New Bunny Information
Back You purchased a new bunny - Now what do you do??????
***** Feeding Instructions: We Feed Purina Show feed.
1. Please try to keep your bunny on the same feed, I feed Purina Show pellets. I highly stress this because abrupt changes in feed can cause an upset stomach in bunnies and is not worth the health risk to your new bunny. Changing feed too quickly can cause diarrhea and/or death. All rabbits are sent with several days’ supply of my feed, which will allow time for you to obtain more of the same feed or I may have 50 pound bags available for Sale. To find a dealer near you please call 1-800-227-8941 or visit www.rabbitchow.com.
2. When changing feed, mix equal parts of original feed with Old Fashioned Quaker Oats Oatmeal and new feed. Gradually increase new feed & decrease original feed. Withdraw new feed completely if there is any sign of diarrhea and replace with only oatmeal and timothy hay until stools return to normal. If YOUR BUNNY GETS Diarrhea, this is very SERIOUS and could kill your bunny quickly. Please watch your bunny closely and Make sure they have unlimited timothy hay and old fashioned oatmeal and put pedialyte in their water bottle to help keep them hydrated, Then reintroduce mixed feed very gradually. Please call us ASAP if your bunny is showing any signs of sickness so we can offer you our advice (970)-393-0474.
3. Free feed babies less than 6 months old. At 6 months decrease feed to ½ cup.
Basic adult ration: 1 oz. per pound of adult body weight. During extreme cold weather, outdoor rabbits ration may be increased by half. Always keep fresh water available for them at ALL times, especially in the winter.
4. We recommend that you feed fresh Timothy hay or grass (coastal) hay at all times as it helps to aid their digestion. Note that we raise dwarf rabbits and their systems are fragile and cannot handle the richness of Alfalfa hay so only use timothy or grass hay. We do not recommend feeding fruits and vegetables without researching - some are known to kill rabbits. We do feed a conditioning whole grain mix and/or
oat meal as a treat every other day.
**** DO NOT FEED Bunnies under 6 months old Fruits and Veggies. This can kill your BUNNY!!!!!!! If you decide to feed fruits and vegetables make sure it is not until your bunny is at least 6 months old because before they reach this age they are unable to digest fruits and veggies properly. Introduce fruits and veggies one at a time and in small quantities. Be AWARE Not all fruits and vegetables are safe for your bunny and some are toxic and could kill your bunny, so do your homework first.
***Rabbit Supplies you will need
********Cage Recommendations
We always recommend cages with wire-grid floors and pull-out pans. They are very easy to keep clean. You'll also want to put something in the cage so your bun can rest his/her feet from the wire.
****Care of your new bunny**
We suggest that the first few days home with your bunny to keep it low key and not too stressful. This is a hard time for your bunny. We recommend not holding the bunny more than a couple times a day the first few days and to keep holding and playing with your new bunny to no more than a half an hour at one time. Never leave children, or other animals unsupervised with your new bunny as they are so fragile and disaster can happen quickly. We also recommend that smaller children only hold the bunnies on the ground and do not carry them around because one accidental drop could really injure your new bunny and would be such heartbreak for a child, so please use caution. Good luck! Bunnies are so much fun and have brought such joy, peace, and serenity into our lives we hope they will do the same for your family. Any questions or concerns please feel free at anytime to contact us. We love to talk bunny! We wish you the best of luck!
Thanks for purchasing a bunny from Southern Blue Belles Rabbitry!
Love, The Ellis Family
Back You purchased a new bunny - Now what do you do??????
***** Feeding Instructions: We Feed Purina Show feed.
1. Please try to keep your bunny on the same feed, I feed Purina Show pellets. I highly stress this because abrupt changes in feed can cause an upset stomach in bunnies and is not worth the health risk to your new bunny. Changing feed too quickly can cause diarrhea and/or death. All rabbits are sent with several days’ supply of my feed, which will allow time for you to obtain more of the same feed or I may have 50 pound bags available for Sale. To find a dealer near you please call 1-800-227-8941 or visit www.rabbitchow.com.
2. When changing feed, mix equal parts of original feed with Old Fashioned Quaker Oats Oatmeal and new feed. Gradually increase new feed & decrease original feed. Withdraw new feed completely if there is any sign of diarrhea and replace with only oatmeal and timothy hay until stools return to normal. If YOUR BUNNY GETS Diarrhea, this is very SERIOUS and could kill your bunny quickly. Please watch your bunny closely and Make sure they have unlimited timothy hay and old fashioned oatmeal and put pedialyte in their water bottle to help keep them hydrated, Then reintroduce mixed feed very gradually. Please call us ASAP if your bunny is showing any signs of sickness so we can offer you our advice (970)-393-0474.
3. Free feed babies less than 6 months old. At 6 months decrease feed to ½ cup.
Basic adult ration: 1 oz. per pound of adult body weight. During extreme cold weather, outdoor rabbits ration may be increased by half. Always keep fresh water available for them at ALL times, especially in the winter.
4. We recommend that you feed fresh Timothy hay or grass (coastal) hay at all times as it helps to aid their digestion. Note that we raise dwarf rabbits and their systems are fragile and cannot handle the richness of Alfalfa hay so only use timothy or grass hay. We do not recommend feeding fruits and vegetables without researching - some are known to kill rabbits. We do feed a conditioning whole grain mix and/or
oat meal as a treat every other day.
**** DO NOT FEED Bunnies under 6 months old Fruits and Veggies. This can kill your BUNNY!!!!!!! If you decide to feed fruits and vegetables make sure it is not until your bunny is at least 6 months old because before they reach this age they are unable to digest fruits and veggies properly. Introduce fruits and veggies one at a time and in small quantities. Be AWARE Not all fruits and vegetables are safe for your bunny and some are toxic and could kill your bunny, so do your homework first.
***Rabbit Supplies you will need
- Cage or rabbit hutch
- Water bowl or water bottle or both (Water bowl need to clip to cage or be heavy so your bunny does not tip it over).
- Food Dish
- Rabbit pellet feed (we recommend Purina show pellets)
- Timothy hay (available at Wal-Mart or for much more reasonable from local feed stores)
- A piece of a 2/4 wood for chewing to keep teeth healthy
- Wood or paper bedding Pine shavings work great!!!! (Must be non-aromatic, such as Aspen or Care Fresh; do not use Cedar ~~Cedar is toxic if eaten!)
- Litter pan for rabbits (optional)
- Baking soda for deodorizing cage tray or litter box (optional)
- White vinegar, Vanodine, and/or other pet safe cage cleaner
- Slicker brush for grooming
- Pet nail clippers
- Toys (a great toy is to use empty toilet paper rolls and stuff with hay for hours of entertainment) Our bunnies also love the plastic whoffle balls with holes to toss around~ Remember Bunnies love to play!!!
********Cage Recommendations
We always recommend cages with wire-grid floors and pull-out pans. They are very easy to keep clean. You'll also want to put something in the cage so your bun can rest his/her feet from the wire.
****Care of your new bunny**
We suggest that the first few days home with your bunny to keep it low key and not too stressful. This is a hard time for your bunny. We recommend not holding the bunny more than a couple times a day the first few days and to keep holding and playing with your new bunny to no more than a half an hour at one time. Never leave children, or other animals unsupervised with your new bunny as they are so fragile and disaster can happen quickly. We also recommend that smaller children only hold the bunnies on the ground and do not carry them around because one accidental drop could really injure your new bunny and would be such heartbreak for a child, so please use caution. Good luck! Bunnies are so much fun and have brought such joy, peace, and serenity into our lives we hope they will do the same for your family. Any questions or concerns please feel free at anytime to contact us. We love to talk bunny! We wish you the best of luck!
Thanks for purchasing a bunny from Southern Blue Belles Rabbitry!
Love, The Ellis Family