Care Sheet
Below is what I personally do for my bunnies and what I recommend for bunnies that are born at my rabbitry. This sheet was written to make your life with one of our buns fun, stress-free, and easy as possible! There are several things listed below to help you have a successful transition of your baby bunny from our rabbitry to your home. If you have any other additional questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to contact me.
Thank you for taking the time to read and enjoy your new bunny!
Thank you for taking the time to read and enjoy your new bunny!
Supplies needed for your Bunny:
- Cage/Pen/Hutch/Living Area (the bigger the better)
- Water & Food Bowls
- Unlimited Timothy Hay
- Food Pellets
- Unlimited Water
- Designated Litter Area
- Space to run & stretch daily
- Toys for entrenchment
Transition in your home:
Try and keep your bunny in a stress-free, and in a calm environment until they are eating and seem well-adjusted. Rabbits can get stressed very easily and it can kill them. They will already be stressed leaving our care, which is completely natural as they will be in a new environment that they do not know. If they seem to be in the back of their cage, let them stay there and get used to their new surroundings. Bunnies are also very curious animals. All our bunnies are handled on a daily basis from day one, continuing to be hands on with them after you take them home is key! It can take anywhere from a come days or months for your bunny to trust you and their new environment. If you give them time to adjust your bunny will began to trust you and bond with you. If you have other pets make sure you introduce them very slowly.
Try and keep your bunny in a stress-free, and in a calm environment until they are eating and seem well-adjusted. Rabbits can get stressed very easily and it can kill them. They will already be stressed leaving our care, which is completely natural as they will be in a new environment that they do not know. If they seem to be in the back of their cage, let them stay there and get used to their new surroundings. Bunnies are also very curious animals. All our bunnies are handled on a daily basis from day one, continuing to be hands on with them after you take them home is key! It can take anywhere from a come days or months for your bunny to trust you and their new environment. If you give them time to adjust your bunny will began to trust you and bond with you. If you have other pets make sure you introduce them very slowly.
Transition food:
Transition food is very important part of bringing home a new bunny. Each one of my bunnies is sent home with a bag of pellets that are currently on (Brand: Blue Hutch Deluxe). Bunnies have sensitive bellies and can get sick relatively easy, and can be fatal. It is crucial for your bunny to have access to hay to help them settle in. When giving your bun pellets make sure you transition the feed properly. Anytime you change your bunnies feed or introduce them to something new you should introduce slowly. Buying more of the feed your bunnies currently on to do a longer transition to the feed you want your bunny to be one, is always a great choice. If you are wanting to do a longer transition for your bunny let me know as you can purchase more of the feed your bunny is on from me.
Transition food is very important part of bringing home a new bunny. Each one of my bunnies is sent home with a bag of pellets that are currently on (Brand: Blue Hutch Deluxe). Bunnies have sensitive bellies and can get sick relatively easy, and can be fatal. It is crucial for your bunny to have access to hay to help them settle in. When giving your bun pellets make sure you transition the feed properly. Anytime you change your bunnies feed or introduce them to something new you should introduce slowly. Buying more of the feed your bunnies currently on to do a longer transition to the feed you want your bunny to be one, is always a great choice. If you are wanting to do a longer transition for your bunny let me know as you can purchase more of the feed your bunny is on from me.
Feed:
I feed my rabbits 1/2 a cup of plain pellets a day per bunny (brand: Blue Hutch Deluxe). Pet store rabbit food is generally mixed with treats or other feed which I do NOT recommend, for some bunnies that will only eat certain pieces and not get all the nutrition they need. If you purchase from a pet store and don’t have access to the same type of rabbit feed I use, I recommend using the brand Oxbow that is very common in pet stores.
I feed my rabbits 1/2 a cup of plain pellets a day per bunny (brand: Blue Hutch Deluxe). Pet store rabbit food is generally mixed with treats or other feed which I do NOT recommend, for some bunnies that will only eat certain pieces and not get all the nutrition they need. If you purchase from a pet store and don’t have access to the same type of rabbit feed I use, I recommend using the brand Oxbow that is very common in pet stores.
Water:
Bunnies need clean, fresh water available at all times. If the rabbit gets too thirsty, they may also stop eating and get very dehydrated. All my bunnies use water bowls as it is better for the health of their teeth than a water bottle. Water bowl also tend to get dirty with hay, pellets, and droppings, so you will need be changing your bunnies water in the crock often.
Bunnies need clean, fresh water available at all times. If the rabbit gets too thirsty, they may also stop eating and get very dehydrated. All my bunnies use water bowls as it is better for the health of their teeth than a water bottle. Water bowl also tend to get dirty with hay, pellets, and droppings, so you will need be changing your bunnies water in the crock often.
Hay:
Bunnies need hay in their diet for proper digestion and good gut health. Hay also helps wear down your bunnies teeth that are constantly growing and prevents boredom. Hay should be fed daily and they should have an unlimited amount. Since their diet of hay is unlimited give your bunny as much hay the want. I recommend you feed your bunny 2 handfuls of hay, twice a day. If your bunny happens to finish that hay give them more. This method will cut back on hay waste.
All bunnies should be fed Timothy hay. For bunnies under six months of age they can have both Timothy and Alfalfa hay as it has much more nutrition for them as they grow. Alfalfa hay in your bunnies diet is completely optional. But for bunnies over the age of six months should not be fed Alfalfa hay or should be in portion because it will result in kidney problems in you bunny and can lead to death.
Bunnies need hay in their diet for proper digestion and good gut health. Hay also helps wear down your bunnies teeth that are constantly growing and prevents boredom. Hay should be fed daily and they should have an unlimited amount. Since their diet of hay is unlimited give your bunny as much hay the want. I recommend you feed your bunny 2 handfuls of hay, twice a day. If your bunny happens to finish that hay give them more. This method will cut back on hay waste.
All bunnies should be fed Timothy hay. For bunnies under six months of age they can have both Timothy and Alfalfa hay as it has much more nutrition for them as they grow. Alfalfa hay in your bunnies diet is completely optional. But for bunnies over the age of six months should not be fed Alfalfa hay or should be in portion because it will result in kidney problems in you bunny and can lead to death.
Treats:
All treats given to your bunny needs to be in moderation. Store bought treats are completely fine for rabbits, Oxbow makes very good bunny treats. Fresh fruits and veggies are obviously better for your bunny and are much more healthy for them. Plain dry rolled oats are also very good treats for rabbits. DO NOT EVER feed any rabbit under six months old ANY fruits or veggies. The only thing babies under 6 months old can eat is hay, pellets, and oats (every so often as a treat).
All treats given to your bunny needs to be in moderation. Store bought treats are completely fine for rabbits, Oxbow makes very good bunny treats. Fresh fruits and veggies are obviously better for your bunny and are much more healthy for them. Plain dry rolled oats are also very good treats for rabbits. DO NOT EVER feed any rabbit under six months old ANY fruits or veggies. The only thing babies under 6 months old can eat is hay, pellets, and oats (every so often as a treat).
Toys & Enrichment
There are a lot of options of bunny toys. Most bunny toys are designed for them to chew and fully digest, witch is highly recommended. Bunnies are smart and curious animals by nature, so using toys that exercise their brains is also recommended.
There are a lot of options of bunny toys. Most bunny toys are designed for them to chew and fully digest, witch is highly recommended. Bunnies are smart and curious animals by nature, so using toys that exercise their brains is also recommended.
- Cardboard boxes
- Toilet paper/paper towel rolls
- Apple/bamboo stick
- Wooden/stick balls
Litter box training:
Another reason to fix your bunny is to make it easier to potty train your bunny. Spaying/Neutering your rabbit will make it stop marking its territory because they will not have their hormones to do so.
Bunnies typically go to the bathroom while they eat, so placing their food and hay above their litter box works tremendously. Start with a smaller living area with your bunny to focus them on using their litter box. If any accidents occur can wipe up any pee accidents with a paper towel and pick up any droppings, then put it into the litter box to show them where to go. Clean the litter about once or twice a week, change it more often if you have multiple bunnies, but not every time they use the litter box. Your bunny will remember where it used the bathroom from the scent. When you see your bunny master the litter box, you gradually expand their area, watch them to make sure they are still using their litter box. If not you can always go back smaller. When you expand your bunnies area or have multiple bunnies, you should increase the number of litter boxes.
Another reason to fix your bunny is to make it easier to potty train your bunny. Spaying/Neutering your rabbit will make it stop marking its territory because they will not have their hormones to do so.
Bunnies typically go to the bathroom while they eat, so placing their food and hay above their litter box works tremendously. Start with a smaller living area with your bunny to focus them on using their litter box. If any accidents occur can wipe up any pee accidents with a paper towel and pick up any droppings, then put it into the litter box to show them where to go. Clean the litter about once or twice a week, change it more often if you have multiple bunnies, but not every time they use the litter box. Your bunny will remember where it used the bathroom from the scent. When you see your bunny master the litter box, you gradually expand their area, watch them to make sure they are still using their litter box. If not you can always go back smaller. When you expand your bunnies area or have multiple bunnies, you should increase the number of litter boxes.
Nail Trimming:
Nail trims are important to do. Your bunnies nails will need to be clipped once a month or so when they become long. Long nails will cause your pain to your bunny. When they get very long they can easily snap off sometimes even breaking the bunnies toe. It also very hard to clip the nails when they start to curl. You should clip just a little bit at a time and stop when your close to their blood supply in the nail. If you clip to much and hit their blood supply it will hurt your rabbit and start to bleed. If you clip your bunnies nails more often you should head into any problems with your bunnies nails. If you’re uncomfortable trimming your bunnies nails, I suggest you watch some videos or ask your vet to trim them. I do also provide this service for $10 per bunny that are done at the rabbitry.
Nail trims are important to do. Your bunnies nails will need to be clipped once a month or so when they become long. Long nails will cause your pain to your bunny. When they get very long they can easily snap off sometimes even breaking the bunnies toe. It also very hard to clip the nails when they start to curl. You should clip just a little bit at a time and stop when your close to their blood supply in the nail. If you clip to much and hit their blood supply it will hurt your rabbit and start to bleed. If you clip your bunnies nails more often you should head into any problems with your bunnies nails. If you’re uncomfortable trimming your bunnies nails, I suggest you watch some videos or ask your vet to trim them. I do also provide this service for $10 per bunny that are done at the rabbitry.
Teeth:
Bunnies teeth grow constantly. They need hay and toys to wear their teeth down properly. Wooden bunny toys are one of the best for chewing on.
Bunnies teeth grow constantly. They need hay and toys to wear their teeth down properly. Wooden bunny toys are one of the best for chewing on.
Grooming:
Bunnies are very clean animals and are also self groomers. Do not bathe your bunny! In baby bunnies in particular, since they are very young and little it is harder for them to groom themselves and might need a little help. Bunnies typically like to sit/lay in their litter box, for bunnies especially with white paws might have stain on them. If you see a chunk or ball of poop on the bunny's butt; this is normal in babies and is outgrown as they mature. Use a damp, warm rag, washcloth, napkin or paper towel to wipe the area clean and their paws. You can also clip the poop off with scissors, but you have to be very careful. Bunnies in general can get easily stressed. If you bath your bunny it can cause them to go into shock and may result in death. If you think your bunny smells, it is probably coming from their living quarters and not from them.
Bunnies do also molt twice a year causing them to shed more than normal. When your rabbit is molting groom more often. Combing/Brushing them during that time is a must it help them molt out that extra fur. They can look “bald” in some areas when they molt but that is completely normal. Also different breeds of bunnies have different coats and length of hair that can require different and extra grooming regularly.
Bunnies are very clean animals and are also self groomers. Do not bathe your bunny! In baby bunnies in particular, since they are very young and little it is harder for them to groom themselves and might need a little help. Bunnies typically like to sit/lay in their litter box, for bunnies especially with white paws might have stain on them. If you see a chunk or ball of poop on the bunny's butt; this is normal in babies and is outgrown as they mature. Use a damp, warm rag, washcloth, napkin or paper towel to wipe the area clean and their paws. You can also clip the poop off with scissors, but you have to be very careful. Bunnies in general can get easily stressed. If you bath your bunny it can cause them to go into shock and may result in death. If you think your bunny smells, it is probably coming from their living quarters and not from them.
Bunnies do also molt twice a year causing them to shed more than normal. When your rabbit is molting groom more often. Combing/Brushing them during that time is a must it help them molt out that extra fur. They can look “bald” in some areas when they molt but that is completely normal. Also different breeds of bunnies have different coats and length of hair that can require different and extra grooming regularly.
Spaying/Neutering:
We breed for good temperment. All of our herd rabbits are calm and sweet. Though temperament is highly genetic, rabbits are living creatures and come with their own personalities. Therefore we cannot guarantee the personality or temperament of any rabbit. Things such as environment and age can affect their behaviors.
As we breed for pet homes we highly recommend you spay/neuter them!!! Spaying/Neutering your bunny has many many benefits, it can avoid unwanted litters, help them greatly with liter training, it can make them more friendly, cleaner, more cuddly etc. By fixing your bunny you are getting rid of their crazy hormones. When hormones come in, your bunny can get moody. Bunnies also like to leave their scent on things and can get territorial all from their hormones. All of this can be reduced or avoided by spaying/neutering your bunny. Another benefit to fixing your bunny is being able to have a better bond with your bunny yourself and or to another bunny.
Link to low cost spay/neuter:
www.njhrs.com/spayneuter.htm
We breed for good temperment. All of our herd rabbits are calm and sweet. Though temperament is highly genetic, rabbits are living creatures and come with their own personalities. Therefore we cannot guarantee the personality or temperament of any rabbit. Things such as environment and age can affect their behaviors.
As we breed for pet homes we highly recommend you spay/neuter them!!! Spaying/Neutering your bunny has many many benefits, it can avoid unwanted litters, help them greatly with liter training, it can make them more friendly, cleaner, more cuddly etc. By fixing your bunny you are getting rid of their crazy hormones. When hormones come in, your bunny can get moody. Bunnies also like to leave their scent on things and can get territorial all from their hormones. All of this can be reduced or avoided by spaying/neutering your bunny. Another benefit to fixing your bunny is being able to have a better bond with your bunny yourself and or to another bunny.
Link to low cost spay/neuter:
www.njhrs.com/spayneuter.htm