Our Bunny Care Sheet



Rabbits can be finnicky creatures. It is very important any changes to their diet and even environment is done slowly. Stress can wreak havoc on their little bodies. Please take time to review this information carefully & feel free to contact me with any additional questions.

Food & Water


  • We use manna pro 16%. It is easily found in most pet and feed stores. If you decide to switch, it needs to be done over a week period, MINIMUM. Some alternative feeds are Oxbow, Blue Seal, Blue Bonnet, Tucker Milling, Kalmbach, & Purina. Steer clear of any feed with seeds, pieces of colored food, or fruit.
  • Your bunny should have access to timothy hay at all times. Alfalfa hay may be given up to 6 months of age but may cause urinary issues after that. Oxbow has the best quality hay.
  • Our babies learn to drink water out of a bowl. It is more natural for a bunny to drink this way and easier to clean.
  • No fruits, veggies, or treats other than herbs until after 4 months of age when their digestive system is more mature. Then, slowly introduce them in moderation. Natural, one ingredient treats are best. Avoid pet store treats with corn, rice, & seeds.

Housing


  • We suggest getting the largest enclosure your space & budget allow.
  • Our favorite enclosure is the oxbow x-large habitat with playpen. It has a good amount of space and also allows for easy cleaning.
  • It is best to let your bunny free roam as much as possible, only putting them in their enclosure to sleep. You will have a better bond with your bunny & they will be so happy.
  • You do not need any bedding or "fluff" for the bottom of the enclosure. You can add bedding once your bunny is better potty trained. Otherwise, they get comfy and will not move to go potty in the litter box.
  • Remnant vinyl flooring is a great option for a bunny playpen! It is affordable, easy to clean, and not easily destroyed.

Litter Box Training

  • Start by selecting a suitable tray. We prefer to use cat litter boxes. Corner litter trays are fine for babies but are quickly outgrown.
  • For litter, equine pine pellets are the best option. They do not make a mess, neutralize odors, & are very absorbent. Do NOT use shavings or clay -based cat litters. These can be harmful to your bunny's health.
  • Rabbits love to eat hay & poop at the same time. We litter train them by taking advantage of that. Put the hay rack above the litter box or place hay in the corner of the litter box to encourage your bunny to use the litter box.
  • It is a good idea to daily sweep up any poops not in the litter box with a hand broom. Vinegar works well to clean up any urine or other messes on the floor.

Spay & Neuter


  • We recommend getting your bunny altered at 4-6 months of age.
  • Male & female bunnies will spray & leave territorial poops if not altered making potty training more challenging.
  • Both genders can become aggressive if not altered and will fight to the death if you have two of the same gender.
  • Your bunny's chance of getting cancer and other health issues is greatly reduced, lengthening life span, when you alter your bunny.
  • Do NOT fast your bunny before surgery. Bunnies cannot vomit so there is no need to remove food & water, doing so would actually put your bunny at risk of GI stasis.
  • Feel free to ask me about local vets that will care for your bunny!



Fast Facts about Bunnies

  • Do not bathe your bunny. The only exception is if your bunny is ill, and a butt bath is absolutely necessary. You give a butt bath with shallow warm water and gentle soap. Get as little of the bunny wet as possible & rinse thoroughly.
  • Always support your bunny's butt when holding. As prey animals, they prefer to be on the ground & prefer head scratches.
  • Your bunny licking you is a sign of love. Zoomies are when they run very fast. Binkies are when they jump & kick out. These mean your bunny is very excited & happy. A bunny flops onto its side when content & relaxed.
  • Diarrhea, not eating, or lethargy is not normal & indicative of an emergency. Do not do the "wait & see" approach with your bunny. Their health can decline very rapidly. I am happy to help with concerns anytime, but it is important to have an emergency vet in your area that you can contact.
  • Bunnies handle the cold well as long as they can protection from the wind. The summer heat is hard on them.
  • Bunnies love toys! They enjoy finding treats in stacking cups, zooming through tunnels, throwing balls, & so much more! Find safe toy suggestions on our Amazon shopping list!


FAQ

This is my first bunny, how do we bond?

Get down on the bunny's level & don't try to pick him up. Offer treats or hand feed pellets while bunny sniffs and crawls on you.

Does my bunny need a friend?

Bunnies can be fine living alone. It depends how much time you have to spend with them. If you are gone often, opposite sex pairs bond best!

Help! My bunny has red pee!

It's not uncommon for bunnies to pee rainbows! It is usually due to something in their diet (like carrots). If your fur baby acts fine otherwise, just make sure it does not continue.

Should I let my bunny have just one litter?

If your bunny is a pet, I highly recommend altering them as soon as they reach maturity. Breeding comes with a ton of possible behavior issues, territorial marking, and health risks.

Why does my bunny have soft, stinky poop that looks like grape clusters?

These are called cecotropes. Bunnies usually eat these and digest them again. If you see a bunch of these then you are probably feeding too many pellets.

Do you have a question?

Feel free to message our Facebook page or text me for the quickest response!