Bunny Care Guides
Bunny Care Sheet
By Brandy A. @ BunnyBees.com
Congratulations on your new family member! NOW WHAT? Don’t worry this sheet of things to know will help you get started. First of all I encourage you to reference the internet, library and local feed stores about anything you can find out about rabbits. There is tons of vital information as well as very interesting facts regarding your new bunny. In this page I will help introduce you to some basics that can help put you at ease. I have yet to meet anyone who knows "everything" out there about rabbits. I have found that blending lots of opinions helps find many solutions to hurdles I have encountered.
1. HANDLING YOUR BUNNY:
NEVER EVER PICK YOUR RABBIT UP BY THE EARS! Rabbits are extremely fragile and do not react well to yelling or chasing! This will create fear and quite possibly aggression as well as an unmanageable pet! Be calm. Patience is rewarded with your bunny. Offer treats when your rabbit approaches you on her own. Let her know your presence is a positive situation with benefits. When holding your rabbit use gentle petting. They love their ears stroked. If your rabbit is jumpy and begins to struggle in your arms, simply cup your hand over her eyes and speak in soothing tones. Your rabbit should relax. Rabbits usually cannot fear what they don’t see. Always monitor children when interacting with your bunny.
2. SPAY & NEUTER:
I strongly advise you to spay and neuter your bunnies. You should never breed your rabbits without consulting a professional. You could endanger the health of mom and babies without appropriate knowledge as well as chancing an invasion of babies at your residence.
3. DIET:
Please do not feed your rabbit strictly pellets! Baby bunnies through the age of 6 months should be given unlimited pellets along with the other portion of their balanced diet due to the fact they are nutrient and calorie packed which growing bunnies need! Adults can be free-fed or measured. If you wish to monitor your adult rabbit’s diet,
feed daily: 1/4 cup for 5-7lbs, 1/2 cup for 8-10lbs, and 3/4 cup for 11-15lbs.
Alfalfa hay should be given to babies up to 7 months of age as well as kindling mothers. Adults should receive Timothy hay or oat hay. Make your rabbits hay available at all times. This is vital to their digestion.
Oats are also an excellent addition to the diet. A small amount of Quaker Oatmeal given daily (dry), is a delicious treat for your bunny and very beneficial for their immune system. It is also a good remedy for common diarrhea (too many veggies!).
Veggies are wonderful sources of nutrition for your bunny. Avoid cabbage, lettuce and avocado. Carrots, broccoli, mustard greens etc. are great ones to introduce.
For bunnies less than 3 months old avoid large amounts of any veggies - introduce very gradually even as you would a human baby. Fruits are a great treat and can be offered in small amounts 2-3 times a week. Examples are sliced apples, bananas or oranges. Again the internet has endless info on lists of safe foods for your bunny. Make sure your bunny has plenty of fresh drinking water daily!
Here is a list of foods that are safe for rabbits that I go by:
Veggies should be given in moderation daily!
2-4 carrots, mustard or collard greens, clover, parsley, dandelion flowers and leaves, cilantro, green peppers, broccoli, alfalfa, radish, and clover sprouts, romaine lettuce, celery without the strings, spinach, kale
Fruits should be given in small amounts!
2-4 raisins per day, apples bananas, strawberries, grapes, peaches, blueberries, raspberries, orange, melon
DO NOT GIVE RABBITS THE FOLLOWING!
crackers, cookies, seeds, nuts, chocolate, sugary breakfast cereals, corn, peas, potatoes, iceberg lettuce?, treats with meat, or avocado and cabbage.
4. HOUSING:
Selecting a cage for your new bunny should be conducted carefully. It needs to include a litter box, feeder, water bottle, toys, and bedding as well as your bunny. I recommend a cage with a drop pan which makes clean up much easier. Clean cage about twice a week. I use a diluted bleach and water solution or vinegar and make sure surfaces are completely dry before returning your bunny. Do not use cedar shavings for bedding as they have been know to cause respiratory problems in small animals. Aspen, straw, towels, blankets, or newspaper make great bedding. You should use a separate kind of bedding in your litter box than in the bottom of the cage to make it clear that they may use the restroom in that area. It is highly encouraged to house your bunny indoors away from predators, heat and possible parasite threats! Cages with mesh bottoms will require a resting block to prevent sore hocks.
5. Exercise:
Before allowing your bunny to run the house, make sure to close all the doors. They can fit through the tightest places. Cover cords, phone jacks, cables and wires. Remove any cleaners or poisons in their reach. Put up your other pets. And supervise! An enclosed play area is best.
6. EMERGENCIES:
Your rabbit may require veterinary attention if you notice any of these unusual symptoms in extreme:
Lack of appetite (under normal conditions and for longer than a day), diarrhea, few or no fecal pellets, listlessness, crusty ears, overgrown teeth, mucus around eyes or nose, urine soaked fur, lump or swelling, head tilt or any sudden behavior change.
These are simply my opinions as a rabbit owner. They are certainly not the only way to raise a healthy rabbit! I encourage you to become more educated about the health and safety of your pet beyond this page. Enjoy your new pet!
By Brandy A. @ BunnyBees.com
Congratulations on your new family member! NOW WHAT? Don’t worry this sheet of things to know will help you get started. First of all I encourage you to reference the internet, library and local feed stores about anything you can find out about rabbits. There is tons of vital information as well as very interesting facts regarding your new bunny. In this page I will help introduce you to some basics that can help put you at ease. I have yet to meet anyone who knows "everything" out there about rabbits. I have found that blending lots of opinions helps find many solutions to hurdles I have encountered.
1. HANDLING YOUR BUNNY:
NEVER EVER PICK YOUR RABBIT UP BY THE EARS! Rabbits are extremely fragile and do not react well to yelling or chasing! This will create fear and quite possibly aggression as well as an unmanageable pet! Be calm. Patience is rewarded with your bunny. Offer treats when your rabbit approaches you on her own. Let her know your presence is a positive situation with benefits. When holding your rabbit use gentle petting. They love their ears stroked. If your rabbit is jumpy and begins to struggle in your arms, simply cup your hand over her eyes and speak in soothing tones. Your rabbit should relax. Rabbits usually cannot fear what they don’t see. Always monitor children when interacting with your bunny.
2. SPAY & NEUTER:
I strongly advise you to spay and neuter your bunnies. You should never breed your rabbits without consulting a professional. You could endanger the health of mom and babies without appropriate knowledge as well as chancing an invasion of babies at your residence.
3. DIET:
Please do not feed your rabbit strictly pellets! Baby bunnies through the age of 6 months should be given unlimited pellets along with the other portion of their balanced diet due to the fact they are nutrient and calorie packed which growing bunnies need! Adults can be free-fed or measured. If you wish to monitor your adult rabbit’s diet,
feed daily: 1/4 cup for 5-7lbs, 1/2 cup for 8-10lbs, and 3/4 cup for 11-15lbs.
Alfalfa hay should be given to babies up to 7 months of age as well as kindling mothers. Adults should receive Timothy hay or oat hay. Make your rabbits hay available at all times. This is vital to their digestion.
Oats are also an excellent addition to the diet. A small amount of Quaker Oatmeal given daily (dry), is a delicious treat for your bunny and very beneficial for their immune system. It is also a good remedy for common diarrhea (too many veggies!).
Veggies are wonderful sources of nutrition for your bunny. Avoid cabbage, lettuce and avocado. Carrots, broccoli, mustard greens etc. are great ones to introduce.
For bunnies less than 3 months old avoid large amounts of any veggies - introduce very gradually even as you would a human baby. Fruits are a great treat and can be offered in small amounts 2-3 times a week. Examples are sliced apples, bananas or oranges. Again the internet has endless info on lists of safe foods for your bunny. Make sure your bunny has plenty of fresh drinking water daily!
Here is a list of foods that are safe for rabbits that I go by:
Veggies should be given in moderation daily!
2-4 carrots, mustard or collard greens, clover, parsley, dandelion flowers and leaves, cilantro, green peppers, broccoli, alfalfa, radish, and clover sprouts, romaine lettuce, celery without the strings, spinach, kale
Fruits should be given in small amounts!
2-4 raisins per day, apples bananas, strawberries, grapes, peaches, blueberries, raspberries, orange, melon
DO NOT GIVE RABBITS THE FOLLOWING!
crackers, cookies, seeds, nuts, chocolate, sugary breakfast cereals, corn, peas, potatoes, iceberg lettuce?, treats with meat, or avocado and cabbage.
4. HOUSING:
Selecting a cage for your new bunny should be conducted carefully. It needs to include a litter box, feeder, water bottle, toys, and bedding as well as your bunny. I recommend a cage with a drop pan which makes clean up much easier. Clean cage about twice a week. I use a diluted bleach and water solution or vinegar and make sure surfaces are completely dry before returning your bunny. Do not use cedar shavings for bedding as they have been know to cause respiratory problems in small animals. Aspen, straw, towels, blankets, or newspaper make great bedding. You should use a separate kind of bedding in your litter box than in the bottom of the cage to make it clear that they may use the restroom in that area. It is highly encouraged to house your bunny indoors away from predators, heat and possible parasite threats! Cages with mesh bottoms will require a resting block to prevent sore hocks.
5. Exercise:
Before allowing your bunny to run the house, make sure to close all the doors. They can fit through the tightest places. Cover cords, phone jacks, cables and wires. Remove any cleaners or poisons in their reach. Put up your other pets. And supervise! An enclosed play area is best.
6. EMERGENCIES:
Your rabbit may require veterinary attention if you notice any of these unusual symptoms in extreme:
Lack of appetite (under normal conditions and for longer than a day), diarrhea, few or no fecal pellets, listlessness, crusty ears, overgrown teeth, mucus around eyes or nose, urine soaked fur, lump or swelling, head tilt or any sudden behavior change.
These are simply my opinions as a rabbit owner. They are certainly not the only way to raise a healthy rabbit! I encourage you to become more educated about the health and safety of your pet beyond this page. Enjoy your new pet!
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...and for more info:
Kim's Rabbit Hutch Help - FAQ
Precious Pet Rabbits
PetRabbitCare.org