The Bunny Lover`s Complete Guide To House Rabbits
Contents
1. s condo must be large enough to hold his litter box water crock or bottle and toys and still have enough room for him to move around and stretch out e The cage condo entrance should be low enough to the floor so that your rabbit can hop in and out easily e A big wide door or lid on the top that lifts will make condo cleaning dramatically easier e Another method of housing a rabbit is to completely bunny proof a room and shut your bunny inside that room when you are away This summarized version of rabbit care is only a small basic part of your rabbit education All rights reserved May be distributed freely Editing or changing this document is expressly forbidden Please visit www thebunnyguy com to obtain your complete printed or digital copy of this book Making Your Home Safe for Your Bunny AKA Bunny Proofing e Bunny proofing is the act of making your home safe for your rabbit e The areas where your bunny stays plays and runs must be fully and carefully bunny proofed e The simplest places to bunny proof are bathrooms kitchens and hallways e Many rabbit lovers opt to give their rabbit the run of the house but it takes a real rabbit expert to completely bunny proof an entire home e Bunny proofing takes time and it can be an ongoing process of trial and error e Part of having a rabbit is understanding and accepting that rabbits can be very destructive at times e Lagomorphs can and will find all kinds o2. before you leave the office e Never skip or forget medications and treatments that have been prescribed e Never give your bunny any medicine especially antibiotics unless prescribed by your rabbit s doctor e Senior buns probably will end up seeing their vets more often than younger ones do e Senior buns should start seeing their vets at least once a year e Having a pet health insurance policy can help give you peace of mind during a stressful time e Pet care lines of credit are available from several companies This summarized version of rabbit care is only a small basic part of your rabbit education All rights reserved May be distributed freely Editing or changing this document is expressly forbidden Please visit www thebunnyguy com to obtain your complete printed or digital copy of this book Common Rabbit Health Issues e A common rabbit issue is obesity or being overweight which can shorten his life by half e You must check that your rabbit poops and eats every day to make sure he is healthy and normal e Any sudden change in eating habits weight poops in their litter boxes and or general well being must always be given immediate attention e If your rabbit suddenly stops eating for even twelve hours that qualifies as an emergency e Two of the most common rabbit ailments are gastrointestinal GD stasis also known as ileus and bloat gas e Finding no poops in your bunny s litter box is likely to be you
3. he is eating and pooping properly in the days after surgery e Watch your rabbit s surgical incision closely for a couple of weeks post op for redness and signs of infection such as pus or crusty areas This summarized version of rabbit care is only a small basic part of your rabbit education All rights reserved May be distributed freely Editing or changing this document is expressly forbidden Please visit www thebunnyguy com to obtain your complete printed or digital copy of this book Your Rabbit s Diet 85 Of Your Rabbit s Diet Should Be Grass Hay My rabbits get no more than one eighth cup 2 Tbsp of Examples of some healthy treats include whole dried pellets per day but some vets believe rabbits do not need herbs hay cubes and healthy vegetable crackers pellets at all Provide a salad consisting of four or five different leafy greens NO MORE than twice the size of your rabbit s head You CAN feed your rabbit too much salad so do not give him too much Gas bloat or soft stools can result e Itis very important that you learn how to feed and care for your pet rabbit properly if you want him to live a long and healthy life e Many rabbits that fail to live at least eight years are victims of being overfed e Rabbits require a very high fiber diet that is low in protein fat and carbohydrates e Fora truly happy healthy rabbit you must feed him unlimited amounts of grass hays every day These include ti
4. visit www thebunnyguy com to obtain your complete printed or digital copy of this book Is a Rabbit Really the Right Pet For You e Some families are not a good match for rabbits as pets e Rabbits are crepuscular active at dawn and dusk not nocturnal as many people believe e Regardless of age a child is not capable of being the person primarily responsible for a pet bunny e Your rabbit needs at least one hour of hands on socializing and about three hours of daily exercise e Rabbits do not always do what we expect especially when we are just learning about them e Rabbits require patience gentleness and understanding so they are not good pets for everyone e Anew rabbit needs some time to become completely accustomed to a new home and to accept you as part of his family e Impulse acquired rabbits are almost always a bad idea for the humans and the rabbits e You must prepare in advance for bringing home a bunny e Rabbits can be high maintenance and expensive pets e Rabbits become mean only because they have not been treated correctly e You must ask yourself several important questions before you decide to adopt a companion rabbit o Can you truly provide care for your new rabbit for eight to twelve or more years o Are you willing to take the time and energy to learn how to properly house and care for a companion rabbit o Do you now have and will you have in the future the space and the financial and emotional r
5. Summaries are excerpts reprinted from the book The Bunny Lover s Complete Guide To House Rabbits Please Distribute Freely Editing And Changes To This Document Are Expressly Forbidden Director Properties LLC Copyright 2012 Author Stephan The Bunny Guy www thebunnyguy com This summarized version of rabbit care is only a small basic part of your rabbit education All rights reserved May be distributed freely Editing or changing this document is expressly forbidden Please visit www thebunnyguy com to obtain your complete printed or digital copy of this book Why Rabbits Need to Live Indoors e Rabbits must live indoors for their health and safety and for your enjoyment of them e Indoor bunnies live about twice as long as outdoor rabbits e If your rabbit cannot live indoors then you probably should not have a rabbit for a pet e To bea true companion with and a good caregiver for your pet rabbit he must be near you indoors e Being close to and learning to communicate with your pet rabbit is a big part of enjoying your life together e By being near to your pet rabbit you will be quick to notice signs your bun is not feeling well e Rabbit personalities blossom indoors and will provide you and your family with endless entertainment and joy e Your backyard is NOT a safe place for your rabbit to play e The safest place for your bunny to play is in a bunny proofed area inside your home e A backyard bunny is a terrib
6. d freely Editing or changing this document is expressly forbidden Please visit www thebunnyguy com to obtain your complete printed or digital copy of this book e Don t fall into the treat trap e Sugars have no part in a bunny s diet Avoid carrots fruits corn nuts seeds and carbs such as bread crackers cereal and oatmeal e Your rabbit will be just as happy to get a big sprig of his favorite green or herb or a few healthy pellets as he would be to get fruit or other sweets e Some rabbit lovers make special treats for their buns with a food dehydrator e Remember portion control when feeding your rabbit except when it comes to hay Feed unlimited grass hay timothy oat orchard grass Alfalfa is appropriate only for baby rabbits e Rabbits naturally eat and eliminate at the same time so feed your rabbit hay in his litterbox and clean the litterbox often at least several times per week but preferably every day e Pine or cedar shavings and clay based kitty litter can kill your rabbit over time Avoid them e Rabbit safe litters include paper based litters e g Carefresh Yesterday s News hay and non aromatic wood stove pellets e g Bear Mountain Dry Den How to Set Up Your Rabbit s Litterbox and Hay To make a litter box for your rabbit start with a large cat box Do not skimp on the hay and fill the litter box almost to overflowing For adult Bigger is better because rabbits like to forage Yo
7. d or neutered because their owners do not know how important the procedure is or cannot afford it e A big problem within many communities is that unspayed females and intact males are released by their owners who no longer want them creating huge feral populations e The best way to avoid the expense of a spay neuter is to adopt a bunny that is already altered e If you are planning on bonding two rabbits both must be spayed and or neutered several weeks prior to the introduction e It is best to have an exotics veterinarian with a lot of experience treating rabbits perform a spay or neuter e Complications can occur during or after surgery there are no guarantees e You should feed your rabbit hay and water right up until the surgery This summarized version of rabbit care is only a small basic part of your rabbit education All rights reserved May be distributed freely Editing or changing this document is expressly forbidden Please visit www thebunnyguy com to obtain your complete printed or digital copy of this book e Once you have returned home with your rabbit after the surgery he may still be a little groggy from the anesthesia e Any continued bleeding of more than a few drops of blood means your rabbit needs to revisit the vet immediately e The safest cleanest place for your rabbit to spend the first couple days after surgery is inside his X pen exercise pen or condo e It s important to pay attention to whether
8. e system of a healthy rabbit e A common sign that you are giving your rabbit too much nutrition is finding his cecotropes lying around uneaten or smashed under his tail area e In addition to grass hay and limited pellets a daily green salad of several different leafy greens provides all the vitamins and other nutrients that your rabbit will need to be healthy e A good rule of thumb is to feed your bunny a fresh green salad equal to no more than twice the size of his head daily Consult your vet for recommendations as greens can cause gas or soft stools e You can make your rabbit sick by giving him too much green salad every day e Avoid cabbage family veggies these can cause gas which is painful and can cause bloating e When introducing any new food into your rabbit s diet always proceed slowly and cautiously e Many rabbits are very reluctant to try new veggies at first e Always be concerned if a rabbit is showing signs of pain or discomfort and take him to the rabbit experienced vet promptly if these signs appear e Not eating and pooping is a very common and deadly problem and the rabbit needs to see a vet immediately e You may need to do some work to find the best treats for your bun e Most rabbit treats sold in pet stores are bad for rabbits e Most rabbits will do anything for a treat This summarized version of rabbit care is only a small basic part of your rabbit education All rights reserved May be distribute
9. esources to keep and care for a bunny o Will anyone in your household be allergic to a bunny or his hay o Is everyone in your home happy about adopting a pet rabbit o If you rent your home or apartment will your landlord allow rabbits and how many o Do you travel for work or frequently go away for days at a time o Will you have several hours every day to supervise your rabbit during exercise This summarized version of rabbit care is only a small basic part of your rabbit education All rights reserved May be distributed freely Editing or changing this document is expressly forbidden Please visit www thebunnyguy com to obtain your complete printed or digital copy of this book e Other Pets and Rabbits o Itis not fair to make the defenseless rabbit endure punishment and possible injury from other pets o Jealousy is a big problem when bringing any kind of new pet into the home o If your animals are fighting you must break it up and stop all aggression immediately o Diseases generally cannot be transferred from dogs or cats to bunnies except ringworm e Dogs and Rabbits o If your dog likes to chase cats squirrels or other small animals likes to play fetch or chase games or is overly playful excitable and or jumps on people he may not be suitable to live with a pet rabbit o Often a dog is not trying to kill or hurt a pet bunny when he injures one o There must be 100 percent constant supervision during the first six
10. f things to get into e The safest way to protect anything from your rabbit is to simply remove it from his area e You will always want to be near your rabbit when he is running around a bunny proofed area of your house e Even though your rabbit has never explored a part of the house rest assured that someday he may suddenly decide to do so e Rabbits explore the world with their mouths e Rabbits are prolific chewers by nature and necessity e Chewing habits also change with the seasons Extra bunny proofing is necessary during holidays e There are only three ways to prevent chewing remove it cover it or create a barrier e Toxic substances and items should not be left within reach of your bun e Do not allow your bun to run in an area with poisonous household cleaners and supplies in low cabinets e Most common houseplants are extremely toxic e You must visually and actively supervise your bunny very closely during his time out to play e Think of rabbits as two or three year old children and always supervise them that way This summarized version of rabbit care is only a small basic part of your rabbit education All rights reserved May be distributed freely Editing or changing this document is expressly forbidden Please visit www thebunnyguy com to obtain your complete printed or digital copy of this book e Do not make the mistake of thinking that you can watch your bunny closely enough to keep him from chewing your telev
11. is summarized version of rabbit care is only a small basic part of your rabbit education All rights reserved May be distributed freely Editing or changing this document is expressly forbidden Please visit www thebunnyguy com to obtain your complete printed or digital copy of this book Spaying and Neutering Your Rabbit e Part of being a good rabbit owner is providing good medical care whenever your rabbit needs it e If you are unable to use rabbit specialists because they are more expensive than dog or cat vets then a rabbit probably is not the right pet for you e Unspayed female rabbits have an 85 percent chance of developing breast or uterine cancers by the time they are four years old e Unspayed female rabbits will be more prone to cage protectiveness chewing and digging e Intact males can be more aggressive to humans and rabbits and are more susceptible to testicular cancer e Intact males are known for marking their territory with their urine just like male cats do o Spayed and neutered altered buns are a lot easier to litter box train e Your bunny usually will be more friendly and docile after being altered e Many rabbits are impulse buys and people do not plan for the cost or need to spay neuter e Spay neuter surgery by a rabbit experienced vet can cost between 175 to over 300 Prices vary by the rabbit s gender by region of the country and by vet so call around for pricing e Many rabbits are never spaye
12. ision cord computer cables or other items when he is out for playtime e Electrical cords are the most important things to protect in your home because bunnies can be electrocuted or start a house fire if they chew cords e Never have cords of any kind even protected ones in your rabbit s living area e The only way to protect your cords is to either remove them or put cord protectors over them e Homemade or store bought cord protectors are the best way to protect cords while not chew proof they usually can give you enough time to save the cord if your bunny gets hold of it e If your bunny is tearing up carpet cover the areas with some carpet sample squares or remnants e If your rabbit refuses to keep his teeth off something simply remove it from his area rather than have an ongoing battle of wills e Never discipline your rabbit it will only make him mistrust you e If your bunny chews digs or otherwise destroys something dear to you it is not his fault it is your fault for failing to properly bunny proof e Avoid the squirt bottle method of spraying water at your rabbit to make him stop misbehaving Positive reinforcement and distracting your bunny from mischief are the best approaches One of the most important parts of bunny proofing is You can use homemade protectors as shown here or store bought versions protecting your cords Rabbits instinctively chew roots in made for managing computer cords their bu
13. ly lonely bunny e Dogs owls hawks coyotes snakes and raccoons are just some of the predators that pose a threat to an outdoor rabbit e The predator does not even have to get inside the cage your rabbit can die of fright e Domesticated rabbits have smaller less efficient hearts than wild rabbits this is why fright can kill them e Outdoor buns are exposed to a lot more diseases and parasites including fleas ticks raccoon roundworms and myxomatosis than indoor ones e Rabbits that go outdoors are more prone to a dangerous condition called flystrike This summarized version of rabbit care is only a small basic part of your rabbit education All rights reserved May be distributed freely Editing or changing this document is expressly forbidden Please visit www thebunnyguy com to obtain your complete printed or digital copy of this book How Much Does a Bunny amp Bunny Care Cost e Rabbits lagomorphs are not cheap or low maintenance pets e Rabbits are not good children s pets and can be accidentally harmed or neglected by children e The adoption fee likely will be the least expensive bill you will ever pay for your rabbit e Rabbits need regular veterinary checkups by a rabbit veterinary specialist also called an exotics veterinarian e You will want to find an exotics veterinarian before you get your rabbit e Your rabbit is highly likely to need an exotics vet during his life in addition to spa
14. months the bunny and the dog are together o Good candidates for dog rabbit relationships are older relaxed dogs who are not hyperactive and who already get along well with cats e Cats and Rabbits o Cats are a lot like rabbits in that they are always bathing themselves and are very clean o When rabbits and cats have a tiff a scratch from the cat can cause terrible eye damage to your bunny This summarized version of rabbit care is only a small basic part of your rabbit education All rights reserved May be distributed freely Editing or changing this document is expressly forbidden Please visit www thebunnyguy com to obtain your complete printed or digital copy of this book How to Pick Up Your Rabbit 1 To pick up your bunny first make a V with your hand 2 Slip your hand under the rabbit behind his front legs and find the balance point 3 Lift your rabbit using your other hand to steady the hind end After lifting bring the rabbit up close to your body because rabbits don t like being held out in space where they feel as though they can fall or be dropped One way to hold your rabbit is by balancing This gives you a free hand to control the If your rabbit kicks firmly support his feet or his body behind his front legs and pinching rabbit s head or feet Shown above should if he tries to nip you put your hand on his his hind end with the rest of your forearm you need to head shown above Th
15. mothy orchard grass and oat hay not alfalfa which is for baby rabbits only e Rabbits that live solely on pellets tend to live only half as long as rabbits that are fed properly balanced diets of grass hays and a variety of fresh greens daily This summarized version of rabbit care is only a small basic part of your rabbit education All rights reserved May be distributed freely Editing or changing this document is expressly forbidden Please visit www thebunnyguy com to obtain your complete printed or digital copy of this book e Pellets are extremely dense nutrition and were designed for farmers to fatten up a baby rabbit for market quickly Adult rabbits should get high quality all timothy not alfalfa pellets e Given a choice between hay and a bowl of pellets most rabbits will shun the hay and eat only the pellets Think of pellets as chocolate cake with vitamins and minerals added e You must watch your rabbit for signs of weight gain and adjust your bunny s diet accordingly Invest in a scale and weigh your rabbit regularly e Rabbits store most of their extra fat in their livers which reduces liver function and can cause a fatal condition called fatty liver disease e When rabbits have too much nutrition the speed or motility of their intestines is reduced Reduced motility makes rabbits more susceptible to intestinal blockage after ingesting fur rabbits ingest fur while grooming hay helps to push fur through th
16. pet stores are not large enough for a rabbit e For comfort and safety do not place your rabbit s abode in front of any sunny window radiator heater vent or drafty spot e Three ways to have your rabbit live indoors with you include X pens exercise pens large cages or bunny condos and bunny proofed rooms e Many house rabbits live in an X pen environment which is easy to clean easy to move easy to connect to other X pens provides lots of space and is chew proof e X pens come in a variety of heights and you will need to make sure your rabbit cannot hop out of the X pen you buy e Cover the flooring in your bunny s X pen area even if it s carpeted to protect your good carpets and rugs from bunny s digging and chewing This summarized version of rabbit care is only a small basic part of your rabbit education All rights reserved May be distributed freely Editing or changing this document is expressly forbidden Please visit www thebunnyguy com to obtain your complete printed or digital copy of this book e Another sometimes more expensive way to house your rabbit is in a very large cage or bunny condo e The main benefit of a condo is that when you are absent your rabbit is controlled inside a safe place that other pets cannot enter e If you are a do it yourselfer consider making your own bunny condo e The size of a cage condo should depend on the size and activity level of your bunny e Your rabbit
17. r first indication of GI stasis e If you suspect GI stasis or think your rabbit is in pain contact his vet immediately and take him in This is a life threatening emergency e Bloat gas buildup can kill as quickly as GI stasis Gas is often caused by improper diet or excess greens e One of the first signs of a dental problem is weepy eyes or a runny nose e Dental issues also can cause your rabbit s eating habits to change suddenly e Bladder sludge or stones are another common malady e Head tilt thought to be caused by a parasitic protozoan called Encephalitazoon cuniculi E cuniculi for short usually is preceded by a stressful event o E cuniculi can be fatal if immediate veterinary treatment is not administered e Rabbits have hollow bones like birds which makes them very vulnerable to fractures e Rabbits skin is quite fragile and can be easily torn sometimes in large pieces e Your bunny chewing and swallowing something harmful is an emergency that often goes unnoticed until it is too late Extra bunny proofing is needed during holidays e Many household and landscaping plants and flowers are toxic to humans rabbits and other pets e A domestic rabbit will readily eat a very poisonous plant in your house or yard simply because he does not know any better e Literally thousands of products plants and substances are harmful to your rabbit This summarized version of rabbit care is only a small basic part of your
18. rabbit education All rights reserved May be distributed freely Editing or changing this document is expressly forbidden Please visit www thebunnyguy com to obtain your complete printed or digital copy of this book e Never use pine or cedar shavings in your rabbit s litter box These can damage a rabbit s liver e Rabbits have very sensitive respiratory systems e Cat litter can kill your rabbit due to prolonged inhalation of the small particles in the litter e Do not apply bug killers or any kind of poison near your rabbit e Mousetraps or commercial products for pest control should never be allowed near your rabbit e Many medicines meant for cats or dogs cannot be given to rabbits without fatal consequences e Frontline is highly toxic to your rabbit causing fatal seizures FRONTLINE FATAL e Theobromine a compound found in chocolate is toxic to rabbits e Excessive heat can be fatal for a rabbit Keep your rabbit s abode away from intense heat sources and be sure to keep him cool on hot summer days This summarized version of rabbit care is only a small basic part of your rabbit education All rights reserved May be distributed freely Editing or changing this document is expressly forbidden Please visit www thebunnyguy com to obtain your complete printed or digital copy of this book
19. rrows and cords appear to be roots This summarized version of rabbit care is only a small basic part of your rabbit education All rights reserved May be distributed freely Editing or changing this document is expressly forbidden Please visit www thebunnyguy com to obtain your complete printed or digital copy of this book Rabbit Health and Wellness Issues from Common to Critical Rabbit Experienced Vets are Your Bunny s Lifeline e For many common bunny health problems the only appropriate action is to take your bun to a rabbit experienced vet e Because rabbits are prey animals that hide illness it can be difficult to know when your rabbit is sick or not feeling well e Part of having a companion pet is making sure that if he needs medical attention he gets it immediately e Do your homework beforehand to see which exotics veterinarian is best for you and your bunny e You can check out your local vets by asking other rabbit people or consulting your nearest rabbit rescue organization or House Rabbit Society chapter http rabbit org e The more experience a vet has with bunnies the better off your bunny will be e Good rabbit veterinary specialists will suggest a wellness check while your rabbit is healthy e Maintain a good trusting relationship with your rabbit s vet e Rabbit savvy vets are lifesavers for many common conditions e Always have the staff at your bunny s vet demonstrate how to give every medicine prescribed
20. u can rabbits use Timothy Hay Oat Hay or Orchard Grass but not Alfalfa reduce the amount of absorbent material that you use by employing a grate between it and the hay A large plastic cat litter box obtained from a pet store works just fine for most rabbits Use fresh grass hay on top not alfalfa and an absorbent bedding on the bottom of the litter box Do not use cat litter or pine or cedar shavings in the litter box because they can harm your rabbit Hay should be as fresh as possible because many rabbits will not eat dried old hay A rabbit will eat where he poops and pees and this is normal This summarized version of rabbit care is only a small basic part of your rabbit education All rights reserved May be distributed freely Editing or changing this document is expressly forbidden Please visit www thebunnyguy com to obtain your complete printed or digital copy of this book How to House Your Rabbit A two story rabbit condo made specifically for house Many people use a metal exercise pen X pen like this to contain their rabbits rabbits with a ramp to access the second floor indoors instead of a rabbit condo Be sure the X pen is tall enough so bunny cannot jump out e All pet rabbits should live indoors e Do not tuck your bunny away in a part of the house that no one in the family frequents e Avoid wire bottomed cages because rabbits tend to get their toenails caught in them e Small plastic and wire cages sold in
21. y neuter and his regular checkups e Veterinary medicine for rabbits has changed and improved dramatically in the past decade e Most procedures cost more at an exotics vet than at a dog cat vet because the exotics vet is specially trained to treat rabbits e To find good reputable rabbit vets in your area seek out your local chapter of the House Rabbit Society at http www rabbit org e You should have your bunny spayed or neutered also called altered or fixed when she or he is old enough and hasn t been altered already e Itis often best to adopt a rabbit that has already been spayed or neutered e Schedule a wellness check with your exotics vet soon after bringing your new bunny home e Housing supplies and veterinary care usually cost more for rabbits than they do for dogs or cats e Shown below are typical costs for care San Diego CA 10 2012 These costs vary by region gender of pet and veterinarian so do call suppliers ahead of time for details Item Rabbit Costs Dog or Cat Costs Adoption Fee 30 75 75 150 or more Spay Neuter 175 400 90 180 Housing amp Supplies 250 00 100 00 Monthly Food amp Supplies 50 00 20 00 Annual Vet Checkup 75 00 50 00 Vet Bill if Sick or Injured 150 00 100 00 This summarized version of rabbit care is only a small basic part of your rabbit education All rights reserved May be distributed freely Editing or changing this document is expressly forbidden Please
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