"General Care And Information"
The following are tips and misc. information that might be helpful in your bunny adventures...whether your pet owner or breeder. Please note: I am NOT a vet and that all information provided is from my own personal experiences, opinions and guidance given to me by some of the nations top breeders and may not be the best for your situation. If you have ANY questions about bunnies or their care or looking for a reputable breeder ( I have lots of bunny friends with beautiful bunnies :) please don't hesitate to contact me. Thanks!
A pet rabbit's average lifespan is 8-10 years. (remember, I said average).
Don't throw out those plastic bottles You can fill and freeze them...turning them into instant bunny mini A/Cs to help keep your rabbit cool in the HOT summers!! Just save plastic bottles, remove labels, fill with water and freeze. Then place it in your bunnies cage....they love to lean against it..usually on their side, tummy or face/cheeks with an ear thrown over it! This really helps keep them cool "down here" in the South, where our summers are brutally Hot and humid! If you have mulitple bunnies, save several bottles so you can rotate them as the ice melts. Again, you may have that "special" bunny that eats everything...so, this may not work for you but I recommend trying it. Out of all my bunnies, I have that "special one" that chews and destroys everything!!
Air ciruclation is crucial in the heat...fans, fans, fans,...just don't point the fans directly on them.
Rabbits are social animals and love human interaction. They can even be taught to do simple tricks like come when called, stand on their hind legs and even give "bunny kisses" And bunnies do appreciate a romp around the room. Be sure to leave their cage door open so they have access to food, water and their litter pan. Pick a word or short phrase (I use "it's night-night time") and you can teach you bunny simple commands.
Don't throw out those plastic bottles You can fill and freeze them...turning them into instant bunny mini A/Cs to help keep your rabbit cool in the HOT summers!! Just save plastic bottles, remove labels, fill with water and freeze. Then place it in your bunnies cage....they love to lean against it..usually on their side, tummy or face/cheeks with an ear thrown over it! This really helps keep them cool "down here" in the South, where our summers are brutally Hot and humid! If you have mulitple bunnies, save several bottles so you can rotate them as the ice melts. Again, you may have that "special" bunny that eats everything...so, this may not work for you but I recommend trying it. Out of all my bunnies, I have that "special one" that chews and destroys everything!!
Air ciruclation is crucial in the heat...fans, fans, fans,...just don't point the fans directly on them.
Rabbits are social animals and love human interaction. They can even be taught to do simple tricks like come when called, stand on their hind legs and even give "bunny kisses" And bunnies do appreciate a romp around the room. Be sure to leave their cage door open so they have access to food, water and their litter pan. Pick a word or short phrase (I use "it's night-night time") and you can teach you bunny simple commands.
"Feeding/Nutrition"
As for food, here is what works for us. Now, that we are into raising and showing our rabbits, we need the extra protein for their coats. I feed my bunnies, PenPals Show 16% Protein (for our Jersey Woolies) and PenPals Professional 18% Protein (for our Silver Fox) which is a min. 16% protein and 18.5%-20% fiber and all the hay they want...a good quality coastal/bahia (grass hay) works well for us. You can use timothy hay if it is soft and fresh...try not to give your older bunnies too much alfalfa...that is better for younger ones. I know some breeders use the small hay cubes...they swear they last longer and have less mess.
You can give your pet bunny treats on a limited basis...I personally don't give our hollands or woolies anything as treats, except Cheerios. Our Silver Fox get the occasional sweet potato (sliced in half), alfalfa cube and the occasional apple or banana slice. My advice is to stay away from lettuce (iceberg) it can give your bunny runny/soft stools. If you want to occasionally give them a piece of leafy green, like romain, piece of carrot, apple or banana, that is fine...just do it in small pieces and small quantities. I give mine plain Cheerios as treats and if I get a new rabbit and he/she is out of sorts and not eating well...it helps entice them. Or I will give them some whole oats (Old Fashioned Oatmeal)
Some breeders make their own mix up using pellets and adding rolled oats, sunflower seeds and various supplements...I personally, just use a quality feed/pellet and quality grass hay and top dress with a FEW pieces of rolled oats and BOSS (black oil sunflower seed)...if a rabbit has a good coat in good condition, I believe that is owed to being well taken care of and good genetics. We make sure our rabbits have plenty of fresh Clean Hay to munch on. Summer and Winter we make sure they get it daily.
Water...fresh, clean water on a dailiy basis is VERY IMPORTANT. We are on a automatic water system and a few, water bottles...it is just my personal preference to use the water system, if you choose to use water bottles keep a check on them that they do not get clogged. Or make sure it is not leaking, Now, imagine that your bunnie's waterbottle leaked completely out in the morning of the hottest day of the year and you won't be home until dark... SO please check your water bottles. Some breeders, choose to use heavy ceramic crocks for their water. Which that works great too, Some like the ceramic rather than the plastic, because they are heavier, making it very hard and unlikely to turn over and they are easier to sanitize and keep clean. Now, you will have to take precautions if you have kits (babies in rabbit lingo)...you will have to make sure to use a shallower dish so the kits can't drown. This is all a matter of preference. You do what works best for you and your rabbitry.
You can give your pet bunny treats on a limited basis...I personally don't give our hollands or woolies anything as treats, except Cheerios. Our Silver Fox get the occasional sweet potato (sliced in half), alfalfa cube and the occasional apple or banana slice. My advice is to stay away from lettuce (iceberg) it can give your bunny runny/soft stools. If you want to occasionally give them a piece of leafy green, like romain, piece of carrot, apple or banana, that is fine...just do it in small pieces and small quantities. I give mine plain Cheerios as treats and if I get a new rabbit and he/she is out of sorts and not eating well...it helps entice them. Or I will give them some whole oats (Old Fashioned Oatmeal)
Some breeders make their own mix up using pellets and adding rolled oats, sunflower seeds and various supplements...I personally, just use a quality feed/pellet and quality grass hay and top dress with a FEW pieces of rolled oats and BOSS (black oil sunflower seed)...if a rabbit has a good coat in good condition, I believe that is owed to being well taken care of and good genetics. We make sure our rabbits have plenty of fresh Clean Hay to munch on. Summer and Winter we make sure they get it daily.
Water...fresh, clean water on a dailiy basis is VERY IMPORTANT. We are on a automatic water system and a few, water bottles...it is just my personal preference to use the water system, if you choose to use water bottles keep a check on them that they do not get clogged. Or make sure it is not leaking, Now, imagine that your bunnie's waterbottle leaked completely out in the morning of the hottest day of the year and you won't be home until dark... SO please check your water bottles. Some breeders, choose to use heavy ceramic crocks for their water. Which that works great too, Some like the ceramic rather than the plastic, because they are heavier, making it very hard and unlikely to turn over and they are easier to sanitize and keep clean. Now, you will have to take precautions if you have kits (babies in rabbit lingo)...you will have to make sure to use a shallower dish so the kits can't drown. This is all a matter of preference. You do what works best for you and your rabbitry.