The Basics

Okay so I'm new to this forum and new to pet rabbits in general. I've decided I want a small breed like a lionhead or holland lop or some other dwarf. I want to learn everything before even getting one so I was wondering if you could help me out. Are there any really good sites that are really helpful? What does the daily diet consist of? How much out of the cage time do they need if they are an indoor bunny? What kind of bedding is good? What are some good toys and things for amusement? Questions like that....please help. Oh and for an indoor bunny with a lot of out of the cage time, what size cage would be appropriate? Also if there are any sites where I can get some cages from because the ones at the pet store seem really small. Okay thanks so much!

By the way, I live in the USA for the cage question.

This is a great site I think http://www.mybunny.org/info/lit_1.htm

Hi, and welcome of course!:wave:

not sure what to say on cages in US but over here dog crates are used alot.

bun should be out the cage as much as poss-what are your options?

there are loads of useful books about try a search for "Rabbit Care" on amazon.com

also everyone on the forum is really helpful and resourseful:wave:

below is an amazon search, hope this helps

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_g...-alias=aps&field-keywords=rabbit+care&x=0&y=0

The House Rabbit Society have a great site: http://www.rabbit.org/ also they'll put you in touch with your local branch where you can find out about adopting a rabbit and they'll be able to give you local information about good vets and where to buy things.

There is also good info here: http://www.rabbitwelfare.co.uk/rwf/information.htm

These cages look quite nice: http://www.leithpetwerks.com/indexpage.cfm?category=1

Tamsin

Oh I already know where I'm adopting from. And you can use dog crates as a cage?
What size crate would you need?

A 46" crate is best.

If you use a dog crate, put some matting in the bottom so it's not slippery, and be aware that rabbits hate to run on polished wood, tile or vinyl flooring too, so they will need rugs if that's what you have. It's best to use a large underbed storage box made of plastic for a litter tray when they are in a dog crate, as the high sides on the box will keep most of the mess inside - although a baby rabbit would need a regular cat litter tray till it got bigger. Use paper based litter, not cat clay, as they will nibble the litter and cat clay will kill them if ingested, and put some hay in the litter box as well as in their bed - my bunnies like to have 2 boxes and keep one clean for a bed. Find a good hay supplier and a rabbit savvy vet BEFORE you get a bunny too

As you are in the US, please don't use a wire bottomed cage which seem popular over there, they really hurt rabbits feet and must be uncomfortable to stand on to say the least.

I find this site very useful! http://homepage.mac.com/mattocks/morfz/rabcare.html

And this link tell you all about a bunnies diet! With pictures of vegetables, flowers etc http://www.medirabbit.com/EN/GI_diseases/Food/feeding_en.pdf

If you want a house bunny I can recommend having your bunny/bunnies in one or several rooms you often use I have my two bunnies in the kitchen and bath room. They use litter trays. When we're at home they come into the living room with us

general advice on rabbits not sure whether any extras needed specifically for the us but here is my top tips:

find a vet who specialises with rabbits (most vets dont seem to know a lot about rabbits though they claim to)

try and get a bonded pair so they never lonely (though some rabbits prefer to be single(like some ppl lol))

always try to adopt rather than buy

use a rabbit pellet (excel/ss etc) rather than a pet shop mix as this prevents selective feeding and gets all the nuitriants in.

Provide lots of fresh hay and or fresh grass.

darker leafed greens are better &carrots are high in sugar so although they love them in moderation (a fat rabbit is more prone to sticky bum...i know i have overfed my buns by love in the past they healtheir when slim trust me!!!)

lots of excersise if in garden a large run or free range (with a hutch of about 5x2x2 or bigger) if indoors a dog crate plus pen or free range.

rabbits generally prefer you to go to their level not be picked up.

get them neutered & vaccinated for both vhd and myxi. (the vaccs i cannot stress enough)

toys...um cardboard boxes....tunnels...flowerpots and yellow pages um a piece of rag on string...food orientated toys...willow balls &sticks um...that sort of thing..

The most important thing to give your bunny though is LOTS OF LOVE!!!!

bunlover said:

get them neutered & vaccinated for both vhd and myxi. (the vaccs i cannot stress enough)

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Im not sure how relevant this is to the US...

Sooz22 said:

Im not sure how relevant this is to the US...

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do they not have mxyi and vhd in us? surely neutering will still help with agression, cancer prevention in females and a future bondin?