Frequently asked questions
What should I be feeding my Bunny?
90% of a rabbits diet should be fresh grass and hay. In the summer months it is good to get your bunny outside onto the grass to allow them to graze. This promotes natural behaviour in terms of diet and allows the rabbit to continually chew to help keep their teeth down. Hay should be provided inside of the rabbits hutch on constant supply for them to always have something to nibble on to keep their teeth worn down.
Your new rabbit will come with 1 weeks worth of change over food which we will supply on them leaving the stud. These are simple Alfalfa cubes which are fed once in the evenings as a supplement.
*Try to avoid mix feeds as the bunnies will pick the tasty unhealthy things out and leave the good things behind. Sticking to a pellet feed will eliminate selective feeding, and support your bunnies digestive system better*
Dark leafy greens are a good source of energy and fibre and are safe for your bunny to eat. But try to avoid root vegetables such as carrots and parsnips on a regular basis as these are high in sugars and can soon make your rabbit fat!
Fresh water should be provided and available at all times, with daily water changes from either bowls or bottles.
What's the big deal with rabbits teeth?
A rabbits teeth will continue to grow throughout his/her life. To avoid this, it is important that the rabbit continually has the opportunity to grind his/her teeth down. Hay is the best thing for their teeth! Not only does it make up for the majority of their diet it also has the added benefit of the rasping their teeth down, keeping them under control.
Some rabbits require a regular visit to their local vet to have their teeth clipped or filed by a nurse, if your rabbit needs this, it is best to speak to the nurse at your practice or the vet for some additional advice on how nutrition and enrichment may be able to aid the teeth.
How much exercise should my bunny get?
Bunnies need a safe space to have a play, stretch and run around. Most commonly people will use a 'run'. Runs can be moved around the garden very easily, they contain your rabbit and most importantly protect your rabbit from predators such as large cats and foxes.
In the summer time, your bunny should be able to get much more exercise as weather will allow for this. Your bunny will enjoy being out on the grass all day long, just as long as you make sure there is a shaded area available for them to eascape the heat as well as access to fresh water.
In the winter time, it is much colder and wetter. Your bunny will not appreciate getting wet, and this can cause them to become poorly. However, if the ground is dry or you have a concrete/paved area which you place hay down for them to sit on, then this would be the perfect opportunity to let them out for an hour or so during the winter.
Where is best to keep my rabbit?
Rabbits can be housed either indoors or outside. Outside rabbits normally live inside of a hutch. Hutches vary in size and depeding on how big your rabbit will be as an adult, will depend on the size hutch you need. Think three hop rule! As long as the rabbit can hop three lengths of its body comfortably and have room to stretch out and stand up on his/her hind legs, then the hutch meets a minimum recommended size for the rabbit.
Outside rabbits will need extra bedding in the winter months to keep them warm, see our 'what bedding should i use?' for more information.
Indoor rabbits normally have an indoor cage, and are normally shut in there whilst the owners are asleep, at work or out of the house. Rabits can be trained to use a litter tray and therefore make for good indoor pets! However, don't forget the three hop rule, nor forget that your rabbit will need a constant supply of hay available and this may cause some mess!
What bedding should i use?
Beddings availabe are;
+Woodshavings
+Straw
+Shredded paper
+Small animal shredded cloth
+Woodpellets (soaked or dry)
+Hay (although we think this should really be kept for feeding!)
+Blankets (if a litter tray is provided)
It is entirely your choice! Do not be bullied into what someone else tells you that you must use! It is your bunny! Whatever works for you both best is what you should use. Here at the stud our bunnies are bedded with finely shredded paper, because A) its free from friends and family, and B) our bunnies are happy with it!
**Our stud bunnies however do get extra bedding such as shredded straw when they are due to kindle (day 28).**
