If you are thinking of adopting an Angora rabbit, in this article on our site we will explain the basic care of these cute little rabbits.
The Angora rabbit is a variety of the domestic rabbit, so its care is very similar. Their origins are believed to be in Turkey, where they were exploited for their fur.
The coat differentiates them and that is why its care is very important. If you don't have time to brush and care for your Angora rabbit we recommend that you be responsible and consider it before taking it home.
Basic Angora rabbit care
There are four varieties of Angora rabbit:
- English Angora Rabbit
- French Angora Rabbit
- Giant Angora Rabbit
- Satin Angora Rabbit
Between the different varieties there are differences in size and color of the coat. But in terms of care they do not vary excessively.
Everyone needs a good diet, regular exercise and good coat care. With these points covered our little rabbit will grow strong and he althy.
They are delicate animals that cannot withstand temperatures above 30ºC or below 10ºC. We must prevent their cage from being located near sources of heat or cold to prevent them from catching a cold. If we allow him to go outside, which is highly advisable, it is better to prevent him from getting wet.
Angora rabbit cage
The cage is very important, your rabbit spends most of its time here. Therefore, it is essential that it is of an appropriate size. You should buy it taking into account the size that your furry companion will reach in its adult state. Although they can be very small when we take them home, in their adult state they can weigh up to 4 kg depending on the variety.
However if you have an outside area you can prepare an area for him where he can run and move freely. Always without forgetting that we should not expose it to extreme temperatures.
The rabbit must be able to move around inside the cage to exercise its muscles. Even if you take him out daily, it is important that the cage is a good size.
The floor of the cage must have a base, either straw, wood chips or paper There are different types. In a corner you can put a tray for it to relieve itself, normally they choose a corner and we should always put a base on it so that it absorbs the urine and prevents the rabbit from getting dirty.
The drinkers and feeders are the same as for any rabbit. It is more advisable to use contact drinkers because if we leave them bowls in the cage they may throw them away.
Feeding
Angora rabbits, like other rabbits, are herbivores. They feed on forage, greens, fruits and vegetables.
The hay is a key part of their diet. It provides a lot of fiber and avoids intestinal problems. It is advisable that you always have fresh hay in the cage. Sometimes they also make their beds in it.
Every day we have to prepare a salad for our friend with pieces of fresh vegetables, fodder and hay. Fruits should be incorporated into the diet two or three times a week. The feed we choose should be of quality, as it will be used as a complement to a diet that is as fresh and natural as possible.
You can learn more about rabbit feeding in the article Rabbit feeding.
Angora rabbit coat care
The coat is the most characteristic element of Angora rabbits. It is long and silky, and is used in the textile industry as wool. That is why we must take special care of its fur to avoid knots and that our rabbit does not look like a giant ball of fur.
Brushed
We should brush him at least two or three times a week with an appropriate brush. There are numerous types of brush on the market, use one that is not too hard, since the skin of the Angora rabbit is very sensitive. Some caregivers use two or more types of brushes for different parts of the body.
Rabbits, even if they are calm, can be very frightened if they are forced to brush. We must take it easy, reassuring and caressing the animal. We will brush hair and counter hair all over the back. Be careful not to hurt or scare him. Little by little we will also brush the most delicate areas, the face, ears and belly. Take your time especially the first few times.
Over time you will see how much easier it is to brush him and he is much calmer. With some basic brushing routines we will avoid the formation of knots and we will eliminate the excess of dead hair. Rabbits, like cats, ingest hair and it can cause problems. We can m alt it to avoid it.
Cut
It is convenient to keep the hair growth under control Angora rabbits grow a lot of hair and if we don't cut it regularly it will they will form knots and the hygiene of the animal will worsen. As in brushing, for the haircut the rabbit must be calm. With scissors we can carefully trim the hair, helping us with our fingers to leave a certain margin with respect to the skin. Their skin is very sensitive so it is not convenient to cut all their hair. We must leave a thin layer of hair as protection.
The first time you go to cut his hair, talk to your veterinarian, he will advise you on the best brush for your rabbit and will tell you how to proceed to cut his hair. Later, at home, it is convenient that you cut your hair with another person so that you can hold it and it is easier to work without hurting it.
Nails and teeth
Nails and teeth are elements that grow throughout lifeof the rabbit, so we must pay attention to them.
When the rabbit moves and runs, it wears down its nails. But in captivity this friction is not enough. For its cut we will use a special nail clipper (such as those of a cat) that allow us to cut our rabbit's nail with ease. The first time you can watch how your vet does it and then you can do it yourself at home. You just have to be careful not to cut beyond the tip of the nail, on the white part. You should never cut through the pink part of the nail, because here are the capillaries.
As for teeth, rabbits gnaw to keep their growth at bay, but sometimes the basic diet may not be enough. There are gnawwoods or other toys to help you file your teeth. If you notice that the growth of your rabbit's teeth still does not stop, go to your veterinarian.
Bath
Although some people recommend giving him a bath once or twice a year. The truth is that rabbits do not like water at all.
Rabbits, like cats, spend time grooming themselves and with a good brushing routine and haircuts, the rabbit should not be dirty. If your rabbit goes outside or if it has gotten very dirty and you decide to give it a bath, nothing happens. It should only be something occasional and done with care. The rabbit will be very scared at first but with warm water and special soaps for rabbits it is possible. Be patient and make sure you dry it well once finished. Remember that they are very sensitive to drafts and sudden changes in temperature.
There are also other methods of Dry cleaning or wet wipes that can help keep it clean without the need for a bath.
I hope these Angora rabbit care tips have been helpful to you and that you share a picture of your furry companion with all of us.
