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Preparing to bring a new rabbit home

April 14, 2023

Congratulations, you have done your research and picked your new cotton bud family member, and it is time to prepare for their arrival and for a whole new adventure in life.

This is a very exciting time but possibly also an anxious one so much to consider and so much to learn. In this post, we will try to cover some of the most commonly asked questions and give you ideas and suggestions to hopefully help make this as fun and stress-free a time for you and your new friend as possible.



 How do I prepare my house for a rabbit?

  • Secure electrical cords and outlets: Rabbits love to chew on electrical cords, which can be dangerous for them and cause damage to your electronics. Cover your cords with cable protectors, move them out of reach, or place heavy furniture in front.
  • Hide or protect plants: Some plants are toxic to rabbits, so make sure to remove any poisonous plants from your home or keep them out of reach. You can also use plant stands or place them in areas that are inaccessible to your rabbit.
  • Cover baseboards and furniture legs: Rabbits may try to chew on baseboards and furniture legs, so cover them with plastic or wooden barriers to prevent damage.
  • Keep small objects out of reach: Rabbits are curious creatures and may try to chew on small objects such as jewellery, toys, or small household items. Keep these items out of reach or store them in drawers or cabinets.
  • Secure doors and windows: Rabbits can be escape artists, so make sure that doors and windows are secure and there are no holes or gaps that your rabbit can fit through.
  • Store cleaning products and chemicals safely: Keep cleaning products and chemicals out of reach of your rabbit as they can be poisonous and harmful to them.

Creating safe spaces

To corner off an area, fencing can be a great option and it can be used most outdoors too.  Rabbit play Pet and fencing for in and outdoor use  

These Yaheetech Dog Playpen, comes in packs of 8 Panel or more and comes in hights of 60cm, 80cm and 100cm. They can be used for Rabbits, guinea pigs and Dog as fence and Exercise Pen. The pen is portable and adjustable and can be used indoors and outdoors.

Small breed rabbit fence enclosure: https://amzn.to/3muFtYS

Large breed rabbit fence enclosure: https://amzn.to/3KCyDs7 

Rabbit door gate

The Baby Dan door gate is a great addition to the home just make sure to fix right down to the floor so your rabbit can not get underneath.


These are innovative Auto Retractable Stair and door Gate made in solid white PVC free plastic - Fits openings between 55-89 cm. Made in Denmark Use this link: https://amzn.to/414fRAW 

What do I need to know before bringing a rabbit home?

Bringing a rabbit into your home is a big responsibility, and it's important to be prepared to provide your new furry friend with everything they need to live a happy and healthy life. 


Here are some steps you can take when you first bring your rabbit home:

  • Provide a safe space: Set up your rabbit's housing in a quiet, safe, and secure area of your home. Give your rabbit some time to explore their new space and become familiar with their surroundings.
  • Offer food and water: Provide your rabbit with fresh water, hay, and a small amount of rabbit pellets. It's important to start your rabbit on the same brand and type of food they were eating before you brought them home, and gradually transition them to a new diet if needed.
  • Spend time with your rabbit: Spend some quiet, calm time with your rabbit to help them feel more comfortable and establish trust. Sit quietly near their housing and talk softly to them, or offer them a treat.
  • Avoid overwhelming your rabbit: Avoid overwhelming your rabbit with too much attention or activity in the first few days. Let your rabbit adjust to their new surroundings and get to know you at their own pace.
  • Observe your rabbit's behaviour: Pay attention to your rabbit's behaviour, body language, and appetite. Any changes in behaviour or appetite could be a sign of stress or illness, and it's important to address these issues as soon as possible.
  • Health care: Like all pets, rabbits need regular check-ups with a veterinarian, and they may require vaccinations or other medical treatments. Find out where your local vet is and if they offer rabbit care not all vet do.

 

To get a better understanding and as a result possibly a better relationship with your rabbit it is well worth doing some research on rabbit behaviour, have a look at this boo. And of course, it is important that you are aware of the day-to-day health care needs of your rabbit so why not check these out:

Useful books for your research

How to Look After Your Pet Rabbit


By Author: David Alderton

This is a Practical Guide to Caring for Your Pet, in Step-by-step Photographs

It is packed with information about; choosing the right rabbit, preparing a home for it, what to feed it and when, and keeping your pet healthy. You can learn about the different breeds and find out how to pick up and carry your rabbit safely.


Use this link: https://amzn.to/43BLvY7

Rabbit Behaviour, Health and Care

By Authors Marit Emilie Buseth and Richard Saunders


This book is an thorough, practical guide to understanding and caring for your rabbit. Develop an understanding of the rabbits nature, which will help you to spot normal and abnormal behaviour. Acquire essential knowledge about rabbit nutrition, dentistry and disease.


Use this link: https://amzn.to/3muFa0a

Additional litter box

Inside your rabbits cage a simple corner litter tray is a great option but you might also like to add a litter tray for when your bunny is running free. Whilst these litter boxes are usually used for cats we have found that they work great for rabbits too:

Flip tray Litter box: Simple, Elegant Hooded Litter Tray with Translucent Two-Way Flap Door. This Flip rabbit litter Tray allows you easy cleaning thanks to the flip function of the door. The deep plastic tray helps to reduce scatter and is very easy to clean. The charcoal filter helps to reduce bad smell and the translucent door guarantees privacy. The low entry allows easier access for elderle rabbit.

Use this link: https://amzn.to/41xkgwd 

By taking these steps before bringing your rabbit home, you can help your new furry friend feel comfortable and establish a strong bond with them and help ensure that they have a happy and healthy life with you. Enjoy this wonderful time of excitement and anticipation.

What do I need to put inside my rabbit’s enclosure?

When setting up your rabbit's cage, you should consider the following items:

  • Bed or Bedding: Provide your rabbit with a bed and/or soft, bedding material. Some options include paper-based products, such as recycled paper pellets or shredded paper, as well as natural materials like straw or hay.
  • Litter box: Rabbits are naturally clean animals and can be trained to use a litter box. Make sure to use a litter that is safe for rabbits, such as recycled paper or wood pellets.
  • Food and water dishes: Provide your rabbit with a sturdy food bowl and water bottle that are appropriate for their size.
  • Hay rack: Rabbits need access to hay at all times, so a hay rack is essential for keeping hay clean and easily accessible.
  • Toys: Provide your rabbit with plenty of toys to keep them mentally stimulated and entertained. Examples include chew toys, cardboard boxes, and tunnels.
  • Hideaway: Rabbits need a place to hide and feel secure. A small hut or cardboard box can provide them with a cosy spot to relax.

 

And of course, it is important to make sure to clean and sanitize your rabbit's cage regularly to prevent the build-up of bacteria and keep your rabbit healthy..

The following are the regular items we use inside our cages, after trail and error we have found them to be the most useful, durable and helpful.

Corner Rabbit Litter Tray

As mentioned above Inside your rabbit's cage a simple corner litter tray is a great option, they fit neatly and do not take up more space than needed.

Rosewood litter pans are high-backed, great value and easy to fit. They can simply sit in the corner of the pet's cage or can hook on to the supplied, easy-fit clips in wire/mesh homes. They come in two sizes: medium for dwarf rabbits and large for most other rabbits.

Use this link: https://amzn.to/3KvdzUs

Water Bottles

Finding a bottle that’s easy to attach, detach and refill as well as doesn’t drop is no easy take, but we have found these The Mualrous rabbit Water Bottles

fit the bill for us. 

Use this link: https://amzn.to/40araqb

Hay dispenser

One of the messiest parts of having rabbits is the hay, it seems to go everywhere ALL the time and many are hard to fill and not very long lasting. We were chuffed when we discovered this dispenser it fits and cage, can fit onto a rabbit fence and is machine washable and durable.


Use this link: https://amzn.to/3ofVP7T 

By taking these steps before bringing your rabbit home, you can help your new furry friend feel comfortable and establish a strong bond with them and help ensure that they have a happy and healthy life with you. Enjoy this wonderful time of excitement and anticipation.

By taking these steps before bringing your rabbit home, you can help your new furry friend feel comfortable and establish a strong bond with them and help ensure that they have a happy and healthy life with you. Enjoy this wonderful time of excitement and anticipation.


Thank you for reading this post. We hope that you found it helpful and hope to you visit this page again soon. For more information, fun facts and cute photos, please follow us on social media. 🐰

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