Netherland dwarf rabbits or polish rabbits as they're alternately called, are a small breed of bunnies that are round in shape, with a face to match and have short stubby ears. They weigh in only at about 0.9kg and are extremely fragile a breed to handle. Kids of a certain age aren't advised to take care of these rabbits, being extremely delicate animals, with the fear of them dropping it down from a height. These rabbits have been known to reproduce litters of 2 to up to 6 at a time. It is said that those who decide to take care of this type of rabbit breed have to be aware that the female has to mate and produce before she turns a year old. This is because the pelvic bones fuse together when they advance past a year, not allowing the rabbit to give birth naturally. It takes about 32 days for the female to give birth, or sometimes lesser. Being miniature in size, this rabbit is easy to take care of, with no hassles of accommodating its small frame. Unlike large breeds, the Netherland dwarf rabbit proves to be quite an apt choice for a pet. These rabbits can live up to about 7 years or more, depending on how well you take care of this little bunny. A rabbit's diet has to consist of all things healthy and not human food related, since the digestive system of this breed is sensitive. There are a variety of colors that these rabbits come in - smoke pearl, white, chinchilla, Siamese sable, tan, black, seal point, oral and blue. How to Take Care of a Netherland Dwarf Rabbit To understand the responsibility that goes into Netherland dwarf rabbit care, you'd have to do a lot of research on how to take care of rabbits in general, since all breeds have the same needs.

What Do I Feed My Rabbit?

A lot of people feed rabbits human food, to either save up on buying them their separate stock of food, or because they don't really care what their pets eat. It is important to realize that all pets have their own individual needs, and without addressing these in the right way, you are in for trouble. Rabbits unlike other pets, have highly sensitive digestive systems, where the Netherland dwarf rabbit is the most frail one among the others. You need to keep the three most important meals at home that your rabbit needs - rabbit feed/dry mix, fruits and veggies. Fruits have to be given in moderation while veggies can be given in abundance. Do not ignore the importance of feeding your rabbit feed/dry mix, since it makes up for lost vitamins and minerals while eating other food sources. Give these bunnies plenty of drinking water, especially during the summer. Use heavy based bowls to avoid food from being knocked over. Feed them at least four times a day.

What Medication is Required?

When you first get your rabbit, it is important to have them vaccinated. A rabies shot is vital, including a stock of de-worming medicines. These will help clear the rabbit's system of unwanted foreign agents. The best way to give these tablets (de-worming) is to crush these and sprinkle it atop the fruit/veggies before serving. Take them for check ups at least once a month to help keep your rabbit illness free.

Where do I Put My Pet Rabbit?

The best housing area for a pet rabbit is either in a spacious cage, or a rabbit hutch made from wood. It serves as an area where rabbits have ample space to laze around in and run about. These should be ideally placed in a patio with a lot of shade, and no direct sunlight entering their territory around the cage/hutch. They can suffer from heat strokes if kept in extremely hot spaces. Ensure that wind is constantly traveling about that area, so that the rabbits are kept cool. You can let him/her out to run around your patio, since they need their stretching and exercise time.

How to Arrange My Rabbit's Bedding?

Rabbits prefer a layer of soft material beneath them, or one that is cool and smooth. Place soft towels to one side of the cage, with a good portion of hay surrounding the nesting area for nibble sake. Keep food and water to the extreme opposite side of the cage to give them enough room to lay down on. Change newspaper laid out in the cage/hutch frequently, and put clean towels every few days to eliminate the stench that accompanies a rabbit's waste.

What to Do About Excessive Chewing?

Rabbits need to constantly chew and gnaw at something, especially when they're teething. Besides a good helping of hay in the cage, keep loose cardboard pieces around and newspaper balls. They'll nibble on these instead of your favorite shoes and home appliance wires. Keep personal things away from the path of your rabbit since it can prove to be quite a mess when dealing with its chewing habit. Wires should be kept at a height at all times, or concealed from the rabbit's view.

How Do I Groom My Pet Rabbit?

It is not hard to groom this little bunny, since Netherland dwarf rabbits have short hair that stick up and don't fall in long thick layers. Using a soft bristled hair brush, comb your rabbit's fur once a week to get rid of loose hair and tangles if any. Avoid giving him/her a bath since rabbits clean themselves up pretty well. If the rabbit makes too much of a mess or is extremely dirty to even clean itself, then give it a brief warm shower. Avoid doing this often, since rabbits can go into shock and become weak over time.

Be prepared for some days when your patience will be stretched and tested, since rabbits can sometimes be a pain when cared for.