How to Care for a Netherland Dwarf Bunny
Also known as the "European Pole," the Netherland dwarf bunny is a popular show rabbit in the United States and also makes an excellent pet. These small, friendly, gentle rabbits require proper care and feeding to remain healthy and happy.
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Things You'll Need
- Rabbit cage or hutch
- Litter pan
- Organic litter
- Straw
- Wood shavings
- Water bottle
- Hay rack
- Heavy ceramic dish
- Grass hay
- Portable dog pen
Instructions
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Set up your rabbit hutch. A smaller hutch or cage is suitable for Netherland dwarf rabbits as they reach only about 2 lbs. fully grown. Wire cages are often preferred because they are easy to clean. Rabbits may chew wooden hutches and wood is harder to clean and can attract parasites. Be sure the hutch or cage is large enough for your rabbit to stand up on its hind legs without hitting its head and has room for nesting, food bowls and a litter pan. Place cage or hutch out of drafts and direct sunlight, in a cool, low humidity, well-ventilated area.
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Place wood shavings on the floor of the cage or hutch and spread a layer of straw over the shavings for bedding. Change bedding at least once a week. Wash the cage thoroughly with hot water at least once a week.
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Place a litter tray in a corner of the hutch. Fill the litter tray with organic litter.
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Attach a water bottle to the cage or hutch. Clean and refill the water bottle daily to provide fresh, clean water.
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Feed your bunny grass hay. Hay helps the bunny's digestion and promotes healthy chewing to properly wear teeth and keep them from chewing inappropriate materials such as the hutch and your furniture. Grass hay such as timothy, oat, rye, barley or meadow and Bermuda grasses are best. Alfalfa hay mixes may be offered occasionally, but are too high in protein and calories to be used as a regular diet. It's best to serve hay in a hay rack to keep it off the cage floor and clean.
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Add greens such as romaine lettuce, swiss chard, mustard greens, dandelion greens, bok choy, kale, cabbage, brussel sprouts, water cress, carrot and beet tops to the rabbit's diet. Feed one packed cup of greens a day for every 2 lbs. of body weight in a heavy ceramic dish. If the rabbit shows signs of diarrhea, cut back on greens and add back gradually until the bunny gets used to them.
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Offer flowers, fruits and vegetables sparingly. Some fruits suitable for Netherland dwarf bunnies include apples, pears, peaches, bell peppers, carrots, squash, bean sprouts, strawberries, blueberries, raspberries and blackberries. Flowers may also be offered including roses, pansies, and snap dragons. Feed the bunny no more than 2 tbsp. a day of these foods per every 2 lbs. of body weight. Remove all leftover fresh food at the end of the day. Clean food bowls with hot water at least once a week.
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Exercise your bunny. A portable dog pen can be used as a confined exercise area for rabbits. If you allow your rabbit to run free in the house, be sure to rabbit-proof, blocking access to electrical cords, escape routes and toxic materials. You can litter box train your rabbit if it's allowed to roam inside. Use organic, pellet litter that is non-toxic and digestible in case the bunny nibbles on his litter.
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Tips & Warnings
Rabbits housed outdoors need a shelter that protects them from heat, cold, and rain and is secure from predators.
Rabbits are highly susceptible to heat stroke. A plastic bottle filled with frozen water can help keep a rabbit cool in higher temperatures, but if temperatures reach the high 80s, they can quickly become over-heated and die.
Eighty-five percent of adult female rabbits die of reproductive cancers if they are not neutered.
Commercial rabbit pellets are loaded with concentrated nutrition to promote rapid growth but have been found to be too high in protein, have too many calories, and not enough indigestible fiber for pet rabbits, according to Animal World. Feed rabbit pellets only when necessary.
References
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