Bringing a pet rabbit home is an exciting time, especially if you are a first-time bunny owner! Here, we’ll talk about the essentials you’ll need before bringing your bunny home.
Habitat
The first thing to consider is your rabbit’s home base. Most big box pet stores don’t sell rabbit cages that are anywhere near big enough. One rabbit should have, at minimum, an enclosed area between eight and twelve square feet where they can hop around, use the litter box, and have plenty of room to stretch out comfortably.
On top of that, rabbits need access to at least twenty-four square feet of room to exercise. For most people, this means bunny-proofing an area of their house where the bunny can safely roam while supervised.
Many people find that C&C cages work great at providing an enclosure for their rabbits. C&C stands for cubes and coroplast, the two elements that make up these habitats. Coroplast, a corrugated plastic, makes up the bottom of the habitat, while storage cubes are put together in various formations to form the cage walls!
The beauty of a C&C cage is that it can be a fun DIY project, or you can have a pre-made kit sent right to your door with instructions on how to easily assemble the supplies. You can also change the size of the habitat as the bunny grows or needs more room by simply adding more cube panels. Additionally, there are many C&C cage liners that are custom made to fit these cages or can be tailored to your needs. So you won't find it hard to find quality bedding options for these cages.
Litterbox
You’ll want to make sure your bunny has a dedicated bathroom area. Many people find that a cat litter box works wonders for their bunnies. Look for one with a low entrance but high sides, so your bunny is able to hop in easily but is less likely to make a mess.
Always avoid clay-based litter and instead opt for bunny-safe litter like an unscented paper-based litter. Add some hay to the corners, and your bunny can happily munch while going potty!
Bedding
Our bunnies deserve the best, so aside from their litter box/eating area, one of the best bedding options is an absorbent fleece liner. A fleece liner will help ensure that the bun doesn’t slip on the hard ground and has a soft place to snuggle up!
Most are washable and reusable, so even if your bunny isn’t fully potty trained, you can still easily clean up any mess in an eco-friendly way! You can even use a fleece curtain to provide an area that your bunny can go to feel especially safe and cozy!
Food
Before bringing a bunny home, you’ll want to make sure you have all the necessary food on hand. The number one food you’ll need to always have on hand for a rabbit is Timothy Hay. Access to fresh hay should be unlimited as it is the most important part of their diet. If your bunny is under six months of age, you can also offer Alfalfa.
Then you’ll need pellets for your rabbit. These should primarily be made up of Timothy Hay. Rabbits don’t need much, so long as it is a high-quality pellet. Avoid pellets with colors, corn, or seed mixed in. Depending on the size of the rabbit, anywhere from 1/4 - 1/2 cup of pellets is all that is necessary per day. Lastly, fresh greens like romaine lettuce, carrot tops, basil, and cilantro are just a few examples of fresh greens that can be given to rabbits.
Toys
Last but certainly not least, don’t forget about toys! You’ll want to make your rabbit’s new home as welcoming as possible. Providing plenty of safe toys to toss around and chew on will help ensure a smooth transition into your home for your new rabbit!
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Contributing writer: James Norton