*You can find all of the recommended products on my Bunny Checklist page*
We offer a naturally healthy bunny starter kit for purchase! Enjoy the convenience and peace of mind knowing your bunny has everything they need to go home with. Items included are the premium Sherwood pellets, Small Pet Select hair buster comb, Small Pet Select orchard/timothy hay, Sherwood digestive support treats, Small Pet Select toys, and a sample size of Small Pet Select pine pellet litter. Kits are available for pick up with your new bunny. If you’d like to order the kit please contact us at least 2 weeks prior to your scheduled pick up date.
We are proud to carry homemade organic cilantro oat bunny treats from Frankie and Friends! We can ship anywhere in the US! If you are adopting a bunny from us we can bring them at pick up day! Text us at 6302024379 to order, your bunny will thank you!
Pellets
Your bunny should get 1/2 cup of Sherwood pellets everyday. Try to stick to the same feeding time everyday to get your bunny in a routine. It's very important to choose a rabbit feed that doesn't have any corn, seeds, dried fruits, veggies, grains or soy in it. 99% of pet store rabbit pellets contain at least 1 of these ingredients and they are NOT healthy for your bunny. Soy, grains and seeds are extremely inflammatory to a rabbit’s digestive system and can cause a lot of health issues. I HIGHLY recommend Sherwood brand! They are the best brand on the market and will keep your bunny healthy and happy. If you adopted from us, this is the brand your bunny is used to eating and I HIGHLY recommend keeping them on it. Bunnies have VERY sensitive digestive systems and switching their diet can potentially cause a lot of health issues like GI Stasis which can be fatal. You can order Sherwood pellets online for a great price and convenient shipping. Please make sure you order the correct pellets from Sherwood, not from Small Pet Select. I’ve had a couple people get confused and order the pellets from Small Pet select which is the company I use for hay. Your bunny will also need lots of fresh water daily. I use reverse osmosis filtered water for my bunnies but any filtered water is great. My bunnies are used to using water bottles, but you may switch to a water dish if you wish. Just be sure to keep it filled with fresh water.
Hay
Hay should make up the bulk of your bunnies diet. This is very important! The fiber helps keep their digestive system running smoothly and chewing the hay keeps their teeth trimmed. Give unlimited amounts everyday to keep your bunny healthy and happy. All of my bunnies are given orchard hay and timothy hay (2nd and 3rd cut) from Small Pet Select. You can order this online and they conveniently ship to your home. Small Pet Select is much more cost effective than the small, expensive bags at the pet store. It’s also always super fresh and green, unlike pet store hay which often sits on the shelves for over a year and some even contain mites! Click here or use our discount code: REF-AIMEES for 15% off your entire order!
Veggies
Veggies should be considered a treat for your bunny. Some bunnies tolerate veggies well, others not so much. You will need to SLOWLY introduce veggies to baby bunnies in very small amounts when they are about 3-4 months old. Start with a piece of leafy greens the size of your thumb. I give my bunnies spinach, mixed greens, romaine, basil, parsley, cilantro, kale, etc. DO NOT feed iceberg lettuce as this causes diarrhea. Organic dark leafy greens are best. Stay away from cruciferous veggies like broccoli and cabbage as they cause gas. I recommend no fruit in their diet. This may seem extreme but too much sugar can disrupt a bunnies gut health very quickly and can possibly cause problems like GI stasis or diarrhea, which can be fatal. When your new bunny comes home, wait atleast a month (3 months of age) and then you may SLOWLY begin to introduce fresh greens to their diet. Please keep in mind that hay should still be the bulk of their diet and given in unlimited amounts everyday. If you notice your bunny isn’t eating as much hay, cut out veggies for a bit. Please monitor their poop very closely when adding veggies to their diets. If you notice watery/loose stools or if they have not pooped, or stopped eating/drinking in over 12 hours, take them to the vet immediately as this can be very serious and even life threatening. The key is to introduce the new foods very slowly and in small amounts so you don’t upset their digestive system.
Treats and Supplements
I give a pinch of raw organic old fashioned rolled oats to my bunnies every morning with their pellets. Babies may have oats as well. Try not to give more than a teaspoon a day as they are higher in calories and can cause weight gain. Make sure it is not the instant or flavored kind. Oats are a great way to bond with your bunny during play time too! My bunnies take them right from my hand! Sherwood makes great Herbal Supplement Tablets that I use as well. They help keep your bunny in tip top shape! Feeding directions for those are on the packages. These can also be ordered online when you order your pellets from Sherwood. Please DO NOT give your bunny salt licks, yogurt drops or any treats like that from the pet store as these are not healthy. Small Pet Select makes treats that are healthy and tasty! I also give all of my bunnies 1 teaspoon of Raw Unfiltered Organic Apple Cider Vinegar in their water bottles daily for 2 weeks on, then 2 weeks off. They absolutely love it and it has many health benefits for them. It can improve digestion, regulate pH, prevent urinary tract infections and increase nutrient absorption. I use the Bragg’s Apple Cider Vinegar with the “Mother”.
Your bunny should get 1/2 cup of Sherwood pellets everyday. Try to stick to the same feeding time everyday to get your bunny in a routine. It's very important to choose a rabbit feed that doesn't have any corn, seeds, dried fruits, veggies, grains or soy in it. 99% of pet store rabbit pellets contain at least 1 of these ingredients and they are NOT healthy for your bunny. Soy, grains and seeds are extremely inflammatory to a rabbit’s digestive system and can cause a lot of health issues. I HIGHLY recommend Sherwood brand! They are the best brand on the market and will keep your bunny healthy and happy. If you adopted from us, this is the brand your bunny is used to eating and I HIGHLY recommend keeping them on it. Bunnies have VERY sensitive digestive systems and switching their diet can potentially cause a lot of health issues like GI Stasis which can be fatal. You can order Sherwood pellets online for a great price and convenient shipping. Please make sure you order the correct pellets from Sherwood, not from Small Pet Select. I’ve had a couple people get confused and order the pellets from Small Pet select which is the company I use for hay. Your bunny will also need lots of fresh water daily. I use reverse osmosis filtered water for my bunnies but any filtered water is great. My bunnies are used to using water bottles, but you may switch to a water dish if you wish. Just be sure to keep it filled with fresh water.
Hay
Hay should make up the bulk of your bunnies diet. This is very important! The fiber helps keep their digestive system running smoothly and chewing the hay keeps their teeth trimmed. Give unlimited amounts everyday to keep your bunny healthy and happy. All of my bunnies are given orchard hay and timothy hay (2nd and 3rd cut) from Small Pet Select. You can order this online and they conveniently ship to your home. Small Pet Select is much more cost effective than the small, expensive bags at the pet store. It’s also always super fresh and green, unlike pet store hay which often sits on the shelves for over a year and some even contain mites! Click here or use our discount code: REF-AIMEES for 15% off your entire order!
Veggies
Veggies should be considered a treat for your bunny. Some bunnies tolerate veggies well, others not so much. You will need to SLOWLY introduce veggies to baby bunnies in very small amounts when they are about 3-4 months old. Start with a piece of leafy greens the size of your thumb. I give my bunnies spinach, mixed greens, romaine, basil, parsley, cilantro, kale, etc. DO NOT feed iceberg lettuce as this causes diarrhea. Organic dark leafy greens are best. Stay away from cruciferous veggies like broccoli and cabbage as they cause gas. I recommend no fruit in their diet. This may seem extreme but too much sugar can disrupt a bunnies gut health very quickly and can possibly cause problems like GI stasis or diarrhea, which can be fatal. When your new bunny comes home, wait atleast a month (3 months of age) and then you may SLOWLY begin to introduce fresh greens to their diet. Please keep in mind that hay should still be the bulk of their diet and given in unlimited amounts everyday. If you notice your bunny isn’t eating as much hay, cut out veggies for a bit. Please monitor their poop very closely when adding veggies to their diets. If you notice watery/loose stools or if they have not pooped, or stopped eating/drinking in over 12 hours, take them to the vet immediately as this can be very serious and even life threatening. The key is to introduce the new foods very slowly and in small amounts so you don’t upset their digestive system.
Treats and Supplements
I give a pinch of raw organic old fashioned rolled oats to my bunnies every morning with their pellets. Babies may have oats as well. Try not to give more than a teaspoon a day as they are higher in calories and can cause weight gain. Make sure it is not the instant or flavored kind. Oats are a great way to bond with your bunny during play time too! My bunnies take them right from my hand! Sherwood makes great Herbal Supplement Tablets that I use as well. They help keep your bunny in tip top shape! Feeding directions for those are on the packages. These can also be ordered online when you order your pellets from Sherwood. Please DO NOT give your bunny salt licks, yogurt drops or any treats like that from the pet store as these are not healthy. Small Pet Select makes treats that are healthy and tasty! I also give all of my bunnies 1 teaspoon of Raw Unfiltered Organic Apple Cider Vinegar in their water bottles daily for 2 weeks on, then 2 weeks off. They absolutely love it and it has many health benefits for them. It can improve digestion, regulate pH, prevent urinary tract infections and increase nutrient absorption. I use the Bragg’s Apple Cider Vinegar with the “Mother”.
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You should provide a large living area for your bunny so he/she has plenty of room to move around while you're not home. The bigger the better! Please do not buy the tiny rabbit cages you find in pet stores! Bunnies needs lots of space to hop around and stretch their legs. I DO NOT recommend hutches for bunnies! They are way too small, very hard to keep clean, and have poor ventilation. Play pens make great set ups for bunnies! Please do not house your bunny outside as you cannot control their climate and this is dangerous for them! If you choose to let your bunny free roam in your home be sure to completely bunny proof your entire home. Watch out for cords or things that could fall on your bunny. They like to chew so be careful if you have wood furniture and make sure any house plants you may have are safe. Please be prepared for potty accidents. If you are looking for a strictly litter trained animal then a bunny may not be right for you. If you need to use a cage for your bunny I recommend the Midwest Wabbitat Deluxe Home! Make sure you get the extra large 47x24 model with the extension kit! Be sure to empty, sanitize and rinse the cage out with hot water at least once a week. The water bottle that it comes with it DOES NOT WORK WELL, please order the Me and You Water Bottle. I have tried several other water bottles and these are the only ones that haven’t leaked into the cages. Every time you fill your bunny’s water bottle, gently tap the metal ball on the spout to make sure water is coming out and your bunny can get something to drink. You may also use a bowl for your bunnies water, just be sure to keep it fresh and filled. Use your best judgement and decide what is best for your set up. You will need to buy a hay rack as well. Hay racks keep the hay off the bottom of the cage/floor and free of your rabbits waste. There are many different options for food bowls but I recommend something heavy so it can't be spilled. If you want a crock that attaches to the side of the cage I recommend the Living World Crock in the 20 oz. size. I like these because they help prevent waste. You will want to get your bunny a Jumbo Litter box as well. The small one is not big enough for your bunny, so please get the jumbo size. Cat litter boxes also work well, just be sure to get one that isn't covered or one that has a door. The litter box should be cleaned out daily. Please do not use newspaper, cat litter or puppy pads in your bunnies cage/litter box! Pine pellets is the best litter for bunnies. You can buy these from Small Pet Select or your local Tractor Supply. If you decide to use a play pen for your bunny's home I have some great products linked on my bunny checklist page. Be sure to consider a floor covering as well! Check out the example pictures above as well! Please allow a daily minimum of 2 hours of supervised exercise/playtime for your bunny. This is a great way to bond with your bunny too! If you plan to take your bunny outside in a play pen please keep in mind bunnies do NOT tolerate heat well! They can quickly experience heat stroke and it can be fatal! Provide plenty of shade and cool water, but on extra hot days above 75-80 degrees keep them inside! Bunnies do well in colder weather and can go outside to play if it’s above freezing. Also be sure that the grass does not have fertilizer or chemicals on it. Keep an eye out for birds and other animals that may harm your bunny. Never leave them unsupervised.
Please understand that bunnies are ground dwelling prey animals, which means they don’t really enjoy being held or picked up. This is not because they aren't friendly or socialized, it’s because it scares them. Consider this information when deciding if a bunny is the right pet for you . If you are looking for a cuddly animal that you can carry around, a kitten or puppy may be a better choice for you. Obviously you will need to be able to pick up your bunny to take them in and out of their cage and to place them in their carrier if they need to go to the vet or travel. The safest way to handle your bunny is to pick them up from the side so they can see you coming and don’t get startled. Bunnies have a blind spot directly in front of them, so approaching from that angle isn’t ideal. Hold them firmly in your arms almost like a football, supporting their back legs and upper body. Bunnies have very delicate spines so if they kick too hard while struggling to get away, they can actually break their backs or fall to the ground and severely hurt themselves. Help younger children to take the bunny in and out of the cage. NEVER pick up a bunny by their ears or scruff. If you want to hold your bunny for some snuggles, the best way is to sit down on the ground and have them on your lap. This way, if they decide they’re done cuddling and jump away, they are close to the ground and won’t get hurt. Please also be careful as their nails can get sharp and you may get scratched on accident. If you have an accident with handling your bunny please call your vet right away to determine your next course of action.
If you are going with a solid bottom cage I personally do not recommend using any bedding in the bottom of your cage for a couple of different reasons. I find it to be extremely unsanitary and frankly a waste of money. Through my years of experience I have found that if you want to litter train your bunny in a solid bottom cage, it is best to put litter/bedding in the litter pan only. Otherwise they will get confused and use the bedding on the cage floor as a toilet. They will end up sitting in their waste and can get sick. For litter I use an all natural pine pellet bedding from Small Pet Select in the bottom of the litter pans only. This greatly reduces the smell and helps keep things fresh. Please do not use newspaper, the ink is toxic and stains your bunnies fur. Stay away from cat litter and puppy pads as these are dangerous to your bunny. I do not recommend pine or cedar shavings as they have been known to cause respiratory problems in rabbits. Place the litter pan with your litter of choice in the corner of your bunnies cage/set up. If you notice they are going in a particular corner, scoop up some of their poop, place it in the litter pan and put the litter pan in that specific corner. Your bunny should quickly learn that this is where they need to go potty. Your bunny may prefer to have 2 litter boxes in their cage. If you notice they’re going in the litter box and also in another corner of the cage, try putting a second litter box in that corner as well. All of my babies are started on potty training from birth so when they go to their new homes they are usually almost fully litter trained IN THEIR CAGES. When your bunny is out for exercise or if you decide to let them free roam your home, you’ll want to limit their free roam space in the beginning to get them acclimated to their new area. Buying a puppy pen to confine them in one area is a good idea. As they are progressing in their training, you can open their space up more until they are fully potty trained. Some families have multiple litter boxes depending on how big of a space they have to run around in. Consistency and patience is the key. Fixing your bunny at 6 months of age will DRASTICALLY help with litter training as well. When it comes to litter training your bunny, it is very important to have realistic expectations. Some bunnies do great with it, others never really fully catch on. They are not like cats, and even after being fixed you will probably still find stray poops here and there. Bunnies can poop anywhere from 200-300 poop pellets a day! If you can't handle keeping up with cleaning and vacuuming, please consider a different pet. Be sure to empty, sanitize and rinse out the litter pan with hot water every day. I give some of my bunnies fleece blankets that I hand make for the bottom of their cages. These are only for my bunnies that I know for sure do not chew them. You can try giving your bunny a fleece blanket or an old towel for the bottom of the cage. However, keep a very close eye on them and make sure they are not chewing it up. The fibers can get stuck in their digestive system and they can get a blockage which is life threatening. If your bunny is chewing the fleece/towel just get rid of it. It’s not worth your bunny having to get an expensive surgery or even worse, passing away.
If you plan to have your bunny outside it's a good idea to de-worm them. It’s very common for bunnies to pick up things like pinworms when outside in the grass. Please discuss de-worming with your vet. I use the Safeguard Equibits from Amazon for all of my bunnies OVER 6 MONTHS OLD. I de-worm them twice a year usually in the Spring and Fall. I give my bunnies 3 single pellets per bunny for 3 days straight. The EquiBits pellets are easy to administer and most bunnies seem to approve of the taste. I also use Grapefruit Seed Extract as an all natural preventative. You can do 2-3 drops in a 32 ounce water bottle for 2 weeks straight every 90 days. I am not a vet, these are just the things I do for my own bunnies. Please consult your vet for your bunnies specific needs.
Bunnies are very sensitive so it’s important to use safe and non toxic cleaning supplies when sanitizing their cages, litter pans, and toys. I like to use the brand Seventh Generation for sanitizing my cages and litter pans. To clean their water bottles and crocks I use some vinegar and hot water. Be sure to rinse everything thoroughly with hot water. Never use bleach or any other harsh chemicals to clean. It’s also important to make sure you don’t spray any harsh air fresheners in a bunnies area or have strong candles/incense/essential oils burning. A well ventilated area with fresh air is best.
When you first take your bunny home it is very important to give them some time to adjust. Let the bunny get used to the new sounds, smells and you. Too much stress can be fatal for bunnies so take it slow! Keep a close eye on your new bunny and make sure they are eating and drinking within 24 hours of bringing them home. Make sure they are not having any watery stools and that they are pooping and peeing regularly. Your bunny will need to be brushed weekly and have his/her nails trimmed every 6-8 weeks. When cutting your bunnies nails be sure not to cut past the pink quick inside the nail or it will bleed. Have styptic powder on hand to stop the bleeding incase you have an accident. I use cat nail clippers and the Small Pet Select Hair Buster Comb for all of my bunnies. If you don’t feel comfortable trimming their nails, your vet can do this for you. Bunnies typically molt (shed) two times a year so be prepared to groom more often during those times. Bunnies bathe themselves just like cats, so during a molt you’ll need to brush them everyday to prevent them from getting fur stuck in their digestive track. Bunnies cannot physically vomit so hair can get caught and create a blockage. This can cause GI stasis and is serious. Your bunny should NEVER get a bath as this can be fatally stressful for him/her. Rabbits lick themselves to get clean so please do not use dry shampoo or anything of the sort. If you do need to spot wash their bottom because it gets soiled, make sure you dry them completely afterwards and never submerge them in water. Use a warm wash cloth or non toxic unscented baby wipes. Be sure to check your bunnies teeth every so often to make sure they are not overgrown. Please take your bunny to the vet right away if you notice any teeth abnormalities or if they stop eating and drinking! It is a good idea to take your bunny in for a yearly check up with a rabbit savvy vet. Some signs you may need to take your rabbit to the vet are watery diarrhea (not to be confused with cecotropes which are sticky, blackberry looking poops. These are normal and are a sign of a healthy digestive system), not eating/drinking, staying in a hunched over position, teeth grinding, lethargy, loss of balance or head tilt, wheezing/labored breathing and patches of missing fur. You may want to consider getting your rabbit spayed or neutered when they reach 6 months of age. This will DRASTICALLY help with their temperament and litter training. It also helps to reduce/eliminate hormonal behaviors that often start around 4-5 months of age such as lunging, nipping, digging, etc. Talk with your vet and decide what's best for you and your bunny.
Bunnies need toys to play with to keep them from getting bored. I use the large dog/cat balls from the dollar store. They are inexpensive, easy to clean, and the bunnies love them. I also save toilet paper and paper towel rolls to make toys. I stuff them with timothy grass hay or orchard hay and put them in their cages. The bunnies love these and it's a great way to give them their hay. Woven grass balls and non-toxic wooden toys from Small Pet Select are great options as well. Check out my link below for a special discount on bunny toys!
Please make sure your other pets are supervised around your new bunny. I have 3 small dogs and a cat so my bunnies are exposed to other animals before they go to their new homes. However, if you have bigger dogs or dogs/cats with higher prey drives, they might make your new bunny uneasy so just keep an eye out for that. People often ask me if they should get 2 bunnies or if they can introduce a new bunny in the future. Bunnies can do just fine on their own as long as they get regular love and attention from their owners. Many people think they can simply bring home a second bunny and just stick them together and they will become best friends. This couldn't be further from the truth. It can be very difficult to bond two rabbits and it does require a lot of patience, caution and time. This is especially true if they are from different litters or there's a difference in age. Bunnies are territorial animals and will fight if put together when they are not properly bonded. If you want to get a second bunny in the future, your best bet is to make sure both bunnies are caged separately and are fixed before you even think of introducing them. Wait until both bunnies have been fixed for a month or so and have had time to fully heal and let the hormones subside. It's best to put their cages next to each other during this time so they can get used to seeing and smelling each other. Make sure they aren’t so close that they can bite each other through the bars. It also helps to periodically switch the bunnies cages so they get used to smelling the other bunny in their territory. After they have fully healed, start the bonding process in a neutral area such as a bathroom and GO SLOW. Start with 5-10 minutes a day so they don't get too stressed. Please note that some dominating behaviors are normal like humping, circling or "chinning" (this is when a rabbit marks the other bunny by rubbing their chin on them). Give the bunnies a little space to feel each other out but stay close enough that if it turns into biting or chasing you can break it up immediately. YouTube has some great videos to help learn how to bond your bunnies. Keep in mind, rabbits have different personalities so some may bond right away and others may take some time or never quite get there. Never leave your bunnies alone together until you are certain they are fully bonded.