G.T.R
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.
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 its fit throwing 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.
DIET:
Please do not feed your rabbit strictly pellets! Pellets should
be measured 1/4 a cup for 5-7lbs, 1/2 a cup for 8-10lbs, and 3/4 a cup for
11-15lbs. 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!
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. Make your
rabbits hay available at all times. This is vital to their digestion. Veggies
are wonderful sources of nutrition for your bunny. Avoid cabbage, lettuce and
avocado. Carrots, broccoli, mustard greens etc. are great ones to introduce. Do
not give any veggies to bunnies less than 3 months old. 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,
cabbage, lettuce
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 or pine shavings for bedding. Aspen,
straw, towels, blankets, or newspaper is great. 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.
EMERGENCIES:
RUSH YOUR RABBIT TO YOUR VET IF YOU NOTICE ANY OF THE FOLLOWING
SYPMTOMS!!!
-lack of appetite, 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.
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!
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. I will
help any way I can if you should have any questions regarding your bunny. Enjoy
your new pet! Thanks for choosing Granny T’s Rabbitry!
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.
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 its fit throwing 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.
DIET:
Please do not feed your rabbit strictly pellets! Pellets should
be measured 1/4 a cup for 5-7lbs, 1/2 a cup for 8-10lbs, and 3/4 a cup for
11-15lbs. 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!
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. Make your
rabbits hay available at all times. This is vital to their digestion. Veggies
are wonderful sources of nutrition for your bunny. Avoid cabbage, lettuce and
avocado. Carrots, broccoli, mustard greens etc. are great ones to introduce. Do
not give any veggies to bunnies less than 3 months old. 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,
cabbage, lettuce
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 or pine shavings for bedding. Aspen,
straw, towels, blankets, or newspaper is great. 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.
EMERGENCIES:
RUSH YOUR RABBIT TO YOUR VET IF YOU NOTICE ANY OF THE FOLLOWING
SYPMTOMS!!!
-lack of appetite, 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.
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!
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. I will
help any way I can if you should have any questions regarding your bunny. Enjoy
your new pet! Thanks for choosing Granny T’s Rabbitry!
