Guide to Owning a Rabbit

The ideal tip when owning a rabbit is to buy a good rabbit book.

Make sure your rabbit has a hutch to go home to, which should be at least 4ft x 2ft depth which is an ideal size for a rabbit (obviously the bigger hutch the better). Hutch size minimum if keeping 2 rabbits is preferably 5-6ft X 2ft.

Ensure that your rabbit has same feed that they have been reared on as a change in the diet can cause tummy upsets and stress (if you want to change the food gradually introduce new food with food supplied and do this over a period of a few weeks or so). Fresh water should be changed daily and bottles cleaned out regularly. Food and water must be given every day. Give proportions of food as directed and do not overfeed.

Clean them out at least twice a week (or more if possible) to keep away diseases such as fly strike (leaflet enclosed) VHD and myxomatosis etc and disinfect hutch at least once a week. Myxomatosis injection is advised, VHD is not so common ask your vet to see if there have been any recent cases in your area (if there has been its advisable to have vaccine done).

If your rabbit has been rung, check regularly for tightness, if so remove the ring. If you wish to take to your rabbit show, the ring must stay on.

Keep a close eye on nails if they get too long get a good pair of nail clippers or ask you vet to do it.

The ideal bedding to use is wood shaving, straw (especially for winter and rabbits living outside) and a handful of hay twice daily (timothy hay is the best).

Small amounts of green, carrot etc should be fed at 4 months (they are use to it daily) too much may cause tummy upset or diarrhoea which can lead to fly strike in the summer months. It is advisable when bunny is an adult that you don’t given too much green, carrot is better. Although they love celery, broccolli, curly kale and apple too. A small amount of readigrass can be fed to babies daily as an extra. All rabbit enjoy crackers as a treat. Most rabbit foods come with some form of rabbit pellets which is essential to a rabbits diet.