Many people think that raising rabbits is easy, but in reality, there are many things that people misunderstand about rabbits, causing many rabbit caregivers to take care of them in the wrong way. Rabbits may seem like well-behaved pets, not naughty, not noisy, but behind that cuteness is proper care in terms of food, health, and a suitable environment. In this article, we will come to a new understanding of various misunderstandings about rabbits that many people may unwittingly believe.
1. Staple food
❌Myth: Rabbits eat carrots as their main food.
✅Fact: Rabbits should eat mainly hay. 70-80%
Hays such as timothy or alfalfa (for baby rabbits) are very important for a rabbit's digestive system. They help wear down the rabbit's teeth naturally and prevent serious health problems such as flatulence. Carrots and other vegetables should only be given as a supplement in small amounts, as they are high in sugar. Eating too much can cause flatulence, diarrhea, or even flatulence.

2. Bathing
❌Myth: Rabbits can take a bath.
✅Fact: If it is not necessary or not recommended by a veterinarian, it is better to avoid bathing.
Bathing can cause severe stress and shock to rabbits, leading to injury while bathing. In addition, rabbits' dense fur is very difficult to dry when wet and clumps. It takes hours to completely dry again, which can put them at risk of hypothermia and skin and lung infections. Therefore, cleaning rabbits should be done by wiping them with a damp cloth or bathing them with dry shampoo only on dirty spots.

3. Socializing
❌Myth: Rabbits are solitary animals.
✅Fact: Rabbits are social animals and are best kept in groups.
Rabbits are naturally social animals that live in packs. Having a rabbit friend can help reduce stress and boredom and promote natural behaviors, making your rabbit more mentally sound and happier. However, introducing a new rabbit to other rabbits requires gradual introduction.

4. Health check
❌Myth: Rabbits don't need health checks.
✅Fact: Rabbits are at risk of abnormally long teeth, ear worms, and bloating. They should be checked every 6-12 months.
Rabbits are good at hiding their symptoms, so annual health checks (or every 6 months for senior rabbits) by a veterinarian who specializes in exotic pets are very important because we can detect health problems that they may have, such as abnormally long teeth, respiratory infections, and digestive problems early on so that they can be treated promptly before the symptoms become more severe.

5. Obesity
❌Myth: Fat rabbits = healthy.
✅Fact: Obesity = risk of osteoarthritis, diabetes, poor digestion
Being overweight in rabbits can lead to a number of serious health problems, such as arthritis, cardiovascular disease, or an increased risk of developing hepatic lipidosis, a life-threatening condition. In addition, an overweight rabbit will not be able to clean itself and eat its own soft droppings (cecotropes), which are nutrients that rabbits need to absorb important nutrients. If they do not eat, it will have a negative effect on their digestive system and overall health.

Raising rabbits to be healthy and happy is not too difficult…you just need to start with the right understanding. If you are a new rabbit owner or an experienced rabbit owner who still has questions about proper care, including other exotic animals, whether it is food, disease prevention or behavior, our team of specialized veterinarians at Taling Chan Animal Hospital We are happy to provide advice and are ready to take care of every little one with true understanding because we want to “Give the best for one life… that you love.”
Reference from
https://rabbitcareexpert.com/how-often-should-rabbits-go-to-the-vet/
