Everything to Know Before Buying a Bunny
So you’re thinking about getting bunny. Well I don’t blame you, with their little bunny faces and soft fur, they are irresistibly adorable.
The first purchase I ever made in my life (I was 7) was buying myself a pet bunny with my birthday money. And that wasn’t the last bunny I ever owned either.
Rabbits are friendly, curious, quiet and can make amazing house pets. There is so much to know when planning for a bunny, so let’s get into it!
Rabbits are Highly Intelligent:
Rabbits are highly intelligent and just like a cat or a dog, rabbits will recognize their owners by voice or sight. You can teach a bunny to recognize their names and come to you when called.
Rabbits also have a very good memory: they don’t forget negative experiences and emotions easily. So try not to hurt your rabbits feelings.
And here’s some good news for you! Rabbits can commonly be litter box trained, which makes their cage and play areas much cleaner. It’s actually very easy to do. Simply scoop their poop into the litter box, and place them inside. Eventually, they will get the idea that this is where the poop goes.
How Rabbits Communicate:
There are also many ways that your rabbit will communicate with you. Here are some examples of rabbit behaviors that you should look out for:
Thumping: You will know it when you hear it. This is the way rabbits communicate danger to other rabbits. It usually means they have heard or seen something they believe could be harmful. They will also do this if they are unhappy about something.
Teeth Grinding: Gentle, soft grinding is basically the same as a cat purring. This means your rabbit is content and happy. On the other hand, loud teeth grinding is a sign of pain or discomfort, and your rabbit will often also be tense or hunched up when if this is the case.
Nudge: If your rabbit is nudging you with their nose, they want some form of attention. They may want to play, a treat, or to be petted. Rabbits might also push, or toss things around as a form of play, or as a territorial behavior.
Twisting and Kicking their Back Legs: This is called a Binky. They may also dart around quickly in short bursts. When rabbits do this, it’s a sign that they’re feeling great. Rabbits use the this to communicate that they are feeling very happy, relaxed and safe.
Licking: Licking is a way bunnies groom each other. A bunny that licks you have fully accepted you and is showing you affection. If you have two rabbits, you may see them lick each other, and this is a sign of a bond.
Rabbits Need Lots of Space:
Even though your rabbit is small, they actually need much more space than you may realize to stay happy and healthy.
A rabbit should never be completely confined to a cage. Rabbits need at minimum 3-5 hours of exercise daily outside the cage. They are naturally curious and enjoy opportunities to explore. Your rabbit should have a designated exercise area. You can use fencing panels and tie or pin them together, puppy play pens, and rubber floor mats to make a nice little enclosure for you rabbit. I’ve linked a few things that I’ve found helpful:
The bigger the cage, the better! They should have a space no smaller than 4 feet long, 2 feet wide, and 2 feet tall.
Since they are prey animals, they need a place they can hide to feel secure. This can be a small cardboard box or a rabbit house.
They Need a Very Specific Diet:
Rabbit digestive systems are fairly complex. Your Rabbits diet should be about 80% timothy hay, and they should have unlimited access at all times. Their teeth never stop growing and this constant chewing is important for keeping their teeth worn down. They will also eat a small amount of pellets as well as leafy greens.
Rabbits can have treats every so often, such as fruit or dried fruit, carrots or other rabbit safe veggies. Be cautious though, as too many treats can cause digestive upset.
If you see your rabbit eating its own droppings, rest assured this is actually completely normal and very important for your rabbit’s health.
They Need to Feel Safe:
As I mentioned, in the wild, rabbits are a prey species. They are very aware of their surroundings — always on the alert for predators or any change to their environment.
Because of this, they don’t typically like to be held. If you do hold your rabbit, it is important to support their back end. Their back legs are so strong that they can kick so hard that they break their own back.
When your rabbit comes to you for attention, you will know it is becoming comfortable and you can begin picking it up and allowing it playtime outside the cage.
Loud noises can also be very stressful and even dangerous for your rabbit. It is possible for a rabbit to die of fright. Loud sounds, can lead to a heart attack and put a rabbit into shock, causing sudden death.
If and when you first get your rabbit, give them a chance to get used to their new surroundings. Set up its cage in a quiet, low-traffic area. Talk quietly to the rabbit and pet him or her gently. Forcing your attention on your rabbit will only cause stress and make it more difficult for it to get used to its new home.
They are Active in the Morning and Evening:
Rabbits are most active in the morning and evening. It’s a good idea to consider this schedule when you are deciding where to place your rabbits living quarters. If you are not an early riser, and don’t prefer to get up at dawn, I would suggest NOT keeping your bunny in your bedroom. Additionally, rabbits will frequently nap throughout the day and night, so these aren’t the best time to interact with them.
They Will Chew EVERYTHING:
Bunnies will chew literally anything and everything they can find. And of course, this means they will chew things they shouldn’t, like cords and baseboards. In the wild rabbits can chew through tree roots to make their burrows.
So, make sure to give your rabbit safe and fun chewing alternatives. As I mentioned earlier, Rabbits’ teeth grow continuously throughout their lives. Therefore, it takes a lot of daily chewing and gnawing to keep them worn down to usable lengths. There are things you can do, like buying cord protectors and adding velcro hooks to keep cords and plants our of reach.
Keep your rabbit busy with things they CAN chew on. should be provided with a variety of toys and chewing material to provide enrichment. They tend to like things that move around, and make noise. Toys your rabbit will love include untreated wooden blocks, branches, baskets, toilet paper roll, cardboard, balls, cups, and more.
Rabbits are Highly Social:
Rabbits are often deeply emotional and crave attention and companionship. They are social animals and aside from letting them run around outside their cage every day, they are going to want YOUR attention too. In the wild, rabbits live in groups and domestic rabbits will do best when kept in pairs. Either of two females, or 1 female and a neutered male, (2 males may fight).
Most pet rabbits need their nails trimmed every 4-6 weeks. Trim only the sharpest part of the nail, being careful not to cut into the quick. If this is something you don’t think you can do, then you’ve got to commit to bringing your rabbit to a groomer once a month to have their nails cut.
Additionally, long haired rabbits should be brushed daily, while short hair rabbits can be brushed once per week. And, you’re going to benefit from this too as this will help prevent the soft bunny hair from floating around your house and keep shedding down.
Get them Neutered and Spayed:
It’s beneficial to spay or neuter your rabbit around 4-6mo of age. This will help fix most behavioral issues. This will also help them be live healthier and live longer lives. Most rabbits live 7-10 years.
They are Affordable to Keep:
Overall Bunnies are pretty affordable pets. Your main expenses are going to come from their bedding, hay, pellets and the fresh greens they eat daily. There are of course, toys and vet bills to account for, but in the grand scheme of pets, bunnies likely won’t break the banks. On average rabbits cost their owners between $600-$1000 per year.
Bunny Shopping List:
If you’re like me, you just want a checklist of all the things you’re gonna need for you new family member. So I’ve got you covered with a master list of all the bunny necessities.
1. Size Appropriate Cage: Here are a few that I recommend. Deluxe XL Rabbit Cage, Rabbit Hutch
2. Play Pen or Fencing: Indoor/Outdoor Portable Fence
3. Rubber Mat: Washable Rubber Playpen Mat
4. Bedding: Clean & Cozy White Bedding
5. Timothy Hay: All Natural Timothy Hay
6. Pellets: All Natural Rabbit Pellets
7. Treats: Baked Fruit Treats
8. Toys: Assorted Rabbit Toys
9. Litter Box: Small Animal Litter Pan
10. Water Bottle or Bowl: No Drip Water Bottle or Snap In Stainless Bowl
11. Food Dish: Snap In Stainless Bowl or Hay Feeder/Food Dish Combo
12. Hay Rack: Hay Feeder
13. Nail Trimmer: Stainless Steel Nail Trimmer
14. Brush: Grooming Brush
15. Cord Protectors: Chew Proof Cord Protector
I hope you’ve learned a little something, and at the very least got to see a few cute bunny pics. If you have a rabbit, or if you are thinking of getting on leave a comment below! I would love to share in your love for this little furballs.
