Make sure your rabbit has fresh, clean water at all times. We feed our rabbits timothy/grass hay
on a free choice basis. Young rabbits under 6 months of age are offered an alfalfa/grass blend,
but once they are mature they need a lower protein hay. I also offer alfalfa cubes at all times.
Feed your rabbit fresh pellets. Do not constantly change brands. We feed Manna Pro Grow
pellets. I give 1 teaspoon of Calf Manna pellets and a teaspoon of black oil sunflower seeds
daily.
Wait until your rabbit is 6 months old before introducing treats. Although some younger rabbits
may do fine with treats, they can also cause a digestive imbalance resulting in sickness or even
death. Older rabbits deal better with changes and stresses. Excessive carbohydrates found in
fruits, grains, and some vegetables can stress a rabbit's system. I offer apples and carrots as
treats on a weekly basis.
No head lettuce, onions, refined sugar, corn, potatoes, green beans, rhubarb leaves, or flowers
grown from bulbs. Carrots are like candy bars to rabbits. Use sparingly and make the portion
small - either a small chunk or a baby carrot.
Clip your rabbit's nails beyond the quick. Cat clippers work well.
Your rabbit does not need vaccinations. Indeed, none are available for rabbits in the US.
Spaying eliminates the chance of certain reproductive cancers that unbred, unaltered does are
susceptible to. Neutering males helps with spraying and makes them smell better and reduces
sexual urges (yes, a male rabbit WILL mount your leg!).
Rabbits live between 7 and 12 years.
Never pick up a rabbit by the ears or scruff of the neck. Ears may be held firmly to secure your
rabbit, but the weight should rest in the other hand.
Diarrhea and not eating are serious problems for a rabbit. Consult a rabbit-savvy vet
immediately if your rabbit is not eating, drinking, or eliminating, or has watery stool.
A few clusters of solid waste, softer and smellier than the usual dry balls of fecal matter are
normal. If you see more than the occasional cluster, back off of treats (or pellets, if you are not
feeding pellets) and increase hay. Rabbits may be fed hay and water until the waste gets back
to normal. I also feed raspberry leaves and a pinch of dry rolled oats daily until the loose stools
have cleared up.
Heat will kill your rabbit much sooner than cold. Keep your rabbit cool, out of direct sunlight, out
of cold drafts, and dry at all times. Our rabbits are kept in a barn and are protected from sun
which will bleach their coats. They are kept draft free and out of the rain and snow. Rabbits can
tolerate cold weather if they have a draft free place stuffed with straw to burrow in. During
winter, our rabbits have a cage buddy to snuggle with. We strongly recommend keeping a pair
of rabbits for both companionship and warmth.
We make toys for our rabbits. Dented canning jar rings are great flip toys. Toilet paper and
paper towel tubes are fun. Cardboard boxes are great for chewing and destroying. We keep a
chunk of pine 2x4 board in each cage for chewing.
We use wire floored cages in our rabbitry. Care must be used to ensure rabbits are not getting
sores on their feet, so we include a sitting board in each cage to help relieve foot pressure.
Rabbits do not need baths under normal circumstances.
Excessive brushing can produce a thin coat.
Your rabbit recognizes you by your voice.
Care Sheet home Page
on a free choice basis. Young rabbits under 6 months of age are offered an alfalfa/grass blend,
but once they are mature they need a lower protein hay. I also offer alfalfa cubes at all times.
Feed your rabbit fresh pellets. Do not constantly change brands. We feed Manna Pro Grow
pellets. I give 1 teaspoon of Calf Manna pellets and a teaspoon of black oil sunflower seeds
daily.
Wait until your rabbit is 6 months old before introducing treats. Although some younger rabbits
may do fine with treats, they can also cause a digestive imbalance resulting in sickness or even
death. Older rabbits deal better with changes and stresses. Excessive carbohydrates found in
fruits, grains, and some vegetables can stress a rabbit's system. I offer apples and carrots as
treats on a weekly basis.
No head lettuce, onions, refined sugar, corn, potatoes, green beans, rhubarb leaves, or flowers
grown from bulbs. Carrots are like candy bars to rabbits. Use sparingly and make the portion
small - either a small chunk or a baby carrot.
Clip your rabbit's nails beyond the quick. Cat clippers work well.
Your rabbit does not need vaccinations. Indeed, none are available for rabbits in the US.
Spaying eliminates the chance of certain reproductive cancers that unbred, unaltered does are
susceptible to. Neutering males helps with spraying and makes them smell better and reduces
sexual urges (yes, a male rabbit WILL mount your leg!).
Rabbits live between 7 and 12 years.
Never pick up a rabbit by the ears or scruff of the neck. Ears may be held firmly to secure your
rabbit, but the weight should rest in the other hand.
Diarrhea and not eating are serious problems for a rabbit. Consult a rabbit-savvy vet
immediately if your rabbit is not eating, drinking, or eliminating, or has watery stool.
A few clusters of solid waste, softer and smellier than the usual dry balls of fecal matter are
normal. If you see more than the occasional cluster, back off of treats (or pellets, if you are not
feeding pellets) and increase hay. Rabbits may be fed hay and water until the waste gets back
to normal. I also feed raspberry leaves and a pinch of dry rolled oats daily until the loose stools
have cleared up.
Heat will kill your rabbit much sooner than cold. Keep your rabbit cool, out of direct sunlight, out
of cold drafts, and dry at all times. Our rabbits are kept in a barn and are protected from sun
which will bleach their coats. They are kept draft free and out of the rain and snow. Rabbits can
tolerate cold weather if they have a draft free place stuffed with straw to burrow in. During
winter, our rabbits have a cage buddy to snuggle with. We strongly recommend keeping a pair
of rabbits for both companionship and warmth.
We make toys for our rabbits. Dented canning jar rings are great flip toys. Toilet paper and
paper towel tubes are fun. Cardboard boxes are great for chewing and destroying. We keep a
chunk of pine 2x4 board in each cage for chewing.
We use wire floored cages in our rabbitry. Care must be used to ensure rabbits are not getting
sores on their feet, so we include a sitting board in each cage to help relieve foot pressure.
Rabbits do not need baths under normal circumstances.
Excessive brushing can produce a thin coat.
Your rabbit recognizes you by your voice.
Care Sheet home Page
| Rabbit Care Sheet We have kept rabbits for over 25 years, raising and breeding over 20 different pure breeds. We showed extensively in both fairs and ARBA sanctioned shows to National levels. We currently raise Lionheads, Dutch, Holland Lops, Mini Lops and Lionlops. Rabbits are delightful creatures! |