Remember, bunnies are social animals, so provide plenty of interaction, playtime, and mental stimulation. Always supervise your bunny when they're out of their enclosure to ensure their safety and protect your belongings from chewing.
At Sweet Rose Rabbitry, we nurture our baby bunnies with the utmost care and affection, ensuring they grow into well-rounded and social bunnies. This personalized approach results in a smooth transition to their forever homes, where many of our customers have reported seeing playful binkies and flops on their first day. However, as with any new experience, it's normal for bunnies to feel very scared at first in their new surroundings. To help your furry friend feel comfortable and confident, we've put together some tips for you to bond and socialize with them during these first few precious days together.
Remember, every bunny is unique, and the bonding process may vary. With love, patience, and gentle handling, you can develop a trusting and affectionate bond with your new bunny.
To establish a consistent routine, it is advisable to adhere to a regular feeding time each day for your bunny. It is crucial to select rabbit feed that excludes corn, seeds, dried fruits, wheat, or soy. Unfortunately, around 99% of rabbit pellets found in pet stores contain at least one of these ingredients, which can be detrimental to your bunny's health. I recommend Oxbow Garden Select Young Rabbit Food as the top-notch brand currently available, ensuring your bunny's well-being and happiness. Since your bunny is accustomed to consuming this food, I highly suggest maintaining this diet. Bunnies possess highly sensitive digestive systems, and altering their diet could potentially lead to severe health issues such as GI Stasis. Oxbow Garden Select Young Rabbit Food can be conveniently bought in major pet stores, ordered online, and the recommended feeding amount is specified on the package. If your bunny's droppings are excessively soft, it is advisable to reduce the pellet quantity and provide more hay instead.
In terms of water supply, my bunnies are accustomed to using water bowls. If you decide to switch to a water bottle, please ensure that your bunny is successfully drinking from it. Initially, you may consider providing both options until the bunny transitions comfortably.
It is essential to prioritize a consistent and ample supply of high-quality 2nd cut timothy hay for your bunny's overall well-being. Hay serves as a vital source of fiber for maintaining a healthy digestive system, while also promoting dental health by naturally wearing down your bunny's teeth through constant chewing. Therefore, it is crucial to ensure that your furry companion always has access to an abundant and steady amount of this fundamental component of their diet.
When it comes to treats, I recommend offering a small amount of raw organic old-fashioned rolled oats. However, it is important to exercise moderation, limiting the intake to no more than a teaspoon or two per day, as oats are relatively high in calories and can lead to unnecessary weight gain. Ensure that the oats provided are not of the instant or flavored variety. Feeding oats by hand can also serve as an excellent bonding opportunity with your bunny.
For bunnies under six months old, I like to provide a handful of Alfalfa Hay per day. Offering more than that may discourage them from consuming their timothy hay.
Fruits and Veggies: It’s recommended to start at 6 months.
Introducing vegetables to rabbits should be done gradually and at the appropriate age. Generally, it is recommended to start introducing vegetables to rabbits when they are around 6 months. This is when their digestive systems are more developed and better able to handle a variety of foods.
To introduce vegetables to your rabbit, follow these steps:
Remember that every rabbit is different, and some may have specific dietary needs or sensitivities. It's always a good idea to consult with a veterinarian who specializes in rabbit care for personalized advice based on your rabbit's age, health, and individual needs.
Maintaining healthy rabbit stool is crucial for monitoring your rabbit's digestive health. Here are some tips to help promote and maintain healthy rabbit stool:
If you notice any changes in your rabbit's stool, such as persistent soft or watery stool, reduced or absent stool, or signs of discomfort, it's important to consult a veterinarian. These can be signs of an underlying health issue that needs to be addressed.
Grooming and molting are important aspects of rabbit care. Here's some information on grooming and molting in rabbits:
Grooming:
Molting: Rabbits typically undergo shedding or molting seasons during which they shed their old fur and grow new fur. Here are some tips for managing molting:
Remember, every rabbit is unique, and grooming needs may vary depending on their breed, coat type, and individual characteristics. Regular grooming and monitoring of your rabbit's fur and overall health are essential for their well-being.
Exercise is crucial for rabbits due to several important reasons:
When providing exercise for rabbits, it's important to ensure a safe environment, free from hazards, and provide opportunities for both indoor and supervised outdoor exercise. Enclosures should be appropriately sized to allow for hopping, running, and exploration. Always supervise rabbits during exercise to ensure their safety and prevent accidental escapes or injury.
There are several types of toys that can provide mental stimulation and physical exercise for rabbits. Here are some examples:
Remember to supervise your rabbit while they are playing with toys and regularly inspect them for any signs of damage or wear. Rotating and introducing new toys can help keep your rabbit engaged and prevent boredom.
Litter training a rabbit involves a few key steps to encourage them to use a specific area for their bathroom needs. Here's a guide on how to litter train a rabbit:
Remember, each rabbit is unique, and their progress with litter training may vary. Be patient, offer positive reinforcement, and make adjustments based on your rabbit's preferences. With time and consistency, most rabbits can be successfully litter trained.