Bunny Care
Bunny care is very important. See below for guidance.
Cage/Enclosure
Ideally rabbits need about 12 square feet. This is so they can run and jump, have an area to use the bathroom that is away from their rest/play/food area.
There are many options out there. Most people are using hutches and small penned in areas for outdoor play.
Rabbits are versatile and can be kept inside or outside. However, in the event of harsh weather conditions it is best to bring bunnies indoors.
You can use a variety of bedding/liners for your bunny area/cage. Cedar/pine shavings or chips are great. Soft small pet bedding is good too and absorbent, but not great to cover a large area. For outdoor areas- artificial grass can be a nice option to keep the area dry and help prevent digging.
If you are planning to keep your bunny indoors litter training is a great option as well. Bunnies are similar to cats in a lot of ways and bathroom habits are one of them. Bunnies like to use the bathroom in one area, and litter training can be done.
Bunny feed/water
Many people believe that bunnies only need lettuce and carrots to eat. This could not be further from the truth. While these make good treats, they should not be given to bunnies as their main diet. Bunnies need and timothy hay for their primary source of nourishment. They also really like clover and feed pellets. Lettuce, carrots, strawberries, apples etc are to be given sparingly as treats. You can also buy bunny treats online or in stores.
Fresh water should be given daily in a bowl or in small pet water bottle.
Bunny enrichment
Bunnies enjoy playing, hiding, chewing, and sometimes digging. Having things for your bunny to do is key to ensuring your bunny is healthy and thriving. They love tunnels, chew toys, and things to hop on and off. They love hide-outs where they can feel safe. If yo u have an indoor bunny it is a great idea to give them time outside. There are even special bunny leashes you can buy if you have a bunny that will cooperate with it.
Bunnies are also very social animals. So, if you are getting just one bunny make sure you are giving it extra cuddles each day. If you are getting more than one bunny, make sure you spay/neuter them.
Many bunnies also enjoy being brushed. This is a great opportunity for owners to bond with their bunnies. It is a good idea to brush your bunny (especially lion heads), because certain breeds can get tangled, matted hair
Precautions
As with any pet there are things you want to make sure you are aware of before taking on the responsibility of owning a bunny.
Spay and neuter. It is very important to spay/neuter your bunny. Even if they are the only bunny you own. If a bunny is not spayed/neutered, they may take on the habit of "marking". I have had some who do and some who don't. Regardless, this makes a huge mess and can be avoided. If your bunny is an outdoor bunny you don't want to take any chances of it accidentally being bred by a wild bunny. This can happen, because when a female bunny is in heat it will attract males. If you have a male, it may sense a wild female bunny in heat and become an escape artist to get to her.
If you get more than one bunny you obviously want to spay/neuter to prevent unwanted pregnancy. Also, bunnies of the same sex can become aggressive towards one another if left intact. So, it is crucial to spay/neuter if you are getting more than one bunny regardless of sex.
Bunnies are typically pretty healthy. They can live up to 10+ years. The main health problem seen in bunnies are dental related. Bunnies' teeth continue to grow in length. They need to chew and gnaw on things to keep them in proper condition. So, providing them with chew toys is very important in preventing a trip to the vet.
