How to Care for House Rabbits

As a new rabbit owner, it is important to consider the various needs that your indoor bunny will have. Although rabbits may look cute and cuddly, they are pets with awesome personalities and a multitude of needs. Here are some tips for bringing home your new bunny.

First, make sure you have the right supplies at hand. First and foremost, you will need a sizeable cage, one that is big enough to allow the rabbit to stand up and stretch as well. Inside the cage, you will need a litter box, food and water bowls/bottles, and a few toys to play with. Rabbits can get bored easily and love to play, so toys are necessary. You may even notice that your bunny rearranges his or her cage every few months to make things more exciting. Also, avoid a cage with a wire-bottom floor; these floors can cause sore hocks, an uncomfortable disease for rabbits.

Next, you will also want an area of the house for the rabbit to play. Rabbits are active creatures and require a good deal of exercise, around three hours daily. You might consider purchasing an exercise pen (available at pet stores, usually in the dog aisle, though there are some designed for small animals) so the rabbit can get out and about. Bunny proofing is also a must, as rabbits can be quite destructive. Rabbits love to chew electrical cords, carpeting, and everything they can get their teeth on. Luckily, there are supplies available, including cord protectors, which should help. You should also give your new pet a good selection of chews toys specifically designed for rabbits, which will help their desire to chew.

When you first bring your bunny home, make sure to handle it gently and speak softly. Give him or her a chance to get used to the new area and claim the cage as his or her home. Another helpful tip is to get down on the ground on the rabbit's level, so that he or she can see you eye to eye. This will help prevent the rabbit from becoming frightened. Make sure to be patient; sometimes it takes a bunny a while to warm up to a new home.

Finally, in terms of food, select a product with a low calcium content and a high fiber content. One good choice is the products by Oxbow, which include pellets, treats, and hay. Hay is the most essential part of a rabbit's diet, and a rabbit should have an unlimited amount of hay placed in the cage. If you are adopting a baby or young rabbit, you should feed alfalfa hay. Adult rabbits should not be given alfalfa; instead, treat them to timothy, oat, brome, or orchard grass. Rabbits also should have a sampling of fresh vegetables and fruits; for information and a list of healthy vs. unsafe vegetables, check out www.rabbit.org. Remember to feed treats sparingly, as they are hard for rabbits to digest.

This is just the beginning of a lifelong friendship with your bun (remember, most rabbits can live to an average age of 8 - 10 years), so this is not a commitment to be taken lightly. If you need further information, remember to check out www.rabbit.org. Go ahead and give your bun some love!