Veterinarians share 11 things you should never do to a rabbit
Rabbits can be cute and cuddly additions to a family — but it's important to remember that they are fragile animals that need special care.
To learn more, Insider spoke to veterinarians to find out what owners should never do to their pet rabbit. Read on to see what they said.
Don't feed your iceberg lettuce to your rabbit
Sakura Davis, veterinary technician and vet consultant at CatPet Club, told Insider that rabbits should never be fed iceberg lettuce.
"Iceberg lettuce contains lactucarium, which is toxic to rabbits if ingested in large amounts," said Davis. "Avoid giving your rabbit any light-colored lettuce."
Some darker varieties of lettuce, such as romaine, are safe for rabbits. When possible, Davis recommended, supplement lettuce with more nutrient-dense greens such as carrot tops.
Avoid placing your rabbit's cage in direct sunlight
Veterinarian Madison Rose, owner of Peaceful Waters Aquamation, told Insider that rabbits can easily become dangerously overheated.
"Rabbits can overheat in temperatures of 80 degrees [Fahrenheit] or higher, especially if the humidity is high," said Rose. "Don't leave rabbits outside without a cool shelter, and keep their cages out of direct sunlight, even in the winter."
Rose also noted that glass windows can intensify heat from the sun. If your home is not air-conditioned, place your pet's cage in the coolest area of your house and use a fan to circulate air around them.
Don't let your rabbit eat more pellets than hay
Veterinarian Jennifer Coates, advisor at Pet Life Today, told Insider that the bulk of a rabbit's diet should be hay, not pellets.
"Underfeeding grass or grass hay is extremely dangerous," said Coates. "Rabbits need constant access to hay to help wear down their teeth and provide the large amount of fiber necessary to maintain gut health."
Coates advised that a variety of grass and grass hay like timothy, oat, and orchardgrass should make up 80% to 90% of an adult rabbit's diet.
A small portion of pellets may be given daily to supplement a rabbit's vitamin intake.
Rabbits shouldn't be kept in small cages
Wild rabbits roam over larger habitats, so it's important to give your pet as much room as possible.
"A rabbit's cage should be at least four times the size of the rabbit," said Davis. "They should be able to run back and forth, and have separate spaces to sleep, eat, and use the bathroom."
Rabbits that are held in small cages often become depressed, and a lack of exercise can lead to health problems such as obesity and muscle weakness.
Don't play with your rabbit on high surfaces
Try to avoid playing with or grooming your rabbit on places like beds, tables, or countertops.
"When interacting with your rabbit, it's best to be on ground level with them," said Davis. "Otherwise, they may jump from high places and possibly injure their legs, back, or neck."
Spreading a towel or washable blanket on the ground is a good way to prevent your rabbit from making a mess on the floor while also keeping them safe.
Never feed your rabbit food that's meant for dogs or cats
It may seem convenient to use the same food for all your household pets, but giving your rabbit cat or dog food can be harmful.
"These foods are designed for carnivores, not herbivores," said Rose. "The high levels of protein in dog and cat food can cause kidney damage in rabbits, and the fat and grain-based carbohydrates can lead to obesity."
Rose also explained that rabbits have very sensitive gastrointestinal tracts, so feeding them dog or cat food can upset their normal balance of gut flora.
Don't pick your rabbit up by its armpits or chest
Lifting a rabbit by simply hooking your hands beneath their front paws or cupping their chest can lead to serious spinal injuries.
"Don't pick up your rabbit by its armpits or chest. Rabbit backbones are fragile and can fracture if the hind legs are allowed to dangle," said Rose.
Always use one hand to support a rabbit's hindquarters when picking them up. It's also best to avoid picking up rabbits that seem fearful or agitated, as they may be more likely to twist or jump.
Never trim your rabbit's teeth without a vet's supervision
Rabbit teeth grow continually throughout their life. They require an abrasive diet of hay and greens to keep their teeth worn down and healthy.
Sometimes, due to genetics or poor diet, a rabbit's teeth can overgrow and cause dental problems.
"If your rabbit's teeth are overgrown, never attempt to trim them without the guidance of your vet," said Rose. "Rabbit teeth should also be evaluated yearly by a veterinarian to spot problems before they become serious."
Avoid making your rabbit feel trapped or cornered
Rabbits are known to be pretty nervous creatures, so always providing them with somewhere sheltered to hide is important for their physical and mental health.
"Rabbits are prey animals, which means they get extremely stressed when they feel exposed to potential predators," said Coates. "They should always be able to escape into a hide box or something similar."
A rabbit that feels trapped or startled may jump or twist, leading to serious spinal injury.
Don't feed your rabbit old food
Your rabbit may not be a picky eater, but it's still important to make sure their pellets are as fresh as possible. Feeding them old food can have negative health consequences.
"Pellets should be fresh, because otherwise the vitamins rabbits need may not be biologically active," said Coates.
Coates recommended that rabbit pellets be discarded once they are more than 90 days from their date of milling.
Don't feed your rabbit too much alfalfa hay
Alfalfa hay is rich in protein and rabbits generally love it — but feeding them too much of it isn't great for their health.
"Alfalfa hay is a treat and shouldn't be a main part of your rabbit's diet," Coates told Insider. "If a rabbit eats too much, they may not eat enough [grass] hay, which can lead to nutritional problems and tooth overgrowth."
Read More:
Veterinarians answer 12 questions about rabbits that you've always wanted to ask
16 things you need to know before adopting a rabbit
Veterinarians share 12 mistakes you're making when playing with pets
FOLLOW US: Insider is on Facebook
Join the conversation about this story »
NOW WATCH: 11 places to go only if you aren't afraid of heights