How to Care for Pet Bunnies

Bunnies make wonderful companion pets. They are loving and sociable and at the same time can occupy themselves when their owners are gone at work or at school. Caring for your pet bunny is not difficult but you need to know some important points in order to provide a healthy environment and keep your bunny safe. Never leave your bunny loose when unsupervised because he will by nature chew on anything he finds and can get do a lot of damage or hurt himself badly. Here are some tips for the proper care of your pet bunny.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Rabbit cage Water dish Food dish Pin brush or comb Nail clippers

Housing, Care, and Supplies For The Care Of Your Pet Bunny

1. 

   Keep your bunny in sight at all times when she's loose around the house and when you are not in the room put her in her house. A simple heavy gauge wire cage made specifically for rabbits is best for indoor use. They are easy to keep clean and have removable bottom drop trays to allow disposal of waste matter without disturbing the inside of your bunny's home.

2. 

   Provide fresh food and water every day for your bunny. Commercially prepared rabbit pellets make a fantastic daily food. Offer their daily food pellets in a heavy crock or metal hanging container made for rabbits to avoid spilling. Water can be provided in a heavy crock as well but rabbits also get the hang of drinking from a water bottle hung on the side of the cage. Hanging a water bottle for your bunny helps keep his water fresher and cleaner. You should supplement the pellets with small portions of hay that you can buy in small cube packages, and small chunks of fresh fruit and vegetables. Rabbits love carrots, lettuce, cucumbers, radishes, and just about anything else you would normally put on a salad. Spinach and other leafy greens are great for your bunny in small portions as well. Too many green vegetables can cause diarrhea and should be avoided. A handful of fresh clipped grass a few times a week is an extra treat for your bunny as long as it is not treated with insecticides or other chemicals.

3. 

   You should groom long-haired rabbits with a pin brush or large-toothed comb daily. Angoras require extra care to prevent tangling. Most rabbit breeds are short-haired and do not require as much brushing. You will need a soft damp cloth for your short-haired rabbit that you can gently stroke over her coat to groom her. You should trim her nails weekly with a regular human nail clipper. Bunny teeth grow continuously and if they do not have enough to chew on that will help them wear them down they get overgrown. You will need to trim them when necessary as well to allow for proper eating. If you are uncomfortable with trimming nails or teeth the first few times you should seek the help of your local veterinarian until you get the hang of it.

4. 

   Plan on spending several hours a day playing with your bunny. She will thrive on attention and lay in your arms for hours to be petted, or entertain you with her antics around the room.

5. 

   Make a small outdoor play area for your bunny making sure to cover the bottom with wire so he cannot escape, and provide a wire covered top to keep him in and predators out. A large wire cage will work if you want something fast and easy for him to play in. You can also keep your pet bunny's house outside and the same type of housing used indoors is good for an outdoor rabbit hutch except that you must provide solid covering over the top and sides to prevent drafts and protect him from the elements.

Resources

• Drs Foster & Smith Rabbit Supplies