The Bunny Basics

Rdhrd70 · Joined: 09 Mar 2008 Posts: 37

How often do I feed my bunny? Do I leave bunny food in there all day or only in the mornings and evenings? I know to leave the hay in there at all times I was just wondering about the food.

thank you

TheBunnyBasics · Posted: Sun Mar 09, 2008 3:01 pm Post subject:

As you noted it is very important your bunny have access to fresh timothy hay 24 hours a day.

If older than 7 months your bunny should be fed timothy pellets, 1/4 cup per 5lbs of body weight. If younger, they should be free fed alfalfa pellets since they are still growing. Rabbits older than 7 months that are free fed pellets tend to become overweight, will not eat as much hay and can become very ill. Never feed pellets that have nuts, seeds or cereal looking items added in, these are high in sugar and carbohydrates.

Your bunny should always have fresh water. Bunny safe vegetables once a day is good as well. For example you can feed pellets in the morning and veggies at night. And again timothy hay should always be available to your bunny. Hay is very important for their digestive system and teeth.

Thank you for taking great care of your bunny! Very Happy

Rdhrd70 · Joined: 09 Mar 2008 Posts: 37

ok So I think I am on the right tract. I have the pellets but it does have some orange hard colored food in it as well. I get it at walmart. The other pelets that I was getting him from pet co gave him loose stool. I put him on this and he has been doing great. I only refill the bowl in the morning and evenings. He gets a lot of hay but dosnt seem to eat a lot but he nibbles maybe i should cut back on the dry food. He is only 5 months and is about 4 pds. He seems to be gaining weight and growing. I just dont want to do anything wrong lol.. Laughing

Any advice is welcome He is our fist bunny and we only want the best for him.

TheBunnyBasics · Posted: Sun Mar 09, 2008 6:37 pm Post subject:

What kind of pellets are they? If it is just a colored pellet it would be ok for now since he had trouble with another type of pellets. If it is a cereal of some sort he shouldn't have it. In a month or two you should transition him to a timothy pellet. Oxbow is probably the best rabbit pellet on the market.

Hay is really important for bunnies. You might want to try cutting back on the pellets a little to see if he eats more hay. Some bunnies are very picky about the hay they eat. If he doesn't increase his hay intake when you cut back on pellets you might want to try another brand of timothy hay. He may just be a picky hay eater!

Thank you for doing your research on proper bunny care. Unfortunately there is so much misinformation out there on rabbit care. A great book for new bunny owners is the House Rabbit Handbook: A Guide to Living with an Urban Rabbit. It has information on everything. You can find it at any bookstore and most libraries.

The most important parts of bunny care are a proper diet, lots of playtime and lots of love! You will be amazed what loving, silly, intelligent little bundles of fun they are! It sounds like you are a wonderful bunny mom! Very Happy

Rdhrd70 · Joined: 09 Mar 2008 Posts: 37

Ok another question for you. I just want to make sure I do right by this little guy.

The food I WAS giving him from walmart I took him off of that too was giving him a loose type stool. I am now only giving him the timathy hay pellets with nothing in them but that. No seed, no corn nothing and his tummy seems to be doing much better. I never thougth I would say I love seeing the little poops all around his litter box again. Smile

I want to give him what is best for him. Now I have two very important questions.
1. When I got him at the pets store they told me I had to put the vitamins in his water. My vet says it should be also untill he is a year. Do you agree? Or can I just give him plane water? when he is out running round the house i put a dish of plane water out and when he is thirsty he goes to the water bowl. But when we are gone or at night for his naps he has the water bottle with the vitamin water in it. Is this ok?
2. Where can I get the oxbow products? Do they sell them in a store or do I need to order them offline. I have gone to the site, but again im new at this and only want to do right by my bun. Id like to make sure he gets what he needs.
3. Ok I know i said 2 but now I thougth of this as well. When looking threw the oxbow foods. There pelets have papaya in them. Is that ok? When and at what age can I start offering him things. And what do I start with what can he have and what should i avoid.

TheBunnyBasics · Posted: Sat Mar 15, 2008 8:38 am Post subject:

I am very glad his tummy is doing better! As far as Oxbow, you can check their web site to see if any store in your area carries their line of food. Click on store locator and then put in your zip code. If not, you can order directly from Oxbow or we sell the Oxbow as well. You will want to feed him the Bunny Basics/T. The Oxbow rabbit food doesn't actually have papaya in it but they do offer papaya tablets as a treat. Papaya is just fine for rabbits in small quantities.

Rabbits do not need vitamins added to their water. They get all the vitamins they need from their food.

Rabbits can be introduced to treats, fruits and veggies at around 3 months old in small amounts. Here is a link to the bunny safe veggies/fruits:
http://www.thebunnybasics.com/BB_Care.html

Sound like he is doing great! Thank you for caring so much about his health and well being! We also love to see that! Very Happy

Rdhrd70 · Joined: 09 Mar 2008 Posts: 37

Ok I took a look at the oxbow. He is only 6months is her ready for the bunny basic T or should it be the bunny basic 15/23. And right now I am not giving him any fresh fruit or veggies he seems to have a very sensative system and gets the loose poops easy so is it ok to just let him have the dry foods. He does drink lots of water.

TheBunnyBasics · Posted: Sat Mar 15, 2008 5:24 pm Post subject:

You should switch bunnies from alfalfa to timothy pellets from between 6 months to 1 year. I generally switch my over at around 6 months but you can certainly wait until they are one year old.

If he is sensitive to veggies then pellets and hay are just fine. If you decide to try again you should start very slowly with the veggies, just a little a time to see how he does with them. If he doesn't do well with one you can try another. Some digestive systems are more sensitive to certain veggies than others. Some favorites are parsley, cilantro and dandelion greens.

It is great he drinks a lot of water. Water is very important for a bunny's digestive system.

Bun&Dogmom · Joined: 29 Jan 2008 Posts: 72

Hi, I hope you don't mind but I wanted to offer some info about timothy hay for buns.

I used to give my buns the Kaytee Timothy Hay from Petco, as well as Petco brand timothy hay. I would buy the biggest bag (maybe two or three pounds worth) for about $14 per bag and it would last for maybe six or seven days. Each month I was spending more than $60 in hay alone. My bunnies ate it but didn't seem to eat enough of it even though it was in all three of their litter boxes as well as in toilet paper rolls, and in a big pile on a seagrass mat, etc. They had it available to them in a bunch of different ways and yet they still didn't eat enough. Then I was so fortunate to one day be introduced to The Bunny Basics store and everything changed.

You see, The Bunny Basics sells a much fresher, better tasting, healthier timothy hay from American Pet Diner. I was absolutely floored to learn that a 25 pound bag of hay from TBB costs $29. When I saw how all the bunnies were chowing down on that hay I thought why not give it a try. So I did.

Not only did my bunnies start eating a ton more hay, but their poops were bigger and healthier looking and they just seemed to enjoy eating the hay more. In addition, their digestive tracts are stronger and healthier now. Tantamount to that, the 25 pound box/bag of hay lasts me for about a month now as opposed to the $60 I was spending before. Not only am I saving a TON of money on hay but the proceeds from the sale of all products at The Bunny Basics go directly to Brambley Hedge Rabbit Rescue. Hooray!! Smile

If your buns aren't eating enough hay, then DEFINITELY switch to American Pet Diner and get it through The Bunny Basics. I promise you, your wonderful bunny will be happier and healthier for it.

Good luck! Very Happy

Rdhrd70 · Joined: 09 Mar 2008 Posts: 37

Well I get paid on friday and I will for sure be going to the bunny basics store. I would love for proceeds to go back to help buns. I have learned so much going through this site and the different sites you put on here. It is amazing how much you can learn. I didnt want Rookies feet on the cage and he didnt like the chips. He is such a picky thing. So I was putting down old T-shirts for him to snuggle with. I do beleave he would love one of the sea matts. I am also going to get some new hay from your store. I build him up a tunnel with 3 carbord boxes and he spent 3 hours playing in there yesterday. I hope you know how much I appreciate all the help. I will for sure keep coming to this site. I hope all my questions havent driven you nuts. I had always wanted a bunny and now that I have one he makes me laugh so hard. I am amazed at how silly they can be. Now if I can get him to stop nipping. I know he isnt doing it to be mean. But it hurts. lol The kids are afraid to lay on the floor because he nips. The other day I was laying on the floor and the little booger niped my breast when I screemed her ran. But he came right back and was going to do it again. Idont think he likes us where he plays. Sassy boy.
Smile

TheBunnyBasics · Posted: Sun Mar 16, 2008 1:12 pm Post subject:

You do have a sassy boy! He sounds like a lot of fun. He will mellow with age and the nipping can either mean you are in my way, move, I don't like what you are doing or he is still learning to trust people. I am sure with the love and care your family is giving him it will stop.

We are glad to be able to help in any way we can. You can ask never too many questions about bunnies. We are all about HAPPY BUNNIES! Very Happy

buns2008 · Joined: 09 Mar 2008 Posts: 71 Location: Fort Worth, TX

I shop at The Bunny Basics too! I travel to Phoenix a lot and always stop in to pick my bunny up a little something. We love their little store and all the wonderful bunny stuff. Great prices and very friendly people too! I also order online and my order always ships the same day. Can't beat that!

It is so nice to have a store dedicated to BUNNIES! YAY!

Thanks Bunny Basics!!!! Cool

timetowaste · Joined: 02 Jan 2008 Posts: 53 Location: scottsdale, arizona

Sounds to me that the nipping means "seriously...MOVE...i'm coming through and this is my territory."

Is he neutered? Is he cage protective as well? Bunnies can be so sassy sometimes, I tell you. My Nemo (a holland lop buck) nips sometimes to, just to be like PUT ME DOWN I DON'T WANT TO BE KISSED or MOVE I'M PLAYING.

Bad bunners!!!!

Tracy

Rdhrd70 · Joined: 09 Mar 2008 Posts: 37

He has become more carge protective in the past week or so. I dont know if bunnys are like kids but he sure is going threw a stage right now where he thinks he is the boss. He was always really good with both of our dogs. The past week if the little dog even comes near his cage or him he rushes him. at first I thought he was playing with him but he nipped him as well. Ughh he is getting better with the kids and nipping but now its the little dog. he loves the big dog lays with him cuddles up with him and follows him everywhere. when he does it I clap my hands and tell him no and he is just like my 17 year old son he just goes about his business lol.. Is there any way to disaplin a bunny for bad behavior? I used to keep a coller on him when he was out of the cage so I could hear where he was, but now he wont let me put the coller on him either he jumps out of my hands and runs HELP please i dont want a naughty bunny Crying or Very sad

buns2008 · Joined: 09 Mar 2008 Posts: 71 Location: Fort Worth, TX

Sometimes nipping can be from handling your bunny too much. Rabbits do not like to be picked up. They like attention but at their level. Also, they do not like anything on them. Putting a collar on him is not a good idea. This will annoy him and can be dangerous if it catches on something. Forcing a collar on him is teaching him to associate being picked up with something bad.

Bunnies can be cage protective. They like their own space and don't like people messing with it. A solution to cage protectiveness that oftens works is switching him from a cage to something like a puppy pen. This way you don't have to reach in to get him. The reaching in can scare rabbits. This can also lead to the nipping and biting. It sounds like he feels the dog is invading his space.

Clapping your hands and telling him no is a good way to discipline a rabbit. You never want to yell at him or be physical with him. If he continues the bad behavior after being told no remove him from what he is doing and put his attention elsewhere. If this still doesn't work you can put him back in his cage for a kind of "timeout".