UVB lamps / Vitamin D

Vitamin D is an important nutrient that helps rabbits absorb calcium and phosphorus .

These two minerals are essential for the development and maintenance of bones and teeth. Without sufficient vitamin D, rabbits can suffer from bone disease.

To ensure that rabbits produce enough vitamin D, they need UVB light . UVB lamps emit rays that help rabbits produce vitamin D in their skin.

However, a suitable UVB lamp should not be placed too close to the rabbits as this can cause burns .

A distance of at least 40 cm from the lamp is recommended. You should also have protection around your light source so that your loved ones do not come into contact with it. The lamp should also burn for around 5-10 hours a day to ensure sufficient vitamin D production.
In conclusion, a suitable UVB lamp plays a very important role in the health of rabbits and guinea pigs.

Adequate lighting in the rabbit enclosure is very important to ensure that the rabbits can produce sufficient vitamin D and are protected from diseases.

For rabbits, vitamin D is also important for healthy bones and teeth. Rabbits need adequate amounts of calcium and phosphorus in their diet to keep their bones and teeth strong and healthy.

Vitamin D is essential for the absorption and metabolism of these minerals in the rabbit's body.
In addition, vitamin D is also very important for the immune system of rabbits.
It can help reduce inflammation in the body and reduce the risk of infections.

However, it is important to note that rabbits must get their vitamin D primarily from their diet , as they cannot get it from sunlight like humans
sufficient vitamin D. Rabbits therefore need a balanced diet with sufficient vitamin D and many other important nutrients.

• We can also contribute to this through species-appropriate and healthy nutrition, e.g. from nature.
  Plants rich in vitamin D include dandelions, watercress, St. John's wort, and nettles . However, sunlight cannot be replaced by such foods, and the vitamin D content in such plants does not even come close to the effect of sunlight, so these can be offered in addition to sunlight.

• Artificial vitamin intake?
  The vitamin can be supplied synthetically through enriched food or vitamin D drops. This can be useful temporarily, especially in the case of an acute deficiency caused by years of indoor housing, if your veterinarian prescribes it, but this form of vitamin D supply should not be used in the long term!

A study by Frances Harcourt-Brown in 2002 showed that rabbits that were deprived of direct sunlight had completely used up their vitamin D stores after about 5/6 months!

This study examined both laboratory and field rabbits and found that rabbits kept outdoors in aviaries or barns and without direct access to sunlight are also affected.

It is therefore important to ensure that rabbits have sufficient vitamin D in their diet to keep their bones and teeth healthy and support their immune system.

If rabbits do not have access to sunlight, it is important to offer them a UVB lamp.

• Rabbits store vitamin D3 for some time, so that rabbits that only spend the winter indoors and are outside during the summer, for example, could survive for almost half a year with the stored vitamin D3 and occasional direct sunlight (of course without window glass).
  

• Bone softening associated with muscle and bone pain.

• Dental diseases due to poor mineralization of the regrowing teeth, as they have a very high demand.

• Very poor healing of bone fractures.

• Bladder grit and bladder stones can also be a cause here.

• Poor immune system.

The lighting time generally depends on how much UVB radiation ultimately reaches your rabbit and how many watts you have chosen, so this cannot be generalized here.

This in turn also depends on the conditions of your enclosure, do you have a very bright room with plenty of daylight and which lamp and at what distance you use for your loved ones.

If there is little UVB light, your rabbits and guinea pigs will have to lie under it for longer in order to produce enough vitamin D. The tanning time can therefore vary greatly from 15 minutes to several hours a day.

Tip : Use a timer that automatically turns on and off in the morning and evening so that it doesn't burn all day.
For example, we turn the lamp on for two hours in the morning and again in the evening.

We have connected the lamp to a timer so that it switches off automatically after the time you set.

After about 15-20 minutes of regular use of this lamp, we noticed that they then leave the area around the lamp.

There is a limited radius in which a UVB lamp can be effective, so it is important to choose a suitable place where your rabbits like to sit or sleep.

For example, you could choose an area where they like to rest or use the feeding area.
However, it is also important to ensure that they have the opportunity to escape the light if they want to. For example, we have installed the rabbit lamp directly above the feeding litter box.

This way they can decide for themselves whether they want to enjoy their food and do their business under the UVB lamp or eat somewhere else.
This has the advantage that the lighting is used during feeding, but only when the rabbits want it.

Artificial UVB light sources are an important part of caring for pets such as reptiles, turtles and amphibians!

They allow animals to absorb sufficient UVB rays, which are essential for their health and well-being. However, it is important to understand that these lamps deteriorate over time.

The phosphor used in the lamps is gradually used up. Even if the lamp still emits bright light, this is no indication that sufficient UVB rays are still being emitted.
For this reason, it is recommended to replace the lamps every 6 months to a year to ensure that the animals are still receiving sufficient UVB rays.

It is also important to note that the durability of the lamps depends on various factors, such as the intensity of use and the ambient temperature.
If the lamp is used intensively over a long period of time or is exposed to high temperatures, its lifespan may be shortened.

To ensure that your pets are still receiving adequate UVB rays, you should therefore regularly replace the lamps and make sure that they are used at an appropriate distance and under the right conditions.

When it comes to choosing the right rabbit lamp, it can be difficult to keep track of all the important factors.

There are many different types of lamps on the market, and each has its own advantages and disadvantages.

A checklist can be very helpful here to ensure that you consider all the important points and make the best choice for your rabbits.
Such a checklist could, for example, include the following points:

• The right size: Make sure the lamp is large enough to cover the entire area where your rabbits are.

• The right wattage: The wattage should be matched to the size of the rabbit hutch to ensure sufficient lighting and warmth.

• The type of lamp: There are different types of lamps on the market, including LED, halogen and fluorescent.
  Choose a lamp that best suits your rabbits’ needs.

• UVB rays: Rabbits need UVB rays to stay healthy. Make sure the lamp emits this radiation as well.

• Safety: Make sure the lamp is safe to use and does not pose a fire hazard.

• Price: Compare prices and choose a lamp that fits your budget.

With this checklist you have all the important points at hand and can thus ensure that you do not forget anything when choosing a rabbit lamp.

This way you can ensure that your rabbits receive the best lighting and warmth to stay healthy and happy.