Here is a basic overview on how to care for a pet rabbit:
- Step 1: Set Up Safe Indoor Housing.
- Step 2: Bunny Proof Your House.
- Step 3: Provide Fresh Hay.
- Step 4: Provide Fresh Greens, Fiber-rich Pellets, and Fresh Water.
- Step 5: Set Up a Litter Box.
- Step 6: Provide Enrichment.
- Step 7: Groom Your Rabbit.
What are rabbits basic needs?
Wicker toys, hard plastic toys, hard wooden toys, Cotton Tail Cottages, ramps and play tunnels, bunny fun runs or wicker tents. They have active minds and require play time and a variety of toys for positive stimulation. They love to adventure and to dig, so give them a healthy outlet for their normal behavior.
What do first time rabbit owners need?
Top Ten Tips for New Bunny Owners
- A rabbit savvy vet is your new best friend.
- Get them fixed!
- Think outside the hutch, and inside the house.
- Make sure you choose appropriate housing.
- Make sure your house is “bunny proofed”.
- Bunnies will use a litter box.
- Don’t forget to play!
- A bunny’s diet is essential.
What should I put in my rabbits cage?
What Should I Put In My Rabbit’s Cage?
- A Litter Box – Any safe, preferably plastic box that’s easy to clean, filled with a paper-based bedding.
- Lots of Hay – You can put the hay directly on the floor, or you can get a feed hopper that holds the hay on the side of the cage.
Should I lock my rabbit up at night?
Leaving a rabbit to run free overnight is a bad idea for the following reasons: Rabbits chew everything in sight. Electrical cables are a favorite delicacy. Unsupervised rabbit could electrocute themselves or even start a fire.
Do rabbits get attached to their owners?
Rabbits do appear to become attached to one person once a bond has formed. The formation of this bond takes time, patience, and no small amount of work. However, an attachment requires a bit more time. New rabbits can take anywhere from a few weeks to a few months to form an attachment to their owners.
How long can bunnies be left alone?
Even if you have a pair of rabbits, 24 hours is the maximum time they should be alone. Like all pets, rabbits rely heavily on their owners. Domesticated rabbits lack the survival skills of wild rabbits. Your rabbit has basic needs surrounding food, exercise, and stimulation.
How long should bunnies be out of their cage?
Their bodies are built for speed, and they need to be active to stay healthy. Rabbits must have at least 3 hours every day to run around outside their cage. They need a minimum of 32 square feet of space to play in.
What do you put at the bottom of a rabbit cage?
But if your cage or enclosure has a wire or plastic floor, then you’ll need to take measures to protect your bunnies’ feet. Cardboard, hay, and paper make excellent flooring for a cage or hutch. You probably already have some in your home right now. Wood bedding, marmoleum, and fleece work well, too.
How often should you change rabbit bedding?
Hay bedding in a rabbit’s living space should be changed once a week if the rabbit uses a litter box. If a rabbit doesn’t use a little box, this hay will need to be changed once every 2-3 days. Additional hay should be added at least once daily as rabbits will likely consume this hay for food. Don’t worry.
Where do rabbits like to be touched?
They put their head on the ground and close their eyes in contentment. They also love getting a good back scratch around the shoulders. That said, they tend not to like being touched on the ears, neck, feet, stomach or tail. Usually, my bunnies are most receptive to petting when they’re relaxing after a meal.
How much time should I spend with my rabbit?
It’s best to spend about an hour each day with your rabbit. On average, early morning is the best time to play with a rabbit, as it will be the most active. After that, the evening will be a prime opportunity for petting and cuddling. Younger rabbits may need your undivided attention as they have more energy.
How do you gain a rabbit’s trust?
Let her explore you first, and learn that you are not a threat. Give a few small treats as you are getting to know each other. Eating is a social activity for rabbits and eating together builds trust. Small portions of carrot, apple, herbs, or oats are offerings a rabbit will appreciate.
Should I put a blanket in my rabbit’s cage?
Blankets and towels are great additions to a rabbit’s home. Just avoid old, threadbare blankets with holes as paws can be trapped. Ensure your pet is not swallowing large amounts of fabric.
What do rabbits like to sleep on?
What Do Rabbits Like to Sleep On?
- Shredded Paper. Standard, plain paper fed through a shredder is best.
- Cellulose. This low-cost, readily available material is popular with all small animals.
- Aspen. Shreds of aspen are soft and absorbent.
- Hay. Most bunnies will sleep on hay.
- Rabbit Litter.
- Pellets.
- An Old Towel.
Do bunnies like blankets?
Yes, but be sure to watch out and monitor your rabbit. Giving rabbits soft blankets are good especially since rabbits want to snuggle with the soft fabrics whenever it is cold. They love to play with and roll around these soft blankets especially during sleeping time.
Do bunnies recognize their name?
Pet rabbits do know their own names. Rabbits can learn to associate sounds with specific commands over time. This includes coming to an owner when you call its name. Rewarding a rabbit with treats, petting, or other consistent positive reinforcements will help it retain these commands in its memory.
How do I know my rabbit is happy?
You will know if your rabbit is happy because they will:
- Lie down with a relaxed body.
- Lie down with a stretched body, still relaxed.
- Lie down with a fully extended body, still relaxed.
- Jumping into the air all 4 paws off the ground.
- Have a healthy appetite.
- Calm and quiet.
- Inquisitive.
Do rabbits like being held?
Most rabbits love to be cuddled and stroked when approached in the right way. Few like being held or carried as being so high up from the ground makes them feel insecure, however, many will happily sit on your lap or snuggle up next to you for a cuddle.
Can I sleep with my bunny?
If your rabbit wants to sleep with you and can do so safely, it’s fine. If you’re prepared to risk losing sleep, sharing a bed with a rabbit will deepen your bond. Just remember that rabbits like routine. You can’t share your bed some nights but not others.
How many times a day should you feed a rabbit?
The total amount of fresh food that you may give to your rabbit daily (once your bunny has been gradually introduced to it), is a minimum of 1 heaping cup (loosely packed), per 5 pound of body weight, given two times a day.
Justin Shelton is a professional cook. He’s been in the industry for over 10 years, and he loves nothing more than creating delicious dishes for others to enjoy. Justin has worked in some of the best kitchens in the country, and he’s always looking for new challenges and ways to improve his craft. When he’s not cooking, Justin enjoys spending time with his wife and son. He loves exploring new restaurants and trying out different cuisines.