Just been given a rabbit! Guidance needed please>

chatbug

Do not think this has been mentioned but be on the look out for flystrike its can be a killer.

kayjay1809

Hiya, if you haven't already joined, Rabbits United is the best rabbit forum around http://forums.rabbitrehome.org.uk/index.php

Congrats on your new bunny friend :j

Tina20

I used to have tons of rabbits, love the things!

Lots and lots of hay
If the run is on grass but your don't want burrowing, place wire as a floor of the run over the grass so bunny can nibble grass but can't dig.
Don't worry if she eats her own poop, that's normal
They don't like being suddenly picked up and raised to a height, so try to get on the floor with them for cuddles or playtime.
The nails can be very sharp, so wear long sleeves.
No iceberg lettuce, but romaine lettuce is ok.

Enjoy your bun!

rosie383

Thanks again for all the help. We are loving our bunny! I covered a couple of cushions with plastic and the kids will happily sit in the run with her for hours!!! She loves jumping over their legs and going under them like a wee bridge. She is getting so much attention and love. The kids say its like having their own open farm!!!
Our market stall guy from whom we get our fruit and veg gave us a biiiig bag of broken carrots and apples. he says he will put aside a bag every day rather than throwing the stuff away so anything we don't use will go to the neighbours for their guinea pigs and rabbits>

reehsetin

Be careful with how much fruit and sugary veg they get, carrots aren't very healthy for them very sugary, use fruit and carrots as an occasional treat
Ours get lots of hay, grass and celery, peppers and herbs

rosie383

reehsetin wrote: »

Be careful with how much fruit and sugary veg they get, carrots aren't very healthy for them very sugary, use fruit and carrots as an occasional treat
Ours get lots of hay, grass and celery, peppers and herbs

Thanks to the advice on here, we are now giving her unlimited hay, just an eggcup full of pellets and only a little bit of carrot or apple. That's why we are giving the excess fruit and veg to the neighbours for their various animals.

larmy16

Put money aside for vets bills. Rabbits can be very costly. All the injections and then the vets want to file their teeth down, costs of anasthetics etc. Be prepared for conflicting advice from the vets. Some say only hay and pellets, others say greens are fine.

Some say carrots good for their teeth, others say they are bad for them.

I took a couple of rabbits thinking I was helping give them a good home. Worst mistake I ever made. Has cost me a fortune and they hate being petted. Very boring pets in my opinion. What with injections, speying, getting a run built, it has cost me in the region of £1,000 and that;s not including food, hay etc.

I can't even rehome them as no way would they be good around kids. One of them is like a little dog, growling.

I always advise parents to get a guinea pig. Much less complicated.

I can see though that having a house rabbit must be much more rewarding.

Kavanne

rosie383 wrote: »

Thanks to the advice on here, we are now giving her unlimited hay, just an eggcup full of pellets and only a little bit of carrot or apple. That's why we are giving the excess fruit and veg to the neighbours for their various animals.

Hey, sounds good so far!

I'd recommend getting insurance for your bunny and also neutering as well. Your bun will be happier and with girl buns they are very likely to get uterine cancer and die prematurely if they are not spayed.

Also, as she is an only bun outside, she needs lots to keep her entertained and regular human interaction (daily). I would say consider rescuing a neutered male from a rescue to keep her company, as this is the best way to ensure her wellbeing Plus you'll be rescuing a bun without a home.

I love websites like thehayexperts.co.uk, zooplus.co.uk and petplanet.co.uk for toys, treats, hay and food.

oldandhappy

You should also ask if she is vaccinated against Myxi and VHD, as all rabbits should have annual vaccinations against these (rabbits in some areas will need six monthly myxi jabs, your local vet will be able to advise on this)this quote from an earlier post....

There seems quite a few cases of Myxi around here right now so I just needed to remind about how important Vaccinations are for Rabbits. Dianne

Kavanne

oldandhappy wrote: »

You should also ask if she is vaccinated against Myxi and VHD, as all rabbits should have annual vaccinations against these (rabbits in some areas will need six monthly myxi jabs, your local vet will be able to advise on this)this quote from an earlier post....

There seems quite a few cases of Myxi around here right now so I just needed to remind about how important Vaccinations are for Rabbits. Dianne

There's now a dual myxi/VHD vacc which only needs to be done annually