Are you planning to adopt a bunny soon? Rabbits are super cute and adorable little pets. They do have some pretty specific care needs. Someone who has only had dogs and/or cats may have a bit of a learning curve ahead of them. We’ll go over more aspects of bunny care in later blogs, but for now we’re focusing on the fun stuff: keeping your pet happy! Read on as a local Meadowvale, ON vet offers some tips.
Provide A Play Zone
One of the first rules of getting a bunny? You’ll need to petproof absolutely everything Floppy can reach. Rabbits will chew on anything and everything!
You don’t necessarily have to bunnyproof your entire house. You can choose a few rooms to give your pet access to, and petproof those.
Here are a few things you’d want to address:
Baseboards: Baseboards happen to be right at bunny level and are quite tempting for them to chew on.
Table Legs: Anything that is made of wood and within easy reach of those cute paws is a prime target. You can get protective casings table legs. Taste deterrents will work, but you will need to reapply regularly.
Small Or Sharp Items: The complete list of things that would fit into these categories would be far too long to put here, but some examples include pens, pencils, jewelry, beads, buttons, craft kit pieces, safety pins, thumb tacks, thumb drives, coins, and small toys.
Personal Items: Things like shoes, purses, wallets, and even cell phones are all fair game for your adorable chewing machine. Keep these things in secure spots, well out of paws’ reach.
Plants: Many rabbits love to nibble on plants. If you like, you can set out some herbs at floor level for your cute pet to gnaw on. You’ll just need to make sure to choose only safe ones. Some of the safe plants would include daisies, dandelions, mint, basil, marigolds, cilantro, spider plants, and orchids. Just keep in mind that these plants are not going to be safe from your rabbit. If you want your plant to live, keep them in high spots, where your pet can’t reach.
Here are some of the more toxic plants:
- Snowdrops
- Hyacinths
- Bluebells
- Crocuses
- Daffodils
- Buttercups
- Foxgloves
- Primrose
- Delphiniums/Larkspur
- Columbine (Aquilegia) Hellebore
- Comfrey
- Poppy
- Periwinkle
- Monkshood
- Nightshade
- Ivy
- Privet
- Holly
- Yew
- Ragwort
Anything with a bulb should also be considered toxic. That includes things like daffodils, tulips, garlic, and onions. Ask your Meadowvale, ON vet for more information.
Spaces: Bunnies are both small and curious, and they have a tendency to want to explore any kind of nooks, crannies, or crevasses. You may not notice the pencil that rolled under the couch, but Floppy certainly will! Your best bet is to seal off any openings behind and beneath furniture and cabinets. Under-bed storage containers can work for this, though choose ones your bunny can’t chew through.
Wires, Cords, Ropes: These pose a triple threat. Not only are cords and ropes choking and strangulation hazards, they can cause very dangerous internal injuries if ingested. Needless to say, chewing on a live wire would also be extremely dangerous!
Doors: As far as Floppy is concerned, that closet door is a convenient snack. You can get protective coverings, such as a thick mat or sheet of hard plastic. Just make sure to choose something your pet’s teeth won’t get through. It’s also best to keep closets shut. Otherwise, your pet may very well munch on anything she can reach.
Be sure to ask your veterinarian for more information on bunnyproofing.
How To Set Up A Great Bunny Cage
When it comes to pet care, comfort is very much king. You’ll want to give your pet a little luxury bunny condo. A great cage is absolutely paramount here. While Floppy will need several hours of free time outside of her cage daily, she will still spend quite a bit of time inside her cage.
Here are a few tips on setting up your rabbit’s cage:
Bigger Is Better: One of the most common mistakes that people make is using a cage that is too small. Rabbits are naturally very active, and they need a bit of room. Your pet’s cage should be more like a one-bedroom than a studio. Make sure Floppy has plenty of space to stand up, hop around, stretch out, and play, without tripping over her things or touching the cage wall or side.
Avoid Wire Floors: Choose a cage with a solid floor. Wire floors don’t contain substrate. They also can cause serious paw and leg injuries. Plus. They aren’t very comfy, either!
Offer A Hidey Hole: Your pet’s cage is her house. Give her a little spot to retreat to, like a little pet tent or hide box.
Provide A Hay Rack: One of the basics of bunny care is providing plenty of grass hay. You may find a hay rack helps keep things neat. (Tip: If you’re including a litterbox, position the hayrack so that your pet has to jump into her box to eat from it. Rabbits like to eat while doing their business, so this can help with training.)
You may also want to consider a litterbox, though this is optional. You’ll of course need to add a water bottle and a dish for pellets.
Ask your vet for specific advice on cage setup.
Keeping A Bunny Entertained
Floppy is just as playful as Fluffy and Fido! Bunnies are naturally curious and inquisitive, and love to poke their cute noses into absolutely everything.
You’ll need to offer plenty of toys, including lots of chew toys. You can buy these, but you can also make them out of things like paper, cardboard, wood, and wicker. Look online for ideas, or try making something new!
Here are a few favorites:
- Hanging Toys
- Toy Balls
- Chew Toys
- Branches from safe fruit trees, such as apple trees.
- Paper
- Obstacle Courses
- Box Castles
- Dig boxes
Just stick with safe items. Avoid anything small or sharp. Items covered in decorative substances, such as varnish, paint, glitter, and dye, are also unsafe, as are things with dangling ropes or strings.
Floppy loves to explore things. She’s also a big fan of jumping and hopping. Tunnels and mazes are also big hits. You can even combine the two and make a tunnel or maze that contains elements of an obstacle course.
Playing With Your Bunny
Don’t be surprised if you realize that your cute pet actually really enjoys playing with you. Try different games. Some bunnies like ‘bowling’ type games. You can also do scavenger hunts, by hiding treats in certain spots.
Love
At the end of the day, pets really just want to feel loved and safe. Spend time with your little buddy every day, and just make sure that she feels loved and safe. You’ll know you’re on the right track if you start scoring binkies. Binkies are basically the bunny version of a happy dance. We probably don’t have to say how adorable they are!
Schedule An Appointment At Our Meadowvale, ON Animal Clinic
Are you looking for a great vet that handles bunnies? Please feel free to contact us. As your Meadowvale, ON pet hospital, we are dedicated to offering your pet great care!
