Bringing home a rabbit can be an exciting and rewarding experience! As cute and cuddly as rabbits may seem, they do require proper care and attention to live a healthy, happy life. As a rabbit owner, it’s important you understand your responsibilities when it comes to meeting your bunny’s needs.
Follow these top 5 tips to make sure you’re properly caring for your long-eared friend!
Tip #1: Give Your Rabbit Plenty of Room to Roam
Rabbits are active creatures that love to play, run, and explore their surroundings. One of the easiest ways to make a rabbit happy and healthy is to give them ample space. The best housing options allow your rabbit access to exercise.
We recommend setting up a spacious pen or designating a rabbit-proofed room rather than keeping them confined to a small cage. Expandable x-pens provide the perfect blend of security while giving your pet room to hop around. Just be sure to rabbit-proof the area by removing electrical cords and other tempting chewables first!
Providing daily playtime outside of their enclosure is also important. You can do this by rabbit-proofing a room or letting them run around in a secure outdoor space under your supervision. The more room you give your rabbit to burn off energy, the happier they’ll be!
Tip #2: Feed a Balanced Rabbit Diet
A proper diet is crucial for keeping rabbits healthy and active. Rabbits require a balanced diet composed mainly of grass hay, leafy greens, vegetables, and rabbit pellets. Avoid sudden changes in their diet to prevent digestive issues.
Make sure hay is always available, as the fiber supports healthy digestion. Introduce leafy greens and veggies gradually, and feed pellets in limited quantities according to package instructions. Stay away from sugary fruits and human treats, which can cause obesity and health problems.
Provide fresh, clean water in a tip-proof bowl at all times as well. Consult your vet if you have questions about the best foods and portions for your bunny. Proper nutrition will keep your long-eared friend hopping along happily for years to come!
Tip #3: Groom Your Rabbit Regularly
Even indoor rabbits require regular brushing and grooming. With their luscious fur coats come tangles and loose hair they cannot easily remove themselves.
Spending time grooming is also a great way to bond with your bunny! Invest in a soft-bristle brush made specifically for rabbits and incorporate gentle strokes into your rabbit care routine. Getting them accustomed to brushing from a young age makes the experience less stressful.
Check for any mats in the fur, fleas, skin irritations, or signs of sore hocks on the feet. Address any issues right away to keep your rabbit comfortable. Regular grooming keeps their coat looking healthy and clean!
Tip #4: Schedule Yearly Checkups at Your Rabbit-Savvy Vet
Just like cats and dogs, rabbits require medical care from a qualified exotic vet. Wellness exams allow your vet to detect health issues early for the best treatment outcomes.
Vaccinations may be recommended to protect your rabbit against dangerous contagious diseases. Annual checkups also provide the chance to update vaccinations and discuss diet, behavior changes, dental issues, parasite prevention, and more with your vet.
Establishing a relationship with a rabbit-savvy vet you trust ensures you have somewhere to turn for urgent rabbit medical needs too. Do your research to find an experienced exotics vet in your area.
Regular vet care promotes early intervention for illness and establishes a thorough health history for your beloved bun. Don’t skip those annual checkups!
Tip #5: Rabbit-Proof Your Home
The classic image of a rabbit happily chewing a carrot belies a more mischievous truth—rabbits love to chew just about everything in sight! Protect your belongings and your rabbit’s safety by properly rabbit-proofing any environment they access.
This means covering vulnerable electrical cords, removing houseplants and other chewing temptations, blocking access behind appliances and furniture, and ensuring the space has no small holes they can squeeze into. Essentially, examine their space from a rabbit perspective!
You’ll also need to find solutions for destructive chewing behavior. Provide plentiful chew toys made specifically for rabbits to divert them from nibbling your home. Trim access to wires, spray them with bitter apple deterrent, or wrap with protective tubing.
Rabbit-proofing protects both your belongings and your rabbit from harm. Be diligent and proactive in order to avoid costly damage or emergency vet visits down the road!
Can Cats and Bunnies Get Along?
Having cats and bunnies together can sometimes be tricky. Cats naturally like to chase small animals that run fast. And bunnies hop away quick when scared. So kitties may want to chase bunnies.
But there are lots of things you can do so your cats and bunnies can live together peacefully:
• Slowly let them get used to each other’s smells first, before meeting face to face. Don’t rush things.
• Always watch them closely when letting them spend time together at first. Give kitty fun toys to play with instead of bunny. And let bunny hide if overwhelmed. Never leave alone unsupervised until you’re sure they get along.
• Give bunny their own safe, cozy space like a cage or room that cats can’t get into. That way bunny can relax without worrying about kitties.
• Make sure your cats have enough toys, cat trees, and playtime every day. This helps them pounce and chase cat toys instead of bunny.
• Kittens or cats raised with bunnies from a young age often make great friends with them. Adult shelter cats sometimes have a tougher time resisting chase urges.
With training and these tips, many cats and bunnies can become great buddies! Pay attention to kitty’s body language so you can stop unwanted chasing right away. Be patient and take things slow. Both your furkids will thank you.