Basic Rabbit Care
Main Basic Info About Rabbits
Interested in a rabbit but unsure of what their diet should be? Read this article and you will get the info you need in no time
Hay
Hay should be the first thing on your rabbit checklist, hay is what is going to keep your rabbits digestive system going, hay is going to keep your rabbit healthy. Your going to hear the word Hay a lot! There are multiple different kinds and types of hay, we are going to be talking about the different types first.
Types of hay-(Different Cuttings)
There is 1st, 2nd, and 3rd cutting hay. First cutting is more of a straw type, 2nd cutting is just right it keeps your rabbits teeth down, and 3rd cutting is very soft and is more used for baby bunnies and maybe for bunnies with teeth issues. I personally prefer 2nd cutting because it is just right not to soft and not to rough, I used 3rd cutting once and it was more thin and more messy. How do you know what type of cutting your hay is when buying it? If the bag has a little see through part look at it does it look thicker or thinner? A farm stores (Coastal Farms / Wilco) you can ask what cutting it is, I either buy and grab & go bales or the tied bales both are 2nd cutting.
Kinds of hay(Different Tastes)
There are multiple different kinds of hay there is Orchard, Timothy, Alfalfa, Oat, Meadow, and More! The 3 that you will likely see at a store is Orchard, Timothy, and Alfalfa. I have had my bunnies try each one of those 3 hays and they liked Orchard the most, but every bunny has a different taste they like.
Alfalfa Hay-
Alfalfa hay is seen a lot at pet stores but is it really that good for your bunny? It is and is not(weight wise), with Alfalfa hay it is recommend you give it to a bunny under 4-5 months with bunnies 6+ months it could get them over weight (and nobody wants that). The reason thats the case is because Alfalfa hay has a lot more protein than Orchard or Timothy. So the only time I get Alfalfa is when there is no more Orchard or Timothy Hay left, but I don't get a bale that is just Alfalfa I get one that is mixed with Orchard/Timothy hay (you can find it at coastal farms).
Timothy & Orchard Hay-
These two hays are the ones I recommend the most. Orchard has a little bit more protein than Timothy but it won't cause your bunny to gain significant weight like Alfalfa.
The Benefits Of Hay-
Hay helps a rabbits digestive system work properly and if a rabbit is only fed pellets it will cause the rabbit to have health issues. And maybe even get GI-Stasis witch is fatal for rabbits.
Types of hay-(Different Cuttings)
There is 1st, 2nd, and 3rd cutting hay. First cutting is more of a straw type, 2nd cutting is just right it keeps your rabbits teeth down, and 3rd cutting is very soft and is more used for baby bunnies and maybe for bunnies with teeth issues. I personally prefer 2nd cutting because it is just right not to soft and not to rough, I used 3rd cutting once and it was more thin and more messy. How do you know what type of cutting your hay is when buying it? If the bag has a little see through part look at it does it look thicker or thinner? A farm stores (Coastal Farms / Wilco) you can ask what cutting it is, I either buy and grab & go bales or the tied bales both are 2nd cutting.
Kinds of hay(Different Tastes)
There are multiple different kinds of hay there is Orchard, Timothy, Alfalfa, Oat, Meadow, and More! The 3 that you will likely see at a store is Orchard, Timothy, and Alfalfa. I have had my bunnies try each one of those 3 hays and they liked Orchard the most, but every bunny has a different taste they like.
Alfalfa Hay-
Alfalfa hay is seen a lot at pet stores but is it really that good for your bunny? It is and is not(weight wise), with Alfalfa hay it is recommend you give it to a bunny under 4-5 months with bunnies 6+ months it could get them over weight (and nobody wants that). The reason thats the case is because Alfalfa hay has a lot more protein than Orchard or Timothy. So the only time I get Alfalfa is when there is no more Orchard or Timothy Hay left, but I don't get a bale that is just Alfalfa I get one that is mixed with Orchard/Timothy hay (you can find it at coastal farms).
Timothy & Orchard Hay-
These two hays are the ones I recommend the most. Orchard has a little bit more protein than Timothy but it won't cause your bunny to gain significant weight like Alfalfa.
The Benefits Of Hay-
Hay helps a rabbits digestive system work properly and if a rabbit is only fed pellets it will cause the rabbit to have health issues. And maybe even get GI-Stasis witch is fatal for rabbits.
Pellets
Pellets are another good source of protein and minerals for a rabbit but it should not be there full diet. Pellets are also an optimal choice for your rabbit, you can easily replace 1/4 cup of pellets with 1/4 cup of veggies/fruits! There are also many different brands of pellets, some are made with better quail it’s ingredients than others so it is important to find reviews from other bunny owners and look at the packaging ingredients. Here are some brands we recommend(we have used some of these and the bunnies enjoyed them!): Oxbow, Sherwood, Country Companion, Purina, Kaytee, & Manna Pro.
Fruits & Veggies
There are many different fruits & veggies that you rabbit can and can't eat! So to keep your rabbit safe here is a list of vegetables that are safe for your rabbit, but you should also remember to not give your rabbit a lot of veggies it can upset their stomach.
Veggies:
Bell peppers, Brussels sprouts, Carrot tops, Cucumber, Fenne, Herbs: basil, cilantro, dill, mint, oregano, parsley, rosemary, sage, thyme, Lettuces: romaine, green leaf, red leaf, arugula, butter, Okra leaves, Radicchio, Radish tops, Sprouts: alfalfa, radish, clover, Watercress, Wheatgrass, Zucchini, Carrots, Chard, Clover, Collard greens
Dandelion greens (pesticide-free)
Flowers: calendula, chamomile, daylily, dianthus, English daisy, hibiscus, honeysuckle, marigold, nasturtium, pansy, rose, Kale, and Spinach
Fruits:
Apple (no seeds), Banana, Berries: blueberries, blackberries, strawberries, raspberries, cranberries, Cherries (no seeds), Grapes, Melon, Nectarine, Orange, Papaya, Peach, Pear, Pineapple, Plum, and Watermelon
Veggies:
Bell peppers, Brussels sprouts, Carrot tops, Cucumber, Fenne, Herbs: basil, cilantro, dill, mint, oregano, parsley, rosemary, sage, thyme, Lettuces: romaine, green leaf, red leaf, arugula, butter, Okra leaves, Radicchio, Radish tops, Sprouts: alfalfa, radish, clover, Watercress, Wheatgrass, Zucchini, Carrots, Chard, Clover, Collard greens
Dandelion greens (pesticide-free)
Flowers: calendula, chamomile, daylily, dianthus, English daisy, hibiscus, honeysuckle, marigold, nasturtium, pansy, rose, Kale, and Spinach
Fruits:
Apple (no seeds), Banana, Berries: blueberries, blackberries, strawberries, raspberries, cranberries, Cherries (no seeds), Grapes, Melon, Nectarine, Orange, Papaya, Peach, Pear, Pineapple, Plum, and Watermelon
How To Groom Different Fur Types Of Rabbit Furs
Clipping Nails
Here is a rabbit first aid kit list I have made that has either been helpful with my rabbits or is on my rabbit shop list. I am not a vet so please don't replace this for veterinarian care, if your rabbits symptoms/injures are bad please go to a rabbit savy-vet.
Good to have if your bunny has Allergies, or if your bunny seems congested from dust, smoke.
Instructions: 3-4 drops directly in mouth 3 times a day, or 6 drops in water every day.
Instructions: 3-4 drops directly in mouth 3 times a day, or 6 drops in water every day.
Amazing, Amazing rabbit dewormer! Works amazing with preventive wrm clearning senior bunnies and kits.
Instructions: 3-4 drops directly in mouth 3 times a day, or 6 drops in water every day.
Instructions: 3-4 drops directly in mouth 3 times a day, or 6 drops in water every day.
We are currently working on a well-needed updated version!
Other Helpful Info
Winter Care
Summer Care
Frozen Water Bottles-
Rabbits can't live in heat over 80 degrees so it is very important to give them something cool it can save their lives!! Heat stroke can easily happen to rabbits so it is important to keep them cool during times over 80 degrees, I like to give my Rabbits Frozen Water Bottles. So what I do is get water bottles that are empty and fill them with tap water, I make sure to not fill it all the way to the top since when it freezes it gets "bigger". It can take a whole night for the water to freeze so do it at least a day before it is going to be hot. When I give my bunnies the Frozen Water Bottle I put it next to them so they can lay next to it and lick it to stay cool.
Spray Bottle-
You might be thinking what can a Spray Bottle help a rabbit cool down? Well what you do is fill it up with cold water not hot water, then go to your rabbit and spray some in both of their ears this will help the blood in their ears cool down so the rest of the rabbit's body can cool down. I usually do this through out the day or when ever my bunnies ears feel hot.
Shade From the Sun-
Shade is extremely important in the summer or just on sunny days, the sun can make your rabbit very over heated and can cause Heat Stroke which can be fatal in rabbits! I usually try to get my rabbits play pens on shaded areas or areas with minimal sunlight.
It is still important to let your rabbit get sun and play when there is nice weather, but just make sure the sun is not hitting them directly for long periods of time.
Rabbits can't live in heat over 80 degrees so it is very important to give them something cool it can save their lives!! Heat stroke can easily happen to rabbits so it is important to keep them cool during times over 80 degrees, I like to give my Rabbits Frozen Water Bottles. So what I do is get water bottles that are empty and fill them with tap water, I make sure to not fill it all the way to the top since when it freezes it gets "bigger". It can take a whole night for the water to freeze so do it at least a day before it is going to be hot. When I give my bunnies the Frozen Water Bottle I put it next to them so they can lay next to it and lick it to stay cool.
Spray Bottle-
You might be thinking what can a Spray Bottle help a rabbit cool down? Well what you do is fill it up with cold water not hot water, then go to your rabbit and spray some in both of their ears this will help the blood in their ears cool down so the rest of the rabbit's body can cool down. I usually do this through out the day or when ever my bunnies ears feel hot.
Shade From the Sun-
Shade is extremely important in the summer or just on sunny days, the sun can make your rabbit very over heated and can cause Heat Stroke which can be fatal in rabbits! I usually try to get my rabbits play pens on shaded areas or areas with minimal sunlight.
It is still important to let your rabbit get sun and play when there is nice weather, but just make sure the sun is not hitting them directly for long periods of time.
Looking for other rabbit breeders? Here are a couple that we 100% recommend checking out!
- Whisper Lops Rabbitry- www.whisperlops.com
- Shady Grove Rabbitry- www.shadygroverabbitry.com
- Country Valleys Rabbitry- www.countryvalleyrabbitry.weebly.com
- Flora Rabbitry- florarabbitry.wixsite.com
- Blue Clover Rabbitry- www.bluecloverrabbitry.com
- Lots Of Lops Rabbitry- www.lotsoflops.com
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