About to get a bunny!

[CElez]

Hi there! Any tips and/or tricks for a new bunny owner? This is my first bunny and I don’t want to screw anything up!

[Wick & Fable]

People woll probably post a lot of stuff, so I’ll just ads in a lesser-mentuoned item that’s very important.

If you’re someone who is not financially independent (i.e. a child or young adult without a stable income), you need your guardian(s) or someone to be responsible for the rabbit as well. Rabbits are expensive and require time, commitment, modes of transportation when needed for urgent vet visits, etc.. Rabbits also need a lot of space, not just a cage. They require rabbit proofing which involves modifying the home you live in and they require social time with you, so you or other parties should be around and present so the rabbit isn’t lonely, though it doesn’t mean interact
with the rabbit that entire time. If youre not in a position to facilitate all of this, now may not be the best time for you to get a rabbit.

I mention this because I had a rabbit when I was a child, and it was a terrible life for the rabbit. Over a decade later, I now have Wick and realize what an enormous responsibility rabbit ownership is and it was unrealistic and uninformed of me as a child to think I could do it on my own.

The answers provided in this discussion are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or a qualified behaviorist.

[Daisy]

How exiting! I do have some tips:

– Bunnies are social animals and not meant to be alone.It is most recommended to pick up a bonded pair of rabbits (neutered male + female) to prevent loneliness. Note I said bonded pair. If you get two seperate bunnies, you need to bond them yourself. There are plenty of shelters that offer already bonded bunnies to save you the trouble! If you are not in the position to do so, be sure you can devote a significant amount of free time to your bunny, they get lonely very easily!

– New owners usually give too much pellets to their bunnies and of low quality. Too many pellets cause obesity and refusal to eat hay. Hay is their main food, so it is quite important that they eat it to prevent all kinds of health issues. Pick out pellets that are unmixed and plain to prevent picky bunnies. Oxbow Essentials, Science Selective Supreme and Beaphare Care+ and Hopefarms Supertrio are all good and very popular among rabbit owners.

– I said it before but I’ll just say it again: Hay is the most important thing for a rabbit. They need unlimited access to it. Also, veggies are not just treats but an important part of their diet, but many are dangerous for them! Do research on what veggies/treats to feed and what not. Grains are regarded as unhealthy; avoid treats that contain a lot of grains (these are often treats made for rabbits in pet stores, so keep an eye out).

– Don’t use wood shavings as bedding. It stinks easily, is dusty and it is regarded unhealthy for rabbits. Wood pellets and paper pellets are much better. I also see people being a fan of cotton bedding, but I have never tried that myself.

– Rabbits need at least 1 square meter per rabbit, but preferably 2 square meters or more. They also need toys and hidey houses to prevent boredom. People like housing their bunnies in pens because of this, as most commercially available cages are too small.

– In some areas of the world deadly diseases Myxomatosis and RHD exist. They are almost 100% lethal for your rabbit once it catches it. If you live in these areas, be sure to vaccinate them. Ask a vet if you are unsure if they need vaccination.

These are my “wish I knew this when I started” tips! Hope they will help you out a little.

[Gordo and Janice]

Hi CElez. Just to add, the BUNNY INFO tab up top has a lot of information as well to help get you up to speed. And I really want to reemphasize what Wick said as well. Very very important. Not to be taken lightly.

Welcome to the community!

[Author]

Messages