Caring for your new rabbit
If you're thinking of adopting a rabbit and you are prepared to put the time and effort in then i would fully encourage anyone to taking on these creatures of habit but please understand a few things first. rabbits are social creatures and need either plenty of attention from their owner and/or their own kind. not all rabbits get on well with other rabbits so for that reason alone we don't force them together. House rabbit's are the best if you want plenty of cuddles and enjoyment. house rabbit's are comical when they are fully settled in their new home, they will keep you entertained for hours with their antics but its hard work getting them to the point where they are well behaved. Litter training is best done from day one. when you bring your new rabbit home leave them to settle in for the first week only bringing them out for a few hours a day and always keep the litter tray close by. in the early days of litter training don't wash the tray with any disinfectants, just water. i suggest this because the smell of the urine will encourage the rabbit to use the litter tray. after a while and your confident the rabbit knows where its toilet is you can fully disinfect the tray. do not use any strong smelling disinfectants because these can affect the nose and cause the rabbit to develop a respiratory infection. do not use any aerosols around the rabbit at all. rabbit's can live well with other animals in the house but it is advised to get them neutered if you have cats because they can some times hump them. Whether your rabbit is a house rabbit or garden rabbit they still need hay and plenty of it.
If your rabbit is a bit nervous then give them a day or so to settle in before picking them up, you can stroke them whilst in the hutch and give them little treats to encourage them to trust you. Be confident with your new rabbit, if you are nervous they will be nervous too.
If you plan on keeping them as house rabbits you will soon find that the become confident and much like a dog but they are far worse for begging lol
If you’re planning to keep your rabbits outdoors, make sure the hutch is drought-free and fully
weatherproof. In winter we cover the backs of hutch's with emergency thermal blankets and tarpaulin then over the front we use either a curtain, a fleece blanket or old duvet cover which is then covered by a large sheet of plastic and held down with elastic that is nailed at either side of the hutch stretching across the middle and bottom. always cut the blankets to size so that no rain can touch it, especially at the bottom. the elastic helps to keep the wind from blowing up the blanket. The hutch must be raised off the ground to keep the floor dry and to protect your pets from predators such as cats and foxes. Cover the base of the hutch with wood shavings ( never use sawdust) to form an absorbent layer. during winter fill your hutch with as much hay as possible. Rabbits can be litter trained and using a litter tray is a hygienic option. Rabbit accessories such as rabbit igloos, large cardboard tubes and rabbit toys will allow your pets to explore and play. Use a run that is a minimum of 7 ft x 5 ft or equivalent, with rocks, large terracotta plant pots, logs and toys for them to play amongst.rabbits need a minimum of 4 hours exercise a day, exercise is vital to their well being but do not allow them to get wet. you may wish to put a wire base below ground level if the run is to cover soft ground...this will prevent inquisitive pets from digging their way out. House rabbits can live quite happily indoors and there are cages designed especially for indoor rabbits. Rabbits usually use a particular area of their cage as a toilet so a corner litter tray is a great idea.To train your rabbit, simply place some soiled shavings in a litter tray. Wood litter pellets are ideal as they help to reduce odors and are highly absorbent.
Neutering your pets will help to curb their natural tendencies to mark their territory and so may aid litter training.
Rabbit-proofing your home is essential and a small pet playpen may be useful for playtime indoors.
Rabbits can get very bored if they’re left alone in their cage or hutch when you’re not around.
Stimulating natural behavior by hiding treats around their cage and providing lots of gnawing toys
can enhance their quality of life. Houses and hideaway holes allow them to snuggle up just as they
would in the wild and wooden or willow toys are not only fun to play with, they help to grind their teeth
down too.
there are many types of rabbit feed, we prefer pellets because then they don't miss any vital nutrients
Muesli is very nutritional, but if your rabbits pick out the bits of muesli they prefer, they’ll miss out on
essential nutrients. We call this ‘selective feeding’. In contrast, nuggets are extruded - all of the
ingredients found in muesli are crushed and shaped into nuggets so your rabbits gain essential
nutrients in every mouthful. Only a small amount of store bought food should be provided each day
with the bulk of nutrition coming via hay. Rabbits need extra fiber in their diet to aid digestion. Hay is a
natural long fiber and should always be available in your pet's home. It also helps to grind rabbit's
teeth down, preventing them from growing too long and becoming painful. Small quantities of washed
fresh fruit and vegetables such as apples, broccoli, kale or freshly picked dandelions can be given to
rabbits over 16 weeks old but remember to introduce new food gradually to avoid stomach upsets.
Too much green food can upset a young rabbit’s stomach. Never give your pets any food which has
been frozen. Heavy ceramic feeding bowls are great for rabbits as they’re difficult to knock over and
easy to clean. Give your pets fresh water daily.
Handling
as your rabbits are likely to be nervous when you first take them home we recommend that you leave them alone to settle in for the first day or two. You should talk to them and after a few days gently stroke them. When your rabbits are used to this and are more comfortable and confident, you can pick them up. Use both hands, placing one hand under your rabbit’s chest and the other hand under its bottom. Hold your pet close to you so that it feels secure and to prevent it from falling. Children should be encouraged not to pick rabbits up too often and should only ever do this under supervision. Never pick a rabbit up by its ears.
cleaning
All pet owners have a responsibility to look after and care for their pets.
Hygienic conditions and a healthy diet will help to keep your rabbits in good health but there are a
number of potential problems that you should be aware of.
Rabbits’ are rodents and their front teeth grow constantly throughout their lives. If they grow too long
they can be very painful and feeding can become difficult. Mineral stones, hay and chew toys help to
keep their teeth worn down naturally and should always be available in your pets’ home. If your
rabbits’ teeth appear to be overgrown take them to a vet to have them trimmed. Rabbits are very clean
animals and wash themselves like cats.A daily grooming session from you can help you to bond with
your pets. If your rabbits have long hair, it’s vital that you brush them every day to prevent hairballs
and keep their coats shiny and clean. Healthy rabbits are alert with bright eyes, dry nostrils and clean,
shiny coats. Droppings in their hutch should be small, firm pellets. Rabbits are susceptible to fly strike,
in warm weather flies lay their eggs in the folds of skin around a rabbits neck or their anal area. Dirty
bottoms are a magnet to flies with the resulting maggots burrowing into the rabbits skin and releasing
toxins. Fly strike can kill a rabbit in just six hours. If your rabbit ever loses its appetite, appears listless,
develops a cough, runny eyes or diarrhea you should contact your vet immediately.
Hay and gnawing toys are an essential part of your pets’ dental routine and should always be
available as they help to prevent overgrown teeth.
Vitamins can be added to your pets’ food or water. Pro-biotic supplements can help to maintain healthy
digestion and relieve stress. Getting used to their new surroundings can be stressful for your rabbits
so consider buying pro-biotic supplements before you take them home.As well as being good for your
rabbits’ teeth, hay is an essential
part of the digestive process.
Regular grooming will strengthen the relationship between you and your pets and it can also help to
highlight health problems. Groom your rabbits once a week or daily if they have long hair to keep their
skin and coats healthy.
Keep an eye on your pets’ skin and coat for signs of fleas and mites such as bald patches or irritation.
Outdoor pets are vulnerable to fly strike during the summer months so make sure you keep your pets
and their environment clean and dry. Clean out your pets home at least once a week using a pet-safe disinfectant
Children and rabbits
Babies and Rabbits: never let babies under 6 months on the floor with loose rabbits. Older babies also have to be watched: once, they're old enough to grasp objects, they may try to grab a rabbit's tantalizing ear or fluffy tail. And once that happens, there's a good chance a self-respecting rabbit will scratch or bite the baby. Babies may also try to eat rabbit poop; the danger here isn't toxicity, but choking. Bottom line: supervise babies and bunnies closely.
always enforce boundaries where children and animals are concerned, not just for the animals safety but the child's too
.
treats- the healthy option ( don't forget these are treats and should only be given every so often)
Remember, these are treats, so give them sparingly.
1 small carrot, pureed
1/2 banana, mashed until really creamy
1 tbsp honey
1/4 cup rabbit pellets, ground finely in a coffee grinder
1/4 cup ground oats, ground finely in a coffee grinder
Mix pureed carrot, banana and honey in a medium bowl. Add pellet powder and ground oats. Mix until blended. Knead in your hands for 1-2 minutes. Roll out the "dough" in 1/8- to 1/4-inch thick layers between sheets of plastic wrap. Cut into small cookies (about 3/4 inch across). Place cut shapes onto a parchment paper covered cookie sheet. Bake at 325 degrees for about 30 minutes (check to make sure they are not browning too much). Turn off the heat and let the cookies sit in the warm oven for an hour or so.
Plenty of fresh hay should be available at all times
If your rabbit is a bit nervous then give them a day or so to settle in before picking them up, you can stroke them whilst in the hutch and give them little treats to encourage them to trust you. Be confident with your new rabbit, if you are nervous they will be nervous too.
If you plan on keeping them as house rabbits you will soon find that the become confident and much like a dog but they are far worse for begging lol
If you’re planning to keep your rabbits outdoors, make sure the hutch is drought-free and fully
weatherproof. In winter we cover the backs of hutch's with emergency thermal blankets and tarpaulin then over the front we use either a curtain, a fleece blanket or old duvet cover which is then covered by a large sheet of plastic and held down with elastic that is nailed at either side of the hutch stretching across the middle and bottom. always cut the blankets to size so that no rain can touch it, especially at the bottom. the elastic helps to keep the wind from blowing up the blanket. The hutch must be raised off the ground to keep the floor dry and to protect your pets from predators such as cats and foxes. Cover the base of the hutch with wood shavings ( never use sawdust) to form an absorbent layer. during winter fill your hutch with as much hay as possible. Rabbits can be litter trained and using a litter tray is a hygienic option. Rabbit accessories such as rabbit igloos, large cardboard tubes and rabbit toys will allow your pets to explore and play. Use a run that is a minimum of 7 ft x 5 ft or equivalent, with rocks, large terracotta plant pots, logs and toys for them to play amongst.rabbits need a minimum of 4 hours exercise a day, exercise is vital to their well being but do not allow them to get wet. you may wish to put a wire base below ground level if the run is to cover soft ground...this will prevent inquisitive pets from digging their way out. House rabbits can live quite happily indoors and there are cages designed especially for indoor rabbits. Rabbits usually use a particular area of their cage as a toilet so a corner litter tray is a great idea.To train your rabbit, simply place some soiled shavings in a litter tray. Wood litter pellets are ideal as they help to reduce odors and are highly absorbent.
Neutering your pets will help to curb their natural tendencies to mark their territory and so may aid litter training.
Rabbit-proofing your home is essential and a small pet playpen may be useful for playtime indoors.
Rabbits can get very bored if they’re left alone in their cage or hutch when you’re not around.
Stimulating natural behavior by hiding treats around their cage and providing lots of gnawing toys
can enhance their quality of life. Houses and hideaway holes allow them to snuggle up just as they
would in the wild and wooden or willow toys are not only fun to play with, they help to grind their teeth
down too.
there are many types of rabbit feed, we prefer pellets because then they don't miss any vital nutrients
Muesli is very nutritional, but if your rabbits pick out the bits of muesli they prefer, they’ll miss out on
essential nutrients. We call this ‘selective feeding’. In contrast, nuggets are extruded - all of the
ingredients found in muesli are crushed and shaped into nuggets so your rabbits gain essential
nutrients in every mouthful. Only a small amount of store bought food should be provided each day
with the bulk of nutrition coming via hay. Rabbits need extra fiber in their diet to aid digestion. Hay is a
natural long fiber and should always be available in your pet's home. It also helps to grind rabbit's
teeth down, preventing them from growing too long and becoming painful. Small quantities of washed
fresh fruit and vegetables such as apples, broccoli, kale or freshly picked dandelions can be given to
rabbits over 16 weeks old but remember to introduce new food gradually to avoid stomach upsets.
Too much green food can upset a young rabbit’s stomach. Never give your pets any food which has
been frozen. Heavy ceramic feeding bowls are great for rabbits as they’re difficult to knock over and
easy to clean. Give your pets fresh water daily.
Handling
as your rabbits are likely to be nervous when you first take them home we recommend that you leave them alone to settle in for the first day or two. You should talk to them and after a few days gently stroke them. When your rabbits are used to this and are more comfortable and confident, you can pick them up. Use both hands, placing one hand under your rabbit’s chest and the other hand under its bottom. Hold your pet close to you so that it feels secure and to prevent it from falling. Children should be encouraged not to pick rabbits up too often and should only ever do this under supervision. Never pick a rabbit up by its ears.
cleaning
All pet owners have a responsibility to look after and care for their pets.
Hygienic conditions and a healthy diet will help to keep your rabbits in good health but there are a
number of potential problems that you should be aware of.
Rabbits’ are rodents and their front teeth grow constantly throughout their lives. If they grow too long
they can be very painful and feeding can become difficult. Mineral stones, hay and chew toys help to
keep their teeth worn down naturally and should always be available in your pets’ home. If your
rabbits’ teeth appear to be overgrown take them to a vet to have them trimmed. Rabbits are very clean
animals and wash themselves like cats.A daily grooming session from you can help you to bond with
your pets. If your rabbits have long hair, it’s vital that you brush them every day to prevent hairballs
and keep their coats shiny and clean. Healthy rabbits are alert with bright eyes, dry nostrils and clean,
shiny coats. Droppings in their hutch should be small, firm pellets. Rabbits are susceptible to fly strike,
in warm weather flies lay their eggs in the folds of skin around a rabbits neck or their anal area. Dirty
bottoms are a magnet to flies with the resulting maggots burrowing into the rabbits skin and releasing
toxins. Fly strike can kill a rabbit in just six hours. If your rabbit ever loses its appetite, appears listless,
develops a cough, runny eyes or diarrhea you should contact your vet immediately.
Hay and gnawing toys are an essential part of your pets’ dental routine and should always be
available as they help to prevent overgrown teeth.
Vitamins can be added to your pets’ food or water. Pro-biotic supplements can help to maintain healthy
digestion and relieve stress. Getting used to their new surroundings can be stressful for your rabbits
so consider buying pro-biotic supplements before you take them home.As well as being good for your
rabbits’ teeth, hay is an essential
part of the digestive process.
Regular grooming will strengthen the relationship between you and your pets and it can also help to
highlight health problems. Groom your rabbits once a week or daily if they have long hair to keep their
skin and coats healthy.
Keep an eye on your pets’ skin and coat for signs of fleas and mites such as bald patches or irritation.
Outdoor pets are vulnerable to fly strike during the summer months so make sure you keep your pets
and their environment clean and dry. Clean out your pets home at least once a week using a pet-safe disinfectant
Children and rabbits
Babies and Rabbits: never let babies under 6 months on the floor with loose rabbits. Older babies also have to be watched: once, they're old enough to grasp objects, they may try to grab a rabbit's tantalizing ear or fluffy tail. And once that happens, there's a good chance a self-respecting rabbit will scratch or bite the baby. Babies may also try to eat rabbit poop; the danger here isn't toxicity, but choking. Bottom line: supervise babies and bunnies closely.
always enforce boundaries where children and animals are concerned, not just for the animals safety but the child's too
.
treats- the healthy option ( don't forget these are treats and should only be given every so often)
Remember, these are treats, so give them sparingly.
1 small carrot, pureed
1/2 banana, mashed until really creamy
1 tbsp honey
1/4 cup rabbit pellets, ground finely in a coffee grinder
1/4 cup ground oats, ground finely in a coffee grinder
Mix pureed carrot, banana and honey in a medium bowl. Add pellet powder and ground oats. Mix until blended. Knead in your hands for 1-2 minutes. Roll out the "dough" in 1/8- to 1/4-inch thick layers between sheets of plastic wrap. Cut into small cookies (about 3/4 inch across). Place cut shapes onto a parchment paper covered cookie sheet. Bake at 325 degrees for about 30 minutes (check to make sure they are not browning too much). Turn off the heat and let the cookies sit in the warm oven for an hour or so.
Plenty of fresh hay should be available at all times