Part 1 :    • Netherland Dwarf Rabbit 101: Part 1  


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Aside from our previous video about Netherland Dwarf rabbit, there's still some information you need to know about them.

Feeding Rabbits 7 Months to 1 Year.

At this age, a young Netherlands Dwarf is maturing into adulthood, and his diet will need other careful adjustments.

Switch From Alfalfa to Hay.

Around seven months old, the loose alfalfa portion of the diet should be slowly replaced with hay. Oxbow Animal Health particularly recommends timothy hay as a good source of roughage and nutrients, but oat hay and brome are also good choices and provide variety as well. Chewing hay gives rabbits an opportunity to grind down their teeth and keep them in good condition. Hay's high fiber content also keeps hairballs from turning into bowel obstructions.

This is also the time to switch from alfalfa pellets to timothy pellets since alfalfa can be fattening for adults.

Keep Fruits to a Minimum.

A few fruits may also be introduced at this age, but use them as treats and offer them sparingly. A teaspoonsized serving of apple or a thin slice of banana is more than enough. Follow the same plan for introducing fruit as recommended for vegetables, and watch to see if they upset your pet's digestive system.

Netherland Dwarf Rabbit Full Grown Adult Diet.

According to the Rabbit Producers Association, a Netherland Dwarf should receive approximately,

Oneeighth cup per pound of body weight,
Unlimited fresh timothy hay,
Unlimited fresh water,
Limited amounts of fresh vegetables,
Match Amount of Food to Weight.

Each rabbit is unique, so you can increase or decrease the amount of pellets fed according to whether he feels too fat or too thin. This breed's standard states adult bucks and does should top out around 2 1/2 pounds, so you can use that measurement as a guideline, but basically make sure his weight is a good match for his framework.

Veterinary Care for Netherland Dwarf Bunnies.

Providing your Netherland with regular veterinary care can help you spot problems before they grow out of control. Just like cats and dogs, rabbits should receive annual checkups.

Vaccinations.

According to Center Sinai Animal Hospital, pet rabbits do not require any vaccinations in the USA. However, there are a couple of serious diseases that rabbits need to be vaccinated against in other parts of the world, including Europe and the UK.

Viral hemorrhagic disease. This is a deadly form of calicivirus, and even though it is not as rampant in the USA as it is in some other countries, rabbits should be vaccinated against the virus because it is highly contagious. The initial vaccination should be given between 12 and 14 weeks old, with boosters given according to your veterinarian's recommendation.

Myxomatosis. This is a viral disease that is transmitted via parasites like mosquitos, fleas, ticks, mites, and lice. It can also be passed from one infected rabbit to another, and the infection is usually fatal. This disease is not very common in the United States, and there is no vaccine approved for use in this country as of 2014.

However, a vaccine against myxomatosis does exist and is used in the United Kingdom and elsewhere. The initial vaccination should be given at 6weeksold and repeated yearly or at your veterinarian's recommendation.

Parasite Control.

Rabbits are subject to fleas, mites, and other parasites just like many other pets. Let your veterinarian help you choose a rabbitsafe preventative product to protect your Netherland from these pests.

Worming.

Intestinal worms can rob your Netherland of nutrition, so it's wise to carry out routine worming twice a year using a rabbitsafe worming product as recommended by your veterinarian.

Dental Care for Your Dwarf Bunny.

Netherland Dwarf Rabbits not only like to chew, but they also need to chew because their teeth grow constantly. If they don't chew frequently, their teeth can grow out of control. Your pet's diet of pellets and hay should help keep his tooth growth in check, but he'll also enjoy small chewable toys and branches from fruit trees.


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