New bunny

[SophiasBunny]

Hey guys so my parents got my daughter a bunny for her 2nd bday unexpectantly…we are excited to keep it but nees help…its a small bunny but not sure how old or gender…we have alfalfa hay that came with the bunny…we have a small house so cant buy a huge cage so any recommemdations on size would help…and pretty much any other advice…i will also be reading around on this website and other sources to get more info…ill post a photo of the bunny soon..

[Azerane]

Hello there, what a surprise that must have been! It sounds like bunny is in good hands though as you are doing plenty of research

Alfalfa hay is good for buns under 6 months old though it can be tough to transition them off of it. So you can also feed a grass hay at this time too (timothy, meadow, orchard, oaten etc). Diet should be 80% hay, 15% leafy greens (introduce these slowly and one per week. Sometimes young rabbits don’t tolerate greens well so it can be better to hold off if very young) and 5% pellets. Depending on the size and age of your bun, up to 1/4 cup of pellets daily is probably ok. If you’d like a better idea of age we can probably help if you post a picture. Gender can be more tricky but if bunny it’s probably easier to find out once he or she matures.

If you’re tight on space some good options that are flexible to different spaces include x-pens and c&c cages. There are galleries of different housing types on the binky bunny habitat page here: https://binkybunny.com/BUNNYINFO/GreatHabitats/tabid/229/Default.aspx that should help give you some ideas Horizontal space is more important for bunnies than vertical space (it’s better for them to hop along flat ground than up and down small levels). But find something that works for you and your space. Some people use XL dog crates for a home base and then let bunny out into a pen or to free roam the house for a few hours each day.

I suppose the other main thing is litter training. Baby buns can hormonal teenage buns can be difficult to litter train but once they are litter trained it saves a world of mess Having a hay rack next to/above the litter tray helps, and having litter/bedding only in the litter tray rather than all throughout the cage helps to save confusion. I use wood pellets in my litter tray and fleece blankets as bedding in the rest of the cage.

I’d also suggest that you read up on GI (Gastro Intestinal) Stasis if you haven’t already. It’s one of the most common ailments in buns and can become serious quite quickly. Knowing what to look for can be a life saver Good diet can usually prevent it but GI stasis is considered a symptom and can occur from a myriad of illness (respiratory infection, tooth problems, gas, pulled muscle etc).

Welcome to the wonderful world of bunny ownership

[sarahthegemini]

Bunnies need a lot of space. Far more than what pet shops would like you to believe. Can you bun proof a room for her?

Also, please note that bunnies rarely enjoy being picked up. It terrifies them. Most people think rabbits are super cuddly and enjoy being picked up and snuggled but for the majority, this is completely untrue.

[Bunnyph]

Talking about pellets, i’d recommend Oxbow Young Rabbit Food. Many websites say to feed young buns unlimited pellets but this is not always a great idea. I think it’s better to feed them only 1/4 cup of pellets like Azerane suggested. The pellets are based on alfalfa hay as well so if you continue to feed alfalfa hay, limit the pellets. At about 6 months, start transitioning the bun’s hay from alfalfa to timothy or oaten hay. My bun is only 4 months old but if I give him too many pellets, his poop is a little off and way too small, so be careful.

Young rabbits are also very energetic so be careful when you’re near not to step or kick on them by accident! They are very fragile beings and can get scared easily. Try not to hold the rabbit unless you really have to. If you make the bun happy though, he’ll feel more comfortable with your presence and will trust and want to be closer with you all. Might even come for some head rubs

By the age of 4-5 months, your bun may start to moult (or go through a shedding stage) that lasts for a couple of weeks. It’s a good idea to get a rabbit safe brush. This will prevent them from ingesting too much hair and causing other problems.

By the way, do you live in a country with a risk of carrying calicivirus or myxomatosis? This is fatal to rabbits. Try get the vaccination for your bun if possible. I’m assuming your rabbit must live inside. If so, it might be okay, but it is still better to get it done (maybe when your bun goes for a check up?)

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