Rabbit!

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sammyroo

sammyroo

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Sorry this is a bit off-topic for the piggy forum, but I have just taken in a rabbit whose owner was no longer able to care for him.
Although I'm an experienced piggy-owner, I've never had a rabbit before, so I'm looking for a few pointers on anything I need to watch for which is different from what I'm used to with pigs.

He has an indoor cage similar size to the one I use for two pigs. He has not been used to having any time outdoors but has regular indoor floor time. Should I stick with this rather than attempting to get him a garden run for good weather? (I've heard that rabbits can escape from outdoor runs by burrowing under the sides -?)
Is there any way in which his fresh veg diet will differ from what I give my pigs? He already has hay, a rabbit dry mix, and has been eating carrots and dandelions.

Anything else I need to know? I'm not sure yet whether this will turn out to be a temporary foster or a permanent adoption.

Thanks for your help!
 
Hi Sammy,

I have four rabbits and they do differ from guineas. When you introduce veggies do it slowly, like one a week. I wouldn't feed lettuce, they do like greens and lots of hay and grass.

I never have a problem with my rabbits burrowing out and they do enjoy the time on the grass.But for now I would stick to his routine and see how he settles in.

Have you looked on Rabbits United? There is loads of info there on care and diet, its worth a look. :) I didn't have a clue when I got Tika but you learn as you go along!

Good luck with him!

Louise
 
well done for taking the bun. :)

rabbits need a cage/hutch that is 6ft x 2ft x 2ft with an attached run or play area. my two have an indoor nic cage and have the run of the downstairs. (mine don't chew everything but some do - wallpaper, carpet etc!)

the main diet for a rabbit is the same as pigs, around 80-90% good quality dust free hay. the rest is vegetables/grass/herbs and only a small amount of pellets, about half an egg cup a day. they don't need more than this. obviously fresh water aswell!

any food must be introduced one at a time and gradually over about 7-10 days or until you are sure it isn't causing any loose stools. then when you're sure it's ok, move onto the next one. the bun will be fine with lots of hay as you're introducing the different veg.

veg wise, don't feed lettuce. carrots are full of sugar and fattening so don't feed too much of them. things like cauliflower, broccoli, kale can cause dodgy tums in some buns so take care if you introduce these. as a guide for you, mine have savoy cabbage, broccoli, carrot, spring greens, parsley and a little bit of apple occasionally as a treat. my two are fussy though so there's lots of things you could try and they might like. :)

avoid too much fruit. limit to maybe once a week as a treat.

the bun can go out on the grass but i'd wait a bit and get the diet sorted first as grass also has to be introduced gradually aswell. one thing at a time so you know straight away what causing any problems should the bun get any.

the other thing is to find a rabbit vet before you should ever need one. do you know if the bun has been neutered and vaccinated? if not, then this needs to be done aswell. myxomatosis 6 monthly and vhd annually. also, consider getting your bun a friend in the future as they are much happier with company of their own kind, much like piggies really. :)

one last thing, give plenty of love and attention and enjoy your new bun. :)

oh yeh, and join rabbits united forum. they're great on there and the advice they give is brilliant. i'm on there aswell. :)

i've just covered the basics here but there's lots to learn so join the forum! :)
 
Thank you all for your help. I was quite worried when I first got him because he just sat in a corner of his cage and didn't do anything, but he seems much happier now. He has been enjoying his floor time and I've tried him on some broccoli stem, which he liked.

We've re-named him Bernie (previous name was Thumper, which I really couldn't persuade myself to like!). He's very cute - brown with one white sock and a dark 'mask' rather like a Siamese cat's.x)
 
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