits love tunnels; they are great to play and hide in. They are also easy and cheap to make with scrap cardboard. If you don’t have some boxes to hand try asking around local shops, they often get big boxes of deliveries and will be happy to let you have some.

Tunnels can be round, rectangular or triangular. I’ve gone for triangular here as they are less prone to collapsing than rectangular and easier to shape than round.

Just fold your piece of cardboard into shape and fasten with cable ties (or tape if your rabbit is not a chewer).

You can join tunnels together, cut a hole in the side of one to match the end of another, or join them to boxes to make dens.

There are two major causes of health problems in rabbits: incorrect diet and lack of exercise.

Exercise is important for:

Bones
Exercise helps build bone density preventing Osteoporosis (weak bones). A lack of exercise increases the risk factors for bone fractures and breaks.

Muscles
Muscle wastage, particularly in the backend, can effect a rabbits ability to hop normally and move around. The heart is also a muscle and exercise help keeps it fit, so reducing the risk of heart attack.

Mental Well Being
If a rabbit does not have the space to exercise then it does not have the space to exhibit normal behaviour. Rabbits are built to run and hop. This can lead to a whole range of behaviour problems including aggression, over grooming, repetitive bar chewing/cage rattling etc.

It is also a risk factor in many other illnesses including obesity, fly strike, gut issues and sore hocks.

Please give your rabbit room to move. Rabbits should have a run a minimum of 6’x4′ but preferably bigger or access to a larger area regularly so they can run.

With all the different dry foods, fancy types of hays and treats available for discerning rabbit owner to chose from sometimes the simplest diet options get overlooked. Grass is the most natural of foods for a rabbit to eat and is often readily available at very low (if any) cost.

It is tasty, if you are a rabbit, and will often tempt rabbits who turn their noses up in disgust at hay. It is also high in fibre, great for wearing down teeth and the rabbit digestion system has been perfected to digest it.

So why do many rabbits never get to eat it? Read the rest of this entry »