Rabbit Questions (first-time owner)?

Question

Hey Everyone :-)

Yesterday, my parents surprised me with a Dwarf Rabbit, so I had about an hours notice, but I don't know anything about them. I was busy setting up the cage and "bunny-proofing" my bedroom, so I didn't have any time to research them, which sort of bothers me. I prefer to know everything beforehand, so I'm extremely stressed right now.

Basically, I have a list of questions that I NEED answered. The most helpful, detailed and longest answer gets ten points. If you want to add in any more information, I would really appreciate it.

1.) What fruits and vegetables can I feed my rabbit? What should I stay away from?

2.) How can I get her to bond quickly with me? How long until she starts acting friendlier?

3.) How long to Dwarf Rabbits normally live? How do I make sure she has a long, healthy life?

4.) How often do I clean her cage, and how do I clean it? How do I stop my bedroom from smelling like a zoo?

5.) How should I handel my rabbit? How do I pick her up safely?

6.) What household items can I use for toys, and what can I do to keep her entertained?

7.) What supplies will I need, in the long run? I have a cage, small house, bedding, blankets, food, food dish, water bottle and timothy hay. Any thing else?

8.) How do I litter train a rabbit, and would a shoe box be alright for a litter box, if I changed it often?

9.) I have a Lion-Lion headrf Rabbit, when should I expect it's full main to grow in, and will I need to brush it daily after that?

10.) Anything else? Any websites, or links I could go to, for more information?

Thanks for all the answers, I know it's long but we really need the help. I'll take any information or tips I can get. <3
~*~ Megan & Mika ~*~

Answer 1

It is great you are bunny proofing your bedroom. You should not bother with a cage and just let your rabbit live there. I do not agree with rabbits being caged as they need space to run,jump and stand. If you have made your room safe then it is the perfect place for your rabbit to live. They can easily be litter trained so get a litter tray right away for your bunny.



It is ok to give fruit as a treat but vegetables are the best for a rabbit. You should feed your rabbit vegetables twice a day. Here is a list of suitable ones:

Alfalfa, radish & clover sprouts

Basil

Beet greens (tops)*

Bok choy

Broccoli (mostly leaves/stems)*

Brussels sprouts

Carrot & carrot tops*

Celery

Cilantro

Clover

Collard greens*

Dandelion greens and flowers (no pesticides)*

Endive*

Escarole

Green peppers

Kale (!)*

Mint

Mustard greens*

Parsley*

Pea pods (the flat edible kind)*

Peppermint leaves

Raddichio

Radish tops

Raspberry leaves

Romaine lettuce (no iceberg or light colored leaf)*

Spinach (!)*

Watercress*

Wheat grass



(!)=Use sparingly. High in either oxalates or goitrogens and may be toxic in



You cannot get a rabbit to bond quickly. It takes time and patience. You have to be gentle. Talk softly and leave her time to get used to her new home. Rabbits hate to be picked up so try not to do this unless you really must. Softly stroke her each day for her to get used to you and being petted.



Dwarf rabbits can live for seven years if given the right care.



Your bedroom will not smell if you just change the litter tray each day. This is so much easier then cleaning out a cage. My bunny lives happily in my room and I would not dream of having him caged.



The best way to pick up a rabbit is to place one hand under her rump and the other around her chest so she feels supported. There are some videos you can watch which can show you. Please try not to pick her up though as they really get frightened. Here is a video which will show you:



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jdt0XKNlfRY



Rabbits love tunnels so you can get one and watch her crawl in and out of it. You can also get a cardboard box and cut a hole in it for her to hide in when she feels like it. Paper cups can be made into a tower and knocked over. You can also get cardboard rolls filed with hay for her to play with.



You have everything you need already apart from the litter tray. Make sure you feed her Burgess Excell nuggets as this is the best food for rabbits.



A shoe box would not be suitable for a litter box as the wee will go through it. you can just get a cheap litter tray. Yesterdays news is a litter especially made for rabbits.. Put newspaper down and place some litter on top and a bit of timothy hay. Rabbits like to chew while going to the toilet. You can get her to use it by putting any poops in there and any time she wees put anything she wees on in there too.



You will need to brush her hair everyday to make it nice and neat. Also get nail clippers as rabbits need to have their nails trimmed every few months. Lionheads are fully grown at six months.



There are many many rabbit web sites you can look at. Here are a few:



http://www.fuzzy-rabbit.com/



http://www.myhouserabbit.com/



http://www.rabbit.org/care/living-with-a-house-rabbit.html



I hope I have helped you.

Answer 2

I can only help with a few things. Rabbits can eat almost any vegetable. Look up almost any website & there are some that will tell which is best & which to give only occasionally. I used to have a good list when I had a rabbit. If you can't find a list, a vet or book specifically for your type bunny should help. Some things like head lettuce have no nutritional value.



As far as a clean cage, depends on the size but as often as possible is best. If you can remove some wet spots and dropping between cleaning, that helps too. Don't use any chemicals unless it is something from the pet store. I always used mostly water with a little peroxide and rinse thoroughly.



For toys, a toilet paper roll or paper towel roll is something, just be careful of the glue as it can be harmful. The same with any boxes or cardboard. Paint on anything (walls, molding, boxes, magazines for example) can be toxic. Rabbits will chew anything so be aware of that.They like cords, wall moldings, furniture, etc which are all potentially dangerous .There should be toys available to buy.



To use a shoe box as a litter box would get soggy and smelly quick and the bunny will chew on it too. You can buy one specifically for the bunny at a pet store. Or maybe you can check out the one there & you may have something similar at home you can use (cheaper).



Hopefully the bedding you use is paper, not cedar or aspen or corn cobs. The paper seems way more expensive but lasts longer. Most of the scented wood can cause resperitory problems



To pick up bunny use two hands. Put one underneath and one on top to secure. You will get used to what makes you both feel secure.



As for the hair, you should brush it often starting right away so she gest used to it. Don't pull hard. Every day or even more may be need to prevent tangles.



I'm about of info but the web sites and books should be able to help with most of your concerns. Good luck & enjoy your new bunny.

Answer 3

Experienced answer: I breed pet rabbits as a hobby. 1. Should you have more than one rabbit? Because I'm only planning to get one... I'm only really allowed to get one.. Well, its nice if you can have two, because they like company, but as long as you spend time with it and provide entertainment, you'll be okay with one. 2. How do you train them to pee in the litter box, and if I put a fleece blanket in it's cage for a bedding.. will it get messed up quick? I'm sorry, I have no idea. I just always either A. Brought them pretrained B. Found them homes when they were still young enough for a mistake to be 'cute' 3. do they ever thump you, does it hurt? Once or twice, and no. 4. When they bite does it hurt? Occasionally. Like a little scratch, but with the teeth, so not too painful. :) 5. I know they don't like being carried, but can I set the bunny on my lap? or will it run away.. A tame rabbit will just sit there and allow its self to be stroked, but I'd do it someplace where ou can catch them easily again for the first few times... 6. If I adopt, I will still have to go through the taming process right? Unless its already tame, you will need to tame it. Good luck with your new pet.

Answer 4

omg my parents did the same thing! but i was begging for a bunny then they surprised me. but you really need to get a book! like a barron book about rabbits or an animal planet book about rabbits it's very helpful it has all the information you want to know. i've had my bunny for almost a year and he's already potty trained but it didn't take that long only like about 3 weeks. btw u can google lots of places that have what u want to know :) but u REALLY need to get a book on it.





btw i potty trained my bunny by just putting his litter book in his cage in the corner ONLY and he really taught him self. good luck :) congrats too

Answer 5

this website might help

http://www.allearssac.org/BasicCare.html