How to Keep Your Dutch Bunny Healthy

The Dutch rabbit can be identified by its striking, symmetrical markings. The rabbit has a white nose, saddle, feet and underside of its tail. It will also sport a single color that forms a hood marking, covering both of its eyes and ears as well as the lower half of its body. The colors that are permissible in combination with white include black, chocolate, tortoiseshell, yellow, steel, blue, pale gray and brown-gray, according to DutchBunnies.co.uk. The Dutch rabbit has a reputation for being good-matured and can live to between 6 and 10 years of age. Keep your Dutch rabbit healthy using the recommended techniques.

Things You'll Need

  • Wash cloth
  • Grass
  • Hay
  • Pellet food
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Instructions

    • 1

      Get your Dutch rabbit immunized against diseases, such as Myxomatosis by booking an appointment with your local veterinarian.

    • 2

      Keep your rabbit clean by removing any droppings that get stuck in the fur around its genitals. This can help to prevent flystrike (flies laying their eggs on the rabbit), which can be a fatal condition. Turn the rabbit on its back, and support its head in the crook of one arm. Clean away droppings with a wash cloth dipped in tepid water. Clean the cage at least every other day. The dutch rabbit generally does not require any other type of grooming, due to its short coat.

    • 3

      Provide your Dutch rabbit with a secure space in which to exercise on a daily basis. This will help to keep your rabbit fit, both physically and mentally. If the exercise area is outdoors, remove any weeds from the area, such as buttercups. These are toxic to the rabbit, although grass and dandelions are good for the rabbit.

    • 4

      Feed your rabbit a diet of coarse grass and hay. This should make up about 80 percent of your rabbit's diet to keep its stomach healthy. Also provide your Dutch with a good quality pellet food that is made specially for rabbits. This should make up the remainder of your rabbit's diet. Provide your rabbit two regular meals a day but keep hay available at all times.

    • 5

      Be sure that fresh water is always available to your rabbit. In hot weather provide your Dutch with adequate shade to prevent it from developing heat stroke, which can be fatal.