Rabbit Care Sheet

Feeding

I will supply you an amount of feed to help too settle the rabbit into its new home.   I suggest that you feed only the food provided for a few days then add porridge oats and use a good quality rabbit food    Add the oats and what ever mix you choose too feed a little bit at a time. This gives the rabbit chance to get used to the change in food slowly and avoids upsetting the stomach.

I have never used fresh 'green' food of any kind ( including grass ) to supplement the rabbit's diet.   If you wish to feed your rabbit on fresh food, please remember to give a little at a time this will avoid the 'runs'.    Always err on the side of caution when introducing new things to a rabbit.     Please be very careful when adding new things to the diet.

Water is essential and must always be available !

Bedding

I use a product called Bed-Down as well as wood shavings as bedding for all my rabbits.   Bed-Down is a mixture of wood shaving and hay and straw.   If you can't find a local supplier I would contact local saddlers and riding stables they will usually sell shaving bales at reasonable prices.   It is essential that the bedding is kept dry as damp and drafts are fatal to rabbits.   If your hutch has a sleeping compartment you can use hay and/or straw as a bedding material.

VACCINATIONS

There are vaccinations available to give your rabbit protection against VHD and myxomatosis.   Personally I do not vaccinate my rabbits.   The cost of vaccination is extortionate.   Here in the UK we are forced to pay a very high price for what costs a few pence on the Continent.   If you want to have the rabbit vaccinated that is OK, as it is down to your personal choice. All I ask is that you use a good Vet and wait until the rabbit is a little older before giving the injections.

GENERAL CARE OF THE RABBIT

Please allow the rabbit several days to settle into its new home before allowing a lot of interaction with unfamiliar humans.   The jo urney from here to your home is, in rabbit miles, as far as to the Moon and back.   The rabbit has encountered strange smells, sounds and is in need of a rest period to allow adjustment to its new surroundings.

The rabbit had very sharp points on its claws and as yet they are too small to trim.   I usually use an emery board/nail file just too rub the points down.   When the rabbit is older, say six months or so, you will be able to trim the nails. Use sharp cutters and cut the nail about 1/8 of an inch above the quick.   Please be careful, and if you do not feel confident enough to cut the nails, ask a Vet, or another rabbit breeder/ keeper to show you how.

Rabbits have fur round their bottoms!   When you are interacting with the rabbit please take a quick look to see that the rear end is clean and does not have 'pooh' stuck to it. If there is any sign of 'pooh' it will need to be cleaned off. (One of the joys of rabbit keeping!)

Please remember that your rabbit is a living creature, and deserves respect and consideration.    It can feel pain, hunger, thirst and can be frightened by unfamiliar things and noises.  

While the rabbit is cute and cuddly please do not allow over enthusiastic humans (large or small) to over-handle him, as this could cause the rabbit stress and anxiety .