New to rabbits. What advice do you have for a new owner? **Pics included**

[Sandstorm495]

Daily:
Check his ears (if they are dirty, it means he is not well)
Groom him (you can also bond with him more this way)

Foods that are safe:
Carrot (Carrots are perfectly harmless to rabbits)
Lettuce - feed only in small amounts
Celery - rabbits love the leaves especially
Apples
Broccoli
Cauliflower
(etc)

Other foods include pellets (all types are safe as long as they are made for rabbits), weeds, grapes, and so on.

The set up for his cage looks fine. I wish you all the best! Please ask if you would like any more help!

 

[Pharm Girl]

Oh man, I had to worry about coccidia in the chickens. Now I have to worry about bun too?! So far he seems very healthy and cavorts around happily. I have room for bales of (oat)hay in my garage, so I'll head to the feed store and see what they have. I'm giving him free choice alfalfa and a bowl of the fancy pellets with dried bits mixed in. I know he's spoiled rotten, but all of my animals are. I love to work on animal habitats. Might have missed my calling as a zoo keeper! Here's my chicken coop. It's still there, but we aren't. We moved to a neighborhood that doesn't allow chickens--yet. Luckily the new owners of our house were jazzed about chicken keeping and took over the coop.
Thanks for all the great rabitat advice! I'm scouring craigslist for something I can convert to a summer outdoor condo for Mr. Bentley. Could be a fun winter project.

 

[Pharm Girl]

When you say 'groom him,' does that mean regular baths? He seems clean, but I'm happy to do it. I saw this video on youtube and it made us all laugh and laugh..

 

[EEchickens]

Do not let the rabbit go outside in tall grass :|.It contacts fleas and will lead to many bug bites at night.

Also do not put it directly in the sun.It will burn up.

 

[cafarmgirl]

What's wrong with plain old rabbit pellets? Am I missing something?

When you say 'groom him,' does that mean regular baths? He seems clean, but I'm happy to do it. I saw this video on youtube and it made us all laugh and laugh..

There's nothing wrong with rabbit pellets and they certainly should be a part of a rabbits diet. But hay provides the unprocessed, longer strand fiber which is very beneficial to rabbits. They can certainly live without hay but I've had much better luck avoiding GI issues by feeding unlimited grass hay with a small amount of pellets each evening.

And no, no regular baths for a rabbit. Once they are wet to the skin their fur is very hard to dry and they can get chilled easily. I have never bathed mine at all. Brushing is best, especially when they are shedding. Overall they are very clean animals. If fleas are a worry you can use Advantage for kittens on your rabbits.

 

[Sandstorm495]

When you say 'groom him,' does that mean regular baths? He seems clean, but I'm happy to do it. I saw this video on youtube and it made us all laugh and laugh..

Not baths, just regular brushing.

 

[Sandstorm495]

Do not let the rabbit go outside in tall grass :|.It contacts fleas and will lead to many bug bites at night.

Also do not put it directly in the sun.It will burn up.

As far I know, that information is not entirely true. It's best if rabbits have shade in their cage\run, but that doesn't go to say they can't survive in the sun. Just be careful never to leave a rabbit in the sun in a confined area. They will get sunstroke without shade and water.

 

[cafarmgirl]

Temperature is relevant in regards to sun exposure. Rabbits do not handle heat well at all so obviously in hot weather they need constant access to shade. But given the opportunity rabbits enjoy a little sun just like any other creature. Part of my rabbit pens get some sun every day and they both will find a sunny spot to soak up some rays each day, especially in winter. As with anything, common sense is key!

 

[Pharm Girl]

We have a dreadfully shady back yard. Some areas never see the sunlight. I would never let a rabbit die of heat stroke confined in the sun, but I know many others that have. Live and learn I guess! The Pacific NW is a very moderate climate. Rarely too hot or too cold, so during the summer, a rabbit should be fine outside most of the time in shade. On those 2-5 100 degree days we get, I would probably just bring him inside the air conditioned house or back to his garage pen.
Having had chickens, I'm VERY well rehearsed in how to keep them safe from raccoons and coyotes in outdoor enclosures. Hardware cloth only! I'm getting my creative juices flowing and going to come up with something fun for Mr. Frank B.
Loving all the advice and taking it to heart!

 

[Sandstorm495]

I live in a hot climate, in Northern Australia, and my rabbits are subject to a lot of heat. However, there are trees and bushes around the house where they can relax and cool off in the shade. They don't mind the heat as long as they have shaded areas. Yes, common sense is always helpful!