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FAQ- Everything you need to know about caring for your new bunny.
New to bunny ownership? heres everything you need to know about what your new bundle of fluff will need.
Housing for your rabbit. What kind of hutch/cage do they need?
Bunnies are very active animals and need a lot of space to be able to run round and binky. Hutches should be at least 4ft long and 2ft deep and high this means your bunny can stand on its hind legs and stretch, however the bigger the better! if you have space available then going up to a bigger size is a lot more convenient for your bunny. If you are planning on keeping your bunny outside then he/she will need to be covered over away from the wind and rain (cold and wet drafts can be fatal to bunnies!) a good idea would be to get a waterproof cover for your hutch so you know your bunny will stay absolutely dry. Even better options are to house your bunnies in a garage, shed or even a wendy house would be a great idea. If you plan on housing your bunny indoors you can buy plastic indoor rabbit cage, these however are not suitable for outdoor use so would either need to be indoors or inside a shed only. If buying an indoor cage I would make sure it isn't less than 120cm long as this is an average size that your bunny will need. A run is also recommended so your bunny can have even more space to run around, if you let your bunny have free roam of your house then please make sure all wires/cables are covered so they will not end up chewed! You can get nylon runs suitable for indoors and outdoors to as well as metal ones.
Housing for your rabbit. What kind of hutch/cage do they need?
Bunnies are very active animals and need a lot of space to be able to run round and binky. Hutches should be at least 4ft long and 2ft deep and high this means your bunny can stand on its hind legs and stretch, however the bigger the better! if you have space available then going up to a bigger size is a lot more convenient for your bunny. If you are planning on keeping your bunny outside then he/she will need to be covered over away from the wind and rain (cold and wet drafts can be fatal to bunnies!) a good idea would be to get a waterproof cover for your hutch so you know your bunny will stay absolutely dry. Even better options are to house your bunnies in a garage, shed or even a wendy house would be a great idea. If you plan on housing your bunny indoors you can buy plastic indoor rabbit cage, these however are not suitable for outdoor use so would either need to be indoors or inside a shed only. If buying an indoor cage I would make sure it isn't less than 120cm long as this is an average size that your bunny will need. A run is also recommended so your bunny can have even more space to run around, if you let your bunny have free roam of your house then please make sure all wires/cables are covered so they will not end up chewed! You can get nylon runs suitable for indoors and outdoors to as well as metal ones.
Bedding. What type of bedding should I use?
Hutches and indoor cages will need a layer of sawdust and straw. Megazorb is also a good idea just to go underneath the layer of sawdust especially in hutch bottoms as its absorbent and keeps the bottom of the hutch completely dry. Litter trays can also be used so that your bunny does its business in that which can then just be emptied each day. Bunnies need to be cleaned out regularly to prevent things such as fly strike and its even more of a concern in summer that you make sure to keep your bunnies clean to stop flys and other insects that could harm your bunny. Plenty of straw should be given in colder weather as it helps keep your bunny warm.
Food. What should I feed my rabbit and what is bad/good for them?
Bunnies diets are made up of mainly hay. You need to make sure you feed the following in the right amounts to make sure your bunny has a balanced diet. 80% hay, 10% greens and herbs (parsley, curly kale etc) 5% healthy pellets, an 5% healthy treats (banana, carrots etc). I highly recommend allen and page natural pellets I feed all my bunnies on this and have never had a problem, they have this daily with a load of hay to. You can buy allen and page in massive bags full which would last forever if you just had one or two bunnies. Please DO NOT buy muesli food as this is very bad for your rabbit it can lead to lots of problems as it promotes selective feeding which means your bunny will just pick out the good bits, it can lead to teeth and problems also causing your bunny to become very overweight. Bunnies also need access to water at all times. I recommend not feeding rabbits fruit and veg until they are 6 months+ and introduce it to them gradually as it can cause stomach upset.
Whats safe for my bunny to eat?
Vegetables:
- Broccoli (and its leaves, including purple sprouting varieties)
- Brussel Sprouts (leaves and sprouts)
- Cabbage (can sometimes cause digestive upsets)
- Carrots (and carrot tops) – the roots should be limited as they are high in sugars
- Cauliflower (and the leaves)
- Celery (and its leaves)
- Curly Kale
- Fennel
- Parsnip
- Radish Tops
- Spinach (only occasional)
- Spring Greens
Herbs:
- Basil
- Coriander
- Dill
- Mint (peppermint)
- Parsley
- Oregano
- Rosemary
- Sage
- Thyme
Fruits (should be fed in moderation, due to sugar content – up to 2 tablespoons worth per day):
- Apple
- Banana (high in potassium)
- Blackberries (and leaves – excellent astringent properties)
- Blueberries
- Cherries (no stone)
- Grapes
- Raspberries (and leaves – excellent astringent properties)
- Strawberries (and leaves)
Company. Do bunnies need another bunny to keep them happy?
Bunnies ideally do like to live in pairs and sometimes can live in bigger bonded groups if you have the room and space to be able to do this, rabbits are very sociable animals. They however don't always have to be in pairs or groups to be happy as long as you give them plenty of love and attention they can sometimes be absolutely fine on their own. One of the best pairings are a neutered buck and doe put together as they will get along, if you have lots of room for them I do recommend this.
Bunnies ideally do like to live in pairs and sometimes can live in bigger bonded groups if you have the room and space to be able to do this, rabbits are very sociable animals. They however don't always have to be in pairs or groups to be happy as long as you give them plenty of love and attention they can sometimes be absolutely fine on their own. One of the best pairings are a neutered buck and doe put together as they will get along, if you have lots of room for them I do recommend this.