Rabbit Care
Diet
Hay: Hay is the MOST important part of a house rabbit's diet. It should be provided at all times. Hay provides healthy indigestible fiber and keeps the digestive tract working normally. Furthermore, it contains a variety of nutrients that are essential for good health. Grass hay is preferred and includes timothy, prairie, meadow, brome, Bermuda, and oat hay.
Vegetables: Vegetables and greens are the second most important thing to give your rabbit. They contain a lot of fiber that keeps the digestive tract functioning properly. One cup of greens and vegetables should be given daily. There should be a minimum of 3 different kinds given each day. Eight or more kinds should be introduced over time.
Pellets: Pellets should be fed once daily, using an eggcup for each bun as a guide. So one bunny gets one eggcup full, two bunnies get 2 eggcups full etc. My bunnies eat Excel pellets.
Water: Fresh, cool water should be provided every day in a heavy bowl or hanging water bottle. Water should be changed daily and bowls/bottles should be thoroughly cleaned weekly.
Treats: Treats should only be used occasionally, for good behavior or just to be nice. They are not an important part of the diet of a rabbit. My rabbits like to eat Stick Treats, Choc Drops and much, much more.
Grooming
Brushing: Rabbits groom themselves all of the time and in the process swallow large quantities of hair. This isn't a problem, except when it is coupled with a poor diet. A low-fiber, low-moisture diet can end up causing a lot undigested food in the rabbit's stomach, which can then mix around with the hair and create a compacted blob. A rabbit cannot vomit and thus the blob is stuck. Eventually, this can end up killing your rabbit. Rabbits who have long hair, such as angoras or fuzzy lops, need to be brushed daily. A good brushing with a wire slicker brush prevents mats and tangles in the rabbit's coat. If mats and tangles do form, gently cut them out. Shorthaired rabbits do not have to be brushed as often. Twice a week is fine unless the rabbit is molting. In this case, they should be brushed daily.
Clipping Nails: It is important to clip your rabbit's nails about every three weeks. This will protect you from being scratched badly and protect the rabbit from getting it's nails stuck and pulled out completely. Clipping nails can be very tricky buisness but once you get the hang of it, it's quite simple. Just follow these easy steps and clipping nails will soon be a piece of cake!:
1. Sit down on a chair or bed with your rabbit and find a "people" nail clipper or cat nail clipper.
2. Turn your bunny over on your lap so that it's head is hanging down over your knees.
3. Pet it's head until it is fully relaxed and in the "Bunny Trance" (be careful, they can pop out of the trance at any time!)
4. Examine a nail and find the red vein. This vein is called the quick. (if the nail is dark, use a flashlight)
5. Cut a little after the quick. Be carefull not to cut the vein.
6. When you are done with all of the nails, turn the bunny back over and let it know that it has done a good job.
Cleaning ears
You should regularly check inside your rabbit's ears to make sure there isn't any build up of wax or other gunk. If there is, take your rabbit to the vet. Rabbits can get ear mites, which cause itching and a build up of yucky stuff. Never poke anything into your rabbit's ears as you can damage the inner ear.
Eyes
Sometimes rabbits get sleep in their eyes. Just wipe this away for them. If there is excess gunk or a lot of tears, your bunny may have a problem. Take your rabbit to the vet. Interesting facts - rabbits have a third eyelid, and don't need to blink very often. This is how they can sleep with their eyes open.
What a Rabbit Needs
Companionship - to be with other rabbits or humans. The widespread practice of keeping rabbits and guinea pigs together is not recommended.
A mixed diet of grass, rabbit pellets, apples, carrots, dandelions and a good quantity of hay.
A constant supply of fresh, clean drinking water in a drip feed bottle with metal spout.
A large weatherproof home off the ground, out of direct sunlight and strong winds. Move to an indoor area or porch in cold weather.
Many homes sold in pet shops are too small.
A separate covered sleeping area for each animal.
A clean layer of wood shavings and plenty of hay or shredded paper for bedding.
Daily exercise in a large, safe grassy area.
Rabbits burrow, so ensure the enclosure is sunk into the ground, escape-proof and safe from predators.
Their home to be cleaned every day and bedding changed weekly. A gnawing block to wear down long teeth.
To be brushed every day if they have a long coat.
To be neutered at an early age. Ask your vet.
Injections to prevent serious diseases.
To be taken to a vet if they are ill or injured.
To be looked after when you are on holiday.
