Adding A Pet Rabbit To The Family? Pamper It With These Must-Haves
If you’re thinking about getting a pet rabbit, you’ll need to prepare for it ahead of time, just like you would with any other pet. Rabbits are great pets to have, and with proper nutrition, care, and love, they’ll be healthy and happy for years to come. To make the new addition go as smoothly as possible, here are things you should get and prepare beforehand to make your pet bunny feel right at home.
Where Will It Live?
The first thing you need to decide is where your bunny will be living in your home. A pet rabbit can live both indoors and outdoors – as long as it has shade, protection from predators, and ways to cool off where it’s hot outside. Whatever decision you make, there are a lot of different options to home your pet rabbit. If you want to have your bunny live outside, get it a nice hutch to have as a home. Take the time to see what kinds they are and choose one according to what you want to spend, how much room you have, and what kind of bunny you plan on getting.
Get It A Bed
Now that you have a home for your rabbit, the next thing you need is a place for it to sleep. Hutches and cages typically have metal or mesh bottoms, so it’s nice for your bunny to have a break on something softer. Resting spots made of natural materials are the best since they won’t harm your rabbit if they get eaten.
Potty Essentials
Having a pet rabbit comes with a lot of cleaning, there’s no doubt about it. The good news is they can be box trained with some patience. Give your rabbit a spot to do its business that will keep its paws clean and will be easy for you to clean. Wood pellets tend to help keep odors at bay. A brush set is always good to have as well.
Hay
Rabbits need a lot of hay. Hay provides the fiber they need while also maintaining proper dental care. It’s best to blend multiple types of hay for more nutritional value.
Food And Nutrition
As we’ve mentioned, hay is essential. However, it doesn’t provide all the nutrition a rabbit needs. Supplement their hay with pellet-based food, too. It’s a good idea to talk to a vet who specializes in rabbit care for their recommended blend of foods. When your rabbit is older than three months, you’ll be able to reward it for good behavior with treats. Fresh fruits and veggies are the best options, but pre-packaged options can be good too. Just be sure to research what rabbits can and can’t eat beforehand. And only introduce one new food at a time to avoid stomach problems.
Grooming
Rabbits are generally very clean animals – you’ll catch them grooming themselves often. Since a pet rabbit can’t handle hairballs the same way a cat can, brushing your rabbit is important for their health. Nails should be trimmed regularly as well, so get a good pair of nail trimmers.
