Bunny Checklist
Pellets: I give my bunnies 1/2 cup of Sherwood pellets a day. I HIGHLY recommend sticking with the Sherwood brand. It is the best quality pellet on the market and switching a bunnies diet can potentially cause severe health issues or even be fatal. I DO NOT recommend any other brands or pellets with dried fruits and veggies in them. Sherwood pellets are premium quality pellets and are grain and soy free. They are naturally healthy for your bunny and don't contain any junk fillers.
Sherwood pictured left. Pet store brand pictured right.
Timothy hay: Bunnies should have UNLIMITED amounts of Timothy grass hay all day, everyday. Hay should make up the bulk of their diet. I highly recommend the brand Small Pet Select. I love this hay because it is always fresh and easy to order online. I use the 2nd and 3rd cut timothy hay for all of my buns. I don't recommend alfalfa hay because it is very rich and is already in the sherwood pellets. I do not recommend the pet store brands as most contain old hay and some have even been found to contain mites. I also use Orchard hay as a treat in my rabbitry. Click below for 15% off your Small Pet Select order!
Oats: Oats are a great way to bond with your bunny. I give mine up to a teaspoon a day. Please see Bunny Care Info page for more on oats.
Litter pan with grate over top: Make sure you get the Jumbo Litter Pan with a grate over the top so they are not stepping in their waste. It's important to dump and sanitize your bunnies litter pan everyday or every other day.
Exercise pen: I buy two of the Frisco Dog Play Pens and just connect them. It gives your bunny lots of space to stretch his legs. You can put it on the grass outside, on a porch, or set up somewhere in your home. DO NOT put your bunnies in the grass if your yard has been treated with chemicals. Make sure you provide shade and cold water for your bunny if it's sunny or hot outside. Bunnies can overheat very easily and it can be fatal. Be sure to keep an eye out for birds too! If you are setting up the play pen inside, consider putting something down to protect your flooring. We use the Resilia Mats from amazon. Your bunny will need at least 2-3 hours a day of exercise and play time.
This is how we set up our play pen.
Food Crock: I use the Lixit Quick Lock Crocks because they help prevent waste and they secure to the side of the cages nicely.
Hay Bin/Bag: You will need something to give your bunny hay in so it stays off of the ground and free of germs. I love the cuteNfuzzy hay bags from amazon. They attach easily to just about any type of set up. Most bunnies won’t try chewing them but it is possible, so please check the bag often and be sure your bunny is not chewing it. If they are, you can try a plastic hay bin from amazon as well.
Bedding/Litter: If you decide to house your bunny in a solid bottom cage you may choose to use bedding. I highly recommend the Soft Paper Bedding from Small Pet Select if you do. However, bedding is NOT necessary and we do not use any in our rabbitry. We use handmade fleece blankets (be sure your bunny is not chewing them as the fibers can cause an obstruction in their gut which is very serious and often fatal) Please do not use scented bedding, wood shavings, cat litter or puppy pads. The use of bedding in the bottom of cage can slow down potty training so keep that in mind. Check out my FAQ Page for more info on potty training. I currently use pine pellet bedding from Small Pet Select in the litter boxes only.
Herbal Blends: Give your rabbit a whole meadow with Small Pet Select Herbal Blends! These blends are full of nutritional benefits for your bun! Small Pet Select offers a huge variety! Click below for my special discount of 15% off Herbal Blends!
Toys: Your bunny will need lots of toys to keep from being bored and to give mental stimulation. Small Pet Select has such a great selection of bunny toys! They are all natural and safe for your bunny friend.
Water bottle: I use this water bottle for all of my bunnies. Make sure you get the large (32 oz). I like water bottles better than bowls because they are less messy and more sanitary. Bunnies will often step in their water bowls and get all wet and even use it as a potty. Make sure you clean out your bunnies water bottle weekly with hot water and vinegar. Always make sure the water bottle is dispensing water after you fill it by gently tapping the ball point. To prevent any leaking I recommend not filling it completely and leaving an air bubble at the top.
Cage: It's very important that you get the largest cage possible for your bunny. They need lots of space to hop around and to stretch their legs. I highly recommend the Midwest Wabbitat Deluxe Home (the water bottle that comes with this cage does not work well so please purchase the one I have linked above). Some people allow their buns to free roam their home. This is great too, just be sure to bunny proof every room your bunny has access to. Play pens also make great set ups. Pinterest has several great ideas!
Rabbit Castle/ House: This is a must have for your bunny! Toki Hut makes the cutest rabbit castles and houses for bunnies! They are safe, durable, easy to assemble, and made in the USA. Our bunnies love these! No bun set up is complete without a Toki Hut rabbit castle/home! Click the link above for 15% off!
Herbal Support Tablets: I use all of the Sherwood Pet Health Herbal Support Tablets! They are all natural and keep your bunny healthy and happy!
Cleaning products: It’s important to use non toxic cleaning products. Bunnies are very sensitive and chemical fumes and residues can be fatal to them. Dump the litter pan everyday and disinfect with a non toxic cleaner. Be sure to rinse thoroughly. Don't forget to dump and sanitize your cage often as well.
De-wormer: 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.
