|
|
| Home | CRR's Bucks | CRR's Does | Available Rabbits | Sales Policy | FAQ | Links |
Home |
CRR's Bucks |
CRR's Does |
Available Rabbits |
Sales
Policy |
FAQ
|
Links
|
Your New Bunny
Throughout my years of raising rabbits, I have put together the following information for the benefit of those who have acquired pet bunnies from Country Rain Rabbitry. Enjoy! Litter Box Training Yes, rabbits can be litter box trained! If you so choose to litter box train, all you have to do is follow these few simple steps. First off you can get a rabbit litter box at Petsmart or Petco. You may use rabbit litter/bedding or cat litter in the litter box. Your rabbit will have a certain “spot” he/she likes to go in, in one of the corners of his cage- that’s where you put the litter box. The way you set up the litter box is to cover the bottom of the box with the bedding and put a reasonable amount of Timothy/Grass Hay near the opening so he can nibble on that while he is doing his business. And remember that it does take some patience and time for him to get the hang of it. Until he does, put a couple of his droppings in the litter box, so he knows that is where he is suppose to go. Change the litter every 2-4 days.
Housing and Toys
Depending on your rabbit’s living conditions (indoor/outdoor) you will need to be willing to provide him with the proper environment. OUTDOOR- The best type of housing for an outdoor rabbit is a wooden hutch. They will provide good shelter in harsh weather, one like in the picture above is ideal; it has an enclosed area to escape the weather. The biggest inconvenience that comes with housing rabbits outside- is having to work with the weather. The hutch cannot be in direct sunlight in the summer, and their water will freeze in the winter- so it needs to be changed often. A hutch with an accessible play pen is a great choice like the one in the picture so you bunny can get the exercise he needs. INDOOR- Various housing choices for indoor rabbits include hutches, cages, or pens- all of which are suitable. If you choose a pet store cage, check to see if it’s tall enough for your rabbit to stand up comfortably, and that it is large enough for accessories. Bunnies love the space of exercise pens- whether you set it up for indoor use, or outside on nice days for a bit of exercise, he will be very content. Keeping your bunny enclosed in a barred pen will make him feel more apart of the family. Simply clear a place in your house for a doggy play pen and fill it with all of the essentials (litter box, toys…etc). I tend to prefer the conventional cage as it gives the rabbit that sense of security they need. They really do need access to a smaller space that makes them feel safe- especially if there are other pets in the house that think a bunny would make a nice chew toy. As long as they get a good amount of time out of the cage, they should completely satisfied with the arrangement. TOYS- Toys are very important to keep your rabbit occupied and are great for their mental health. Some good choices are ones like the grass ball in the picture, apple branches (store bought), and other objects they can move around and chew. Sociability and Play Time If you want your bunny to stay/become enjoyable to handle, it is critical for you to have regular cuddle sessions. Cuddle sessions should involve lots of touching. Play with his ears, feet- give special attention to the places he isn’t too fond of being handled, eventually he will become tolerant of any situation. A bunny can become very close with his owner and will want to spend time with you; bunnies also need time out of their cage to just run around or he will become extremely irritable. Getting a doggy playpen and setting it up outside is a good way to let your bunny run around, eat some grass, and get some fresh air. Another option is a leash and harness made for rabbits. Using a leash and harness will give your rabbit a chance to graze and stretch his legs outside- but remember the rabbit walks you, you don’t walk the rabbit. You could seriously injure your rabbit if trying to walk him like a dog. Rabbits can also respond to their name by using it often around him and offering a rewarding treat when he comes to his name. Teaching your rabbit to perform tricks is also a good way to spend time with him. You’d be amazed to see what a rabbit is capable of J Diet Rabbits need mixture of different things in order to live a healthy life. · Hay- Timothy, grass, or a mixture of the two hays is essential to a bunny’s diet (note: alfalfa hay is too rich for everyday use). I give my rabbits a generous hand full of timothy/grass hay every morning, some people just let them have free access to hay all day – either is fine as long as it is in their diet. · Rabbit Feed (Pellets) - you will have to start off serving your new bunny a mixture of the brand you choose to feed and the brand I have been feeding them together so they don’t become sick. (I use Southern State’s 15% protein rabbit feed which comes in a 50 lb bag, but save your self the trouble and pick up your feed at a store that is most convenient for you). Ideally look for something between 14% and 16% protein- suitable for most rabbit breeds. Netherland Dwarfs- 1/3-1/2 cup and Holland Lops 1/3-1 cup (ideally 1/2cup) of pellets daily. · Water- all animals should have access to water 24/7. Water bottles work best in most situations. · Treats- Use treats sparingly. Feeding your rabbit fruits and vegetables is ok- as long as it is in moderation (too much could result with diarrhea or other digestive problems). They can eat dark leafy and rooted vegetables like leafy lettuce and carrots. Pineapples, bananas, and apples have a good amount of antioxidants in them, but remember FEED IN MODERATION. About 2 tablespoons of fruits/veggies a day is about as much as they should have. A New Home Your new bunny will need some time to adjust to his new home and owner. He may be shy at first to the all the new changes, but he will adjust and show his true personality in no time. (TIP: stick with routines to get him feeling secure and comfortable). General Information · Life Expectancy- anywhere from 7- 12 years (the life expectancy will most likely extend if you spay/neuter them). · Fleas & Ticks- If you take your bunny outside a lot, there is a chance he could get fleas or ticks (I have never experienced it and I allow my rabbits in an outside pen during warm weather). If it should occur, wash rabbit with cat, or other small animal flea shampoo. · Spaying and Neutering- this is a smart choice, especially if you plan on having more than one rabbit. Not only will it extend your rabbit’s life span, but it will make them “less moody.” Also having the same sex of rabbit together with out them being neutered (or spayed) can cause them to fight, although the chances that they would fight are slim, if they have grown up together. · Traveling- The biggest danger of traveling with a rabbit (like in a car) is heat exhaustion. They are rather sensitive to heat and are easily dehydrated, but with their basic needs in mind traveling with your rabbit can be a smooth process. · Do Rabbits Need Vaccinations? - No, since they are small caged animals and do not run around more ground like dogs, they do not require vaccinations. You may want to give them a bit of oral de-wormer if they start losing a significant amount of weight, but try adding dry oatmeal to their pellets first, that usually helps them bulk up.
Understanding Your Bunny Rabbit This is just a fun guide that translates what your bunny is trying to tell you and how he is expressing his self. I have seen my rabbits do almost all of the following and it really is entertaining to see how much personality they have!
|
Copyright © 2007-Present. No content or images may be taken from this site.
