These little precious animals are the smallest breed of domestic rabbits. Dwarf rabbits are extremely popular house pets in America. If you too are thinking of bringing home these cute, cuddly, docile hop masters home, then you need to know a little dwarf rabbit info to provide them with proper pet care.

The dwarf rabbit are also known as the Netherlands dwarf rabbits as they originated in Europe.

The earliest breeds of dwarf rabbits were found in Holland and thus were christened as 'Netherlands' dwarf rabbit. By 1969, the Netherlands dwarf rabbits became a recognized breed of rabbit in America.

The Netherlands dwarf rabbits are very small in size that makes them even more attractive as a pet. They look similar to the Polish dwarf rabbits, but the Netherlands dwarf rabbit weighs only 2 to 2½ lbs.

This makes them the smallest of all bunnies, with short ears standing straight up and short, dense, soft, glossy fur. These beautiful and attractive physical features makes them one of the most popular pets in America.

You will find there are many different colors of dwarf rabbits. The American Rabbit Breeders Association recognizes about 24 colors of dwarf rabbits. You can choose your future dwarf rabbit pets in colors like blue, black, lilac, lynx, opal, otter, chocolate, silver matte, fawn, steel and tan. You can even go in for white ruby eyed or blue eyed dwarf rabbits.

Dwarf rabbits as pets require a lot of care, attention and maintenance as they are very delicate animals. They are basically ideal rabbit breeds for pets if you provide the correct dwarf rabbits care. When you buy a dwarf rabbit as pet, you can let it run free in the house.

But in case a free run is not a good option for you, buy a large sized cage. The dwarf rabbits will love to hop around in their cage if the area is sufficient. You need to provide the dwarf bunnies with a litter box that contains wood stove pellets and even non-clumping cat litter. You can easily litter train dwarf rabbits just like a cat or dog. So, you need not worry about the poop around the house as they will use the litter tray when nature calls.

You need to supply your dwarf rabbits with plenty of fresh hay all the time. You should purchase high quality orchard grass or hay for your dwarf bunny. You can even buy hay based pellets for your dwarf rabbits. When your dwarf rabbits are under six months of age, be sure you supply them with unlimited pellets. Those over six months of age should be given one quarter cup of pellets every day.

Your pet rabbit is not a cuddly stuffed toy rabbit. You can't treat it the way you would your toy rabbit. Rabbits have very fragile backbones. Never pick up your rabbit so that its hind legs are left dangling.

The rabbit might kick violently, possibly fracturing its backbone. Make sure that this does not happen, because the only solution if this happens is to put the rabbit to 'sleep'. Never lift the rabbit by its ears. It is very painful for the rabbit, just like it would pain you if someone tried to lift you by the ears.

The best way to lift your rabbit is to put one hand below its hind legs for support and the other below its chest and then lift it. The entire weight of the rabbit must be supported by your hands.

As far as possible avoid small children from picking up the rabbit. They tend to get a bit exited and might cause unintentional harm to the very rabbit they want to care for. If they insist on carrying the rabbit around, please get them well trained in the technique of lifting the rabbit.

When to visit the veterinarian

If you feed your rabbit with the correct diet and allow it to exercise enough, the veterinarian is someone you may never have to visit.

Always watch out for abnormal behavior in your rabbit. If you notice something different, it may be time to take your pet to the veterinarian. This may include a sudden loss in appetite, a sudden weight loss, suddenly wanting to be confined to the cage, extremely aggressive behavior, and just about anything that may seem abnormal.

If you notice that your rabbit has diarrhea (not very common in rabbits), do not wait. Your pet requires medical attention immediately.

Your rabbit is not as hardy as a cat or a dog. Do not wait for the symptoms to subside when you see one. If you are not sure of what it is, at least call the veterinarian. Based on the symptoms he will let you know the urgency.

Buy your pet rabbit from a reputed pet shop. Always keep the cage open and try to place it where there is a good flow of fresh air. Always keep the cage clean, with a sufficient stock of fresh food and water. Be very careful while lifting and handling your rabbit. Take your pet rabbit to the veterinarian as soon as you notice the slightest change in its behavior.

Following all this will allow you to have a bunny good time with your pet rabbit!

Proper care should be taken that you feed your pet rabbit the correct diet. A little care taken by you in feeding your pet will go a long way. It can ensure that your rabbit remains disease free, healthy, active, and enjoys a lifespan of between 10 to 15 years.

Thanks to what we see on television (Bunny Rabbit etc.) we presume that all rabbits enjoy are carrots. Not so. Rabbits are basically wild animals, so carrots are very much non-existent in their natural diet. Rabbits are herbivores and their primary diet consists of a variety of grass and leaves. Wild rabbits also enjoy the seasonal flower or fruit.

One part of what their natural diet consists of could be very repulsive to some. All rabbits will eat grass etc. Part of this goes into an intestinal tract known as the cecum. Here this grass is converted into small pellets that are soft and filled with nutrients.

These soft pellets are known as cecotropes and are eaten by the rabbit as they are being excreted. This is easily digested and contain fatty acids, vitamins and amino acids, which are all very important for the well being of the rabbit.

Your pet rabbits diet should consist primarily of hay. Always make sure that there is enough hay in the rabbits cage. There are two types of hay - grass and legume. Make sure that the hay you give your pet is the grass variety.

Meadow grass which is naturally sun dried is the best. Find out where you can have easy access to such grass/hay. It will be required throughout the life of the rabbit. Always make sure that the hay that you feed your rabbit is dry and fresh. The hay should never be damp and of dull color.

Do not worry about the rabbit spoiling its teeth with the constant chewing and munching of this hay. Rabbit teeth grow constantly, eliminating the possibility of teeth destruction.


Wild rabbits gorge on green grass and fresh leaves, so your pet should also get its fair share of greens. Along with hay, greens are a vital part of the rabbits diet because they will provide all of the nutrients that hay provides, but in addition fresh greens will provide the rabbit with water. Yes, the rabbit will have permanent access to fresh drinking water, but you can't force the rabbit to drink.

When the rabbit consumes greens they are also getting a sure supply of water. Good options are broccoli, cabbage, celery, and most of the greens that are dark in color. Occasionally feed your rabbit fruits such as pineapple, pear, peach, papaya, and any of the sweet berries. Special treats could include edible flowers such as roses and lilies.

As far as possible stay away from commercially available rabbit food. These foods are usually packed with starch and fat. They are made to the rabbits taste, so that the rabbit enjoys eating it. What will result is a rabbit that grows plump very fast. Many would think that this is very good, but just the opposite. Unwanted fat is accumulating in your chubby looking rabbit.

Many nutrients present in natural food may not be present in commercial food. No doubt, your rabbit will look cute and chubby for some time, but sooner or later it will begin to suffer. A plump fat rabbit is not a healthy rabbit. Healthy rabbits are those that have a strong muscular tone with minimal fat. The proper diet with enough exercise ensures this.

The proper diet will not only ensure that your rabbit is in the peak of health, but also reduce your veterinary bills.

Before buying a pet rabbit, many would have asked the question 'What are rabbits like - a cat, a dog'? A pet rabbit is neither like a pet cat nor a pet dog. Pet cats and dogs will take an immediate liking to you and not be afraid of you. This will happen with a pet rabbit too, but it will take much longer.

Your pet dog or cat can be fed on a variety of things including vegetables, fish, chicken, and meat, making feeding them absolutely worry-free.

Not the case with pet rabbits. You try feeding them just about anything, and that will be the end of your pet rabbit. Rabbits have got a very sensitive gastrointestinal tract.

Rabbits are very affectionate, but could get really aggressive and destructive at times. Many have got the misconception that a pet rabbit can be picked up and cuddled just like the kids stuffed bunny rabbit. In fact with pet rabbits it is just the opposite - even the slightest mishandling of your pet rabbit could prove fatal. Treating the rabbit gently is very important.


Making your new Pet Rabbit comfortable

When you get your new pet rabbit home, you must decide as to where the cage will be placed. Make sure it is placed where it will not obstruct your movement. The place should be well ventilated with a free flow of fresh air. Place the cage as close to the ground as possible.

Place bedding made of straw in the cage so that the rabbit feels comfortable. Remember that the cage is not a place to confine your rabbit. It is more of a place where the rabbit will retire for the night or whenever it is tired, or hungry. As far as possible do not keep the door of the cage shut, always leave it open.

Problems that your pet could face if confined to the cage will include a poor muscle tone because of no exercise, inflammation of the feet due to sitting in one place constantly, could become very lethargic, can be very aggressive at times, will become obese due to lack of any exercise. Most of all it will not turn out to be the happy, jumping about rabbit that you thought it would be.

A rabbit requires to be constantly active. Rabbits love jumping and running around. This helps keep their bodies in shape, keep their minds active and alert, and will help in eliminating a lot of sickness that will be present if they are confined to the cage.