The Toy rabbit or dwarf rabbit has long been a very popular pet. Its small size, adorable appearance and personable character make it the perfect pet for those who live in a flat. It was developed in Holland at the beginning of the 20th century from a small wild rabbit crossed with domestic breeds until it arrived in England where breeders managed to standardize the colors and appearance.
Origin
- Europe
Physical appearance
The toy or dwarf rabbit is truly small, we are talking about a total length that is around 33 or 50 centimeters reaching an adult weight of between 0.8 and 1.5 kg.
The appearance of the dwarf rabbit is very sweet, only based on its physiognomy since we are facing a compact and short rabbit. It shows short and rounded ears as well as a small and flat nose that make it totally unmistakable.
They have short, soft hair that comes in a wide variety of very different colors including white, brown, gray or black.
Behavior
Unlike other rabbits, the Toy or dwarf rabbit is somewhat independent since it is an especially nervous and fearful breed. To avoid this isolated behavior of the rabbit it is convenient to accustom it to us on a daily basis playing and offering treats, in this way we will have a sweet and friendly rabbit.
They appreciate very much the caresses near the ears and the back of those who trust, always with the appropriate softness.
Care
Toy rabbits have a series of general cares and they also have specific cares. For example, it is important that the toy rabbit has a quiet and quiet place to rest when you leave it in its cage. Insulate him from drafts, direct sunlight or excessive noise. Try not to get other pets near him until he gets used to their presence.
We must be very careful when handling it, a rough gesture or a bad hold can easily end in a fracture.
Another type of care will be brushing, which should be frequent, especially in the shedding season. It is not convenient that we bathe it since the rabbits clean themselves. Except for cases of extreme dirt, we can use a damp wipe or cloth to clean the hair.
Provide toys for him to enjoy whenever he is bored, search the market for suitable toys for the rabbit. This point is important because not all toys are valid for this mammal that nibbles everything.
He should have a spacious cage with a chip base, hay and vegetable feeders, a waterer, and something he can use as a nest for comfort. You can also prepare a small space or enclosure for him to exercise. Remember that if you let him run around the house, he must always be under your supervision as he could gnaw on a cable.
In addition to the aforementioned, we must also pay attention to the feeding of the rabbit, which must be varied and appropriate according to its age.
Health
Here is a list of the most common diseases that dwarf rabbits can suffer:
- Myxomatosis: It is a virus transmitted by insects such as ticks, mosquitoes or horseflies. We can detect it through the inflammation of the female vulva and the appearance of pustules around the mucous membranes of the rabbit. It can finally cause blindness in our little pet.
We must go to the veterinarian who will try to stop the symptoms of this disease with intensive care because it has no treatment. - Tularemia: It is a bacterial disease that is transmitted through mites and fleas. We can identify this ailment because the rabbit stops eating. Go to the vet if you relate the parasites and that he does not eat.
- Rabies: Like cats or dogs, the rabbit can also present rabies. Although it would be very strange it could happen if we take in a rabbit of strange origin. For this reason we advise you to consult the advice to adopt a rabbit.
- Pneumonia: It usually occurs in cold times of the year or if we leave our pet exposed to drafts. If we do not provide extra care, our rabbit could get worse.
- Abnormal tooth growth: It is common when we do not provide our pet with forage or elements so that it can bite, as it would in nature.
- Scabies: Scabies is caused by mites, insects that lay eggs and multiply at breakneck speed. Go to the vet for the ivermectin vaccine
