Bunny Care Sheet from M.O.B Rabbitry
About your bunny: Daily feeding/care
At M.O.B., we house bunnies outside, inside, and on the porch! Their food consists of "pellets",
(we feed MannaPRO exclusively), forage or hay and treats. Forage is
considered to be anything green and natural that is harvested as food. For example, fresh grasses, dandelions, kudzu and other weeds. We
often pick these daily
at M.O.B and divide them between bunnies. We do
not feed "table food," as bunnies have sensitive tummies. If you do a
treats should be given only a few times a week and consist of an apple slice or sweet
potato slice, something small, and never before 6 months old. We feed pellets, forage, hay and Oats daily. Oats are their absolute favorite! (Just dry Quaker Oats)
Your bunny was kept with its mother until 5-6 weeks before weaning
to give it the most health and nutritional needs. Please note: Your bunny needs more than just a lil bowl of pellets
everyday. Rabbits do not have the same digestive system as other animals. They
are UNABLE to pass "gas" and therefore must have greens(forage) or
hay in their diet DAILY. Rabbits can die from improper diet because
they become so bloated from the gases trapped inside of them. Timothy hay can be purchased at any pet store or at a feed supply
store in large bales and inexpensively too. I recommend Tractor
Supply for much cheaper prices and better quality food for your
pets/livestock. For example, a 25 lb bag of quality feed there is 9.99,
50 lbs for 17.99,&compressed bale 50lb hay 15-19.99!
* Your bunny is used to a hanging water bottle, NOT A DISH. Fun Facts:
Your bunny will pick one corner of his/her cage and decide that is his
potty corner! Because of this indoor bunnies can be "litter box trained"
Look online for more information about this. It takes some time, but
can be done. Putting timothy hay near your bunny's "potty spot" will
encourage him to use only that spot. Your bunny is mischievous and will explore everything! Have fun
watching and joining in! Indoors, beware of power cords! Bunnies love toys like kitty-cat "jingle bell" balls, dangly bird toys, and
sticks and pine cones. Bunny teeth never stop growing and they need wood to chew on. Sticks from cedar and pine trees are great for this...and free! They will
"shred" a pine cone in a couple of days too! NO-NOs!(and tips)
*Never give your bunny LETTUCE of any kind...it can cause them
extreme digestive discomfort and lead to a messy/painful death. Other greens like collards, spinach and turnips are ok, introduce slowly. Remember, moderation...and grass picked from your yard is so much better!
*Do not put male and female rabbits together that are over two months old....UNLESS you want more bunnies in 30 days! (yes just 30 days from bred to birth)
*Keep your bunny out of extreme heat if outside, they need a shade
and a full bottle of water daily. Frozen water bottles (thick Gatorade
ones are great)will help them cool down in Alabama summers, but
always provide shade.
*Keep your bunny out of extreme cold/wet. They do have fur coats,
but they need a little wind-break in these conditions as well.
*Indoor cages: If using bedding, please buy only Pine Shavings or the
recycled "fabric" type bedding. Cedar bedding is chemically treated and
can make bunnies quite sick.
*All Bedding should be changed a couple times a week.
*Your bunny's cage should be big enough for him to stretch up and out
and jump! Additional Notes:
*Dwarf breeds, like the Polish, are tiny and eat much less, keep them
monitored to make sure their food intake is consistent daily. Offer very
small treats, never whole carrots for example, only one slice, one
teaspoon of oats, nothing huge, their belly is smaller than the size of
their heads. Always give timothy Hay or grasses!
*Longhair, Angora rabbits or lionheads, need grooming at least twice weekly. Get a good cat/dog brush and sit patiently with the bunny, taking
breaks in between brushing. You may have to cut out matted spots
with your shears. Be very careful not to get too near skin. There
are many grooming videos on Youtube.
*Lops, Holland and Mini or mixes, may not fully "drop" their ears until
6 months of age. They may also have some control over one ear and
not the other. This is called helicopter ears and is adorable! If you have any questions, please feel free to text
*Minirex can get "sore hocks"(little scabs on feet) If they're on wire
bottom cage, please give them a rest mat or a wooden plank as well. M.O.B @ 334-589-9706
Thank you again, for choosing us and your adorable pet!
