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About Adoption Hints and Care Reference Links Bunny Tales In Memoriam  The BunnyTrailz.org Hemet, CA 92543 |
Rabbit Health Care Tips and Hints For Our Special Little Ones Some Guidelines: What Your Rabbit Will Need:  Your rabbit will need cage large enough to stretch out and move around (minimum twice his body length), with a separate area for the bunn's food and water and a reserved potty area (or do a separate bunny-box outside of the cage as I do - open cage-door policy). The cage should be placed out of direct sunlight/heat. The bunny's cage should be cleaned a minimum of once a week, some breeds require a more frequent cleaning. If temperatures reach above 85° or 90° move your bunny into a cooler area. On cooler days make sure it isn't drafty and make sure the bunny is not left out in the rain. Always supply fresh pellets, clean Timothy hay (unlimited) and fresh water every day. The amount of pellets will vary with different breeds and size of rabbit. For young bunnies under three months, unlimited Alfalfa or Timothy hay, unlimited pellets. For bunnies over three months of age, gradually add in fresh vegetables. See vegetable table below. Again how much depends on the size of the bunn. Remember a three pound Mini-lop does not need as much as a 12 pound Flemish Giant. When your bunny matures and is over seven months, you will need to cut back on the amount of pellets given each day. Some manufacturers, like Purina Mills Rabbit Chow, list the daily feeding quantity. Remember when switching from one type of feed to another to do it gradually. You are correct, I previously did not mention fruits for a good reason. The are higher in sugar and are not readily available in the 'wild' to bunns. So fruits are given in very tiny proportions. As a training treat, I have some dried papaya, non-sweetened cut in very tiny, tiny pieces. Some of my bunns "train" better than others, some of the more popular commands are "Come", "Place", "Off", "Up" and "No". A natural treat that is lower in natural sugar that my bunns appreciate are rose petals (with no pestisides) or very small dehydrated papaya piece (all-natural) about half the size of raisin. Another treat in extreme moderation is about an inch slice of banana. Banana is helpful if you ever need to administer drugs to your bunny. Bunnies require mental stimulation. Most home improvement stores carry concrete tube forms which the bunnies love to play in. Phone books, shoe boxes and cardboard boxes make great inexpensive toys. Several web sites have stores which cater to bunny rabbits. Your bunn will need to get his Vitamin D, daily (sunshine), so an hour or more playing in a safe environment, away from predators. I spend a minimum 10 minutes each morning and evening with my bunn, petting him, talking with him and giving him a very thorough combing with a flea comb. Mind you, he resisted this at first, but this is a great step in eliminating fleas (myself - I am allergic to them). On Friday's we try to have 'Family" night and all watch TV together. Also take a few moments out during the day and evening to say "Hi". Some bunns enjoy being a lap bunny, others rather just lay in your general area. The more time you spend with your bunn, the more he will want to be with you. The bunns are very social creatures, they thrive on being in the groove and in the mitts of all that happens around your home, so be sure to include them. And always, supervise, if the bunn has free roam of the house and yard.
NEVER feed your bunn celery or head lettuce. Basically, the darker the green the vegtable is, the better. *Most of my rabbits have had no problems with cilantro, however my Flemish Giant had an allergic reaction to it. Some Chewables Are: Phone cords, computer and television cables, remote controls, table and chair legs, plants, books, magazines (anything semi-soft and chewable). Remember a bunn must keep chewing to keep his teeth 'filed'down. An old phone book makes an excellent toy, both for digging and gnawing on.
Already Have a Bunn and are Thinking of Adopting Another? Some Bunns will need special bonding time to get acquainted with each other. Same is true of other species - some critters will immediately bond with one another, others need more time AND SUPERVISION! Five minutes each morning and night in a NEUTRAL AREA, say a small bathroom, as long as it has never been visited by either pet, petting both critters, talking to them both, tell them both you love them. After 5-7 days, up it to 10 minutes, and when they can start socializing on their own, cleaning one another, sniffing each other and playing, then it's time they are ready to be on their own. Rabbit ownership in a home that has a dog. Some breeds of dogs are "hunters"... please be very cautious if you have a dog and read up on some of it's characteristic traits... would they harm your bunn?? If you want to introduce a dog to a rabbit, it is always best to do this with a professional dog trainer. We did this with our 8 month pit bull (who is now one year old). The puppy/dog is very curious about the bunny but allows the bunn to hop past him. When the bunn is in his outdoor play yard (complete chain link fenced top and sides (sides are buried 2 feet so as not to allow the bunns dig out) the dog runs over to visit and the bunn greats him and dances for the dog.
Litter Training With a little patience, rabbits can be litter trained much like a cat. The selection of the proper type of litter is important - clay, clumping or wood based litter boxes can be harmful (there are plenty of good, safe alternatives now available). The task will be easier in a spayed or neutered animal who isn't hormonally driven to mark territory. Rabbits are very territorial so may occasionally feel the need to mark the area around their cage, however. How About A Name?
I'd Like to Adopt, What Should I Do? **These are by no-means complete lists, just some beginning guidelines to help you get to know your bunn a little better. |
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