Bunny Care
Read below for important information on how to care for your rabbit.
Food & Water
Rabbits are herbivores. Plus, their teeth continuously grow, so they need a diet that will naturally help to wear down the teeth.
Provide your rabbit with unlimited amounts of grass hay, such as timothy hay, each day. You can simply pile hay in the enclosure or use a feeder called a hopper. Make sure there is always some hay available for the rabbit as it is 80% of their diet.
you can offer your rabbit small quantities of vegetables and fruit every once in a while as a treat but first always see if its safe before feeding any to your rabbit by looking it up. Fresh foods can simply be placed on the enclosure floor or in a small dish, remove any uneaten fresh foods after a few hours to prevent spoilage. Consult your vet for the best quantity and variety to feed for your rabbit.
Furthermore, feed a limited about of rabbit pellets. Too many pellets can result in digestive issues and obesity. So be sure to discuss a feeding plan with your vet. Put a day’s supply of pellets in a small ceramic bowl in the enclosure. Dispose of any uneaten pellets after 24 hours before providing the next day’s portion.
Finally, make sure your rabbit always has access to fresh water. You can either use a ceramic water dish or a bottle. Just make sure the bottle is always functional and that your rabbit knows how to drink from it. Refresh the water daily and be sure to clean their dishes so that no mold or bacteria will grow.
Here at hawaii rabbity we sell 6lb bags of organic Timothy hay that is about a months supply for one bunny. You must be located on oahu to buy from us.
Message us directly to order a bag and for pricing. Free delivery.
Grooming your Rabbit
LIONHEADS
Lionheads have roughly 2 inches of fur around their neck with a slightly shorter coat overall. It’s a soft, thick coat that needs regular grooming.
Brush at least a couple times per week. Give extra attention to the longer fur to prevent uncomfortable knots and mats. Lionheads also go through heavier shedding periods often in the spring and fall when you’ll likely have to brush more regularly to keep up with the loose fur.
HOLLAND LOPS
Holland Lops have short hair, so their grooming requirements are fairly simple. Though Holland Lops have short hair it does very easily get tangled and gets uncomfortable nots in it easily. It is best to brush them a few times a week. A grooming glove is the most gentle option for brushing. When Holland Lops start to molt they need daily brushing.
ALL RABBITS
In terms of other grooming.
You’ll often have to trim a rabbit’s nails, as they won’t naturally wear them down. Your vet can show you how to properly do a nail trim. Holland Lops and Lionheads are small and therefore delicate, it is important to be careful when handling and grooming them. All pet rabbits do not require bathing, but you can spot-clean their coat as necessary by gently rubbing it with a damp cloth. Rabbits can catch colds very easily when wet so if you do bathe your rabbit you must be very carful as they don't get cold or get water up their nose or ears.
Housing
As a general rule, a cage for small rabbit breeds like the lionheads and holland lops should be at least 18 by 24 inches and tall enough for the rabbit to stretch fully upright on its hind legs. However, bigger is always better, and the cage size must be increased for multiple rabbits.
Within the enclosure, include food and water dishes, toys, and a shelf onto which your rabbit can hop for exercise. You also can include tunnels and solid-floor ramps in cages that have multiple levels. Just make sure there’s enough room for the rabbit to fully stretch out with its back legs extended on the floor of the enclosure.
When you allow your rabbit to roam outside of its enclosure, make sure the area is fully rabbit-proofed. Rabbits are known to chew on electrical cords and other potentially hazardous items at ground level.
The floor of the enclosure should be nonslip. Many owners use washable carpeting to add some softness for their rabbit. Also, you can put down some straw for your rabbit to relax on. In the litter box, use dye-free paper litter; never use clumping litter. Clean the litter box at least every other day, and scrub everything in the enclosure weekly with mild soap and water.
Exercise
A minimum of two hours per day for your rabbit to exercise outside of its enclosure is ideal. Physical activity is essential to keep a rabbit fit and prevent health issues, such as obesity. Always supervise a rabbit outside of its enclosure. To encourage your rabbit to move around, make sure to offer toys, such as treat puzzles, balls, and tunnels.
Litter Box Training
Providing a litter box makes cleaning the enclosure much easier, and it keeps your house sanitary when your rabbit is allowed to roam. Until your rabbit is litter trained, it’s best to confine them to a small area where there’s always a litter box nearby.
Rabbits naturally tend to pick a spot to use as their bathroom. So place the litter box in that spot in the enclosure to encourage them to use it. Also, add some hay in the litter box to entice them to get in. When you see them eliminating in the box, immediately offer a treat to reinforce the behavior.
Replace the hay daily to keep it sanitary, and replace the litter every couple of days. Rabbits don’t like using dirty litter boxes. In addition, rabbits that aren’t spayed or neutered are likely to relieve themselves outside of the litter box to mark their territory.
Spay or Neuter
Your bunny should be neutered if he is a male or spayed if she is a female when he or she is 4 to 6 months of age. This stops unwanted litters if you have two rabbits of the opposite sex, plus stops bad behaviors like aggression or urine spraying. It also eliminates reproductive system cancer and infections.
(If you are want to know what to expect price wise you can message me and I will give you all the info I have received on the vets spay/neuter prices on oahu)
