New lion head mama, would like some tips

[devin]

I've had my girl Luna for about a month. I got her from these people who were keeping four rabbits in a cage the size for one. I'm currently using Aspen bedding and I'm planning on switching to pine pellets for better cost and odor control. And I am also currently using Kaytee Timothy hay. I also know I need to get a bigger cage and I am planning on building a hutch for her in the near future.
I usually keep her in her cage at night while I'm asleep and let her run around my room while I'm up and about during the day. The Aspen works very well for odor control but where I am its about 20 dollars a bag opposed to the pine pellets which are about 8 dollars for a 40 pound bag. I would just like some product recommendations that are cost friendly and tips for care for her. I very much enjoy having her and I plan on getting her a buddy once I get a job. I'm a home-schooled high school student so I usually have time for her and I feel if I get a job I will still be home a lot and she will be okay. The person I got her from doesn't know much about them and I would very much appreciate any tips and advice. Thank you! - Devin

 

[tonibun]

Hello and welcome. Megazorb is quite popular but maybe you can't get it where you are. I use a good woodshavings covered with newspaper which is cleaned out every day so there is no odour. Pine is not recommended really. The problem with shavings is they can give off phenols when wet which can affect the liver. Anything too dusty can cause respiratory problems. Hay should be her main food with a small amount of pellets and maybe a small amount of veg. There is a lot of good advice on the Rabbit Welfare's website. She will need to be neutered before introducing another Rabbit. Non-clumping cat litter can also be used as a substrate.

 

[Orenoko]

Another vote for megazorb, as tonibun said pine can cause issues. Carefresh is another good brand but it is pricey. She looks young, so I'd try and get her used to being gently groomed as lion heads need a little extra care on that front. She's very cute.

 

[bunny momma]

Welcome
She is very cute
I have two lionheads. I groom them once a week, or more often if shedding/moulting so agree with getting them used to grooming.

 

[devin]

Another vote for megazorb, as tonibun said pine can cause issues. Carefresh is another good brand but it is pricey. She looks young, so I'd try and get her used to being gently groomed as lion heads need a little extra care on that front. She's very cute.

She is young I'm pretty sure around 2-3 months. I groom her around every few days, she doesn't seem to mind it she'll hop off once she's had enough. I've done some research and many people are using not pine shavings but specifically kiln dried pine pellets it is said to get rid of the dust and harmful oils.

 

[devin]

Hello and welcome. Megazorb is quite popular but maybe you can't get it where you are. I use a good woodshavings covered with newspaper which is cleaned out every day so there is no odour. Pine is not recommended really. The problem with shavings is they can give off phenols when wet which can affect the liver. Anything too dusty can cause respiratory problems. Hay should be her main food with a small amount of pellets and maybe a small amount of veg. There is a lot of good advice on the Rabbit Welfare's website. She will need to be neutered before introducing another Rabbit. Non-clumping cat litter can also be used as a substrate.

Thank you for the info! I did not know she needed to get neutered before introducing a friend. I give her matchstick carrots and a little lettuce every day and she has a few treat options. I did read that about the pine shavings but I've seen a lot of people use specifically kiln dried pine pellets and that supposedly gets rid of the dust and harmful oils. I've googled and I can only get megazorb online, or I would get it because its not pricey at all but just the Aspen bedding being I think 19 dollars is a big much in my opinion.

 

[devin]

Welcome
She is very cute
I have two lionheads. I groom them once a week, or more often if shedding/moulting so agree with getting them used to grooming.

Thank you! I have been working on getting her used to it especially because I recently found out she is double maned!

 

[Zarla]

She is definitely double-maned and will be VERY fluffy as an adult. I've owned lionhead bunnies for over 20 years and absolutely adore them. Yours has the same black and white Dutch colouring as my current bunny, Dusty. Such a cutie!

Try to upgrade her cage asap as even for a baby it's too small. A 3 foot long cage would be better.

 

[Shimmer]

I use hemp shiv under hay in the big litter trays for all my lionheads. Paper-based cat litter is also a good option.
Anything that gets caught up in the fur isn't recommended as it will cause matting which is difficult to deal with. Putting a layer of newspaper and / or hay on top helps.

Grooming - I groom mine weekly unless they are having a big moult, in which case increase the frequency as required. I use a double sided metal dog comb so that I get right trough the fur to skin level. That stops mats forming, which is what happens if you just use a brush - it only does the top layers. You need to get her used to being groomed in the areas that are hard to get to but knot up the most - under arms , 'trousers', around the tail and the feet. I hold mine up on their back legs and their body against me so I can get to the underneath bits with the other hand.

Knots and matting are best dealt with by easing them out if you can, or cutting into them (outwards & away from the skin) to break them up first.