(Please note: This information is gathered through various websites on the internet, and my experiences with raising rabbits.)
Lifespan: Before adopting your rabbit, please consider that your new friend can live up to 7-14+ years. If you are willing to make that time investment, please read on further.
What age do I adopt a rabbit? Will an older rabbit bond with me?
The Massachusetts Law requires rabbits to be at least 8 weeks before going to their new homes. It is my opinion that bunnies should not leave for their new homes till they are at least 12 weeks. Bunnies that are 8 weeks will tend to stress more, with the amount of handling, new living conditions, and the stress from leaving their siblings home.
Rabbits 6 months and older make fine pets. They are easier to bond with, their personality is set, and you are pretty much aware with what you are getting into.
Signs of a healthy rabbit
When bringing your new rabbit home, make sure you go over it carefully. Check your new friend over for his teeth. You want your rabbit’s front teeth to overlap its bottom teeth. Check the nose and eyes for any signs of possible discharge. Check inside the ears to see if you can find any traces of ear mites. If your rabbit has mites in his ears, more than likely it has mites all over.
Do Bucks or Does make better pets?
One of the most common questions asked by pet owners is which gender makes the better pet. My answer is simple, both. A lot of people believe that bucks make better pets than does. This cannot be farther away from the truth. Both my bucks and does demand the same amount of attention from me when it comes down to it. They all love to stick their heads out to get their share of head rubs and cuddling time. When looking for a pet, it is important to find a breeder who invests sufficient amount of time handling their rabbits, and keeps temperament on the same par as producing typey show rabbits.
Altering: A scary factor that comes along with rabbit ownership. It is recommended that pet owners get their rabbits altered at 6 months of age. These procedures can cost anywhere between $95-$250 for having your bucks neutered, and in the upwards region for your doe. It is highly recommended that these surgeries be done by a veterinarian who specializes in small animals. Altering will increases the lifespan of your rabbit, as rabbits are highly prone to uterine cancers. If you do not plan to have your rabbit altered, please reconsider your decision for adopting a rabbit.
Housing: I am a firm believer, that pet rabbits should be housed indoors. This way they get the amount of attention they deserve, and plus you get to enjoy them more. The ideal cage for your Holland Lop or Netherland Dwarf or Lionhead should measure 18*24. The cage dimensions for an English angora should be 24*30 or 30*36. It is recommended that these cages have a wire bottom, with a drop pan underneath for their droppings to fall. Wabbitats available through petsmart.com make excellent homes for your new pets.
Diet:
Water is the main ingredient in your rabbits diet. Make sure that your rabbit has access to fresh water daily. A heavy crock, or a 16 ounce bottle is recommended.
Pellets: The food you feed your rabbit should be 16-17% good quality. A good quality pellet does not require supplements to go with it often. Please stay away from the rabbit food that have chunks of fruits and veggies in it. Your rabbit will just eat the goodies and leave the pellets behind. At NND Rabbitry, we feed our rabbits Manna Pro Show Rabbit Formulae. My seniors (6 months and older) get ½ cup of pellets, and those under 6 months are fed 1/3 cup. Does with litters are free fed.
All NND Rabbits go home with a well supplied bag of their food. You want to make sure that you transition your new bunny to the food you want to feed it slowly. Mix the old food to their new food (1/2 by ½ ) gradually increasing the amount of new food. The switch should be done over a period of 2 weeks at least.
Treats: No treats are to be given to rabbits under the age of 6 months. Rabbits 6months and under should only get their ration of pellets, unlimited amounts of hay and water. Acceptable treats for senior rabbits are parsley (washed with warm water), dandelions, apple slices, baby carrots, cheerios, oats, wheat puffs (my guys absolutely love these), strawberries, and dried whole wheat breed are all acceptable.
Do not feed lettuce, cauliflower, broccoli, or anything that is high in water content.
Hay: Very important ingredient in your rabbits diet. It stimulates the rabbits intestinal movement, and prevents fur block. I recommend a 2nd or 3rd cut fresh Timothy hay or Orchard Grass for your rabbits. Juniors (6months and under) should get as much hay they can eat. My adults generally are fed hay every two days.
Do not feed Alfalfa hay to your
Toys
Rabbits are very playful by nature, and can get bored easily. It is recommended that you provide them with toys, if they are going to be left alone at home for long spans of time. Acceptable toys are stuffed animals (they love to snuggle with them), untreated blocks of wood, small cat ball, a tennis ball, and little rope hanging toys, in which you can stuff hay. They have a blast swinging it from one end to the other, while trying to get their hay.