-----Bunny Care
River Road Veterinary Clinic
Box 309
Norwich, Vermont 05055
Phone: 802-649-3877 Fax: 802-649-1345
email: RRVC@Valley.net.com
www.rrvetclinic.com
Dr. Christine Pinello - Dr. JoAnne Giel - Dr. Kathy Ling Newcomb
BUNNY CARE
· A good bunny diet should consist of mainly grassy hay, which should be available 24 hours a day. In addition, feed at least 1 cup of fresh vegetables for each 4 pounds of body weight. Select a minimum of 3 types of vegetables daily. If your bunny isn't used to eating fresh vegetables, introduce 1 new vegetable per day. If diarrhea results, remove that vegetable from the diet. Do not feed vegetables that are made up of water like iceberg lettuce and celery. These may cause diarrhea. Feed about 2 tablespoons of bunny pellets daily per 4 pounds of body weight.
· Keep fresh water available at all times. A salt block should be available at all times.
· Use clean hay or straw for bedding. Wood shavings are irritating to the feet and can cause intestinal obstruction if the bunny eats them. The same is true for sawdust. Keep the cage clean and dry. If the floor is wire, provide an untreated piece of wood for the bunny to sit on; otherwise paws may get blistered.
· When you carry your bunny, be sure to support
the rump. Bunnies have very strong hind legs, and if they are allowed
to kick while being carried, they can actually break their backs. Have
your veterinarian show you how to handle your bunny.
· Your bunny will probably need its toenails trimmed every 2-3
months. Your veterinarian can show you how to do this as well.
· Some bunnies have teeth that do not grow normally and need to be trimmed. This is something only your veterinarian should do.
· If you do not plan to breed your bunny, have it spayed or neutered. The most common cause of death for adult female rabbits is cancer of the uterus. This can be avoided if they are spayed. If uncastrated male bunnies are housed together, they will fight and severely injure each other.
CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR NEW BUNNY!!
Good vegetables for bunnies:
- Alfalfa, radish and clover sprouts
- Basil
- Beet greens
- Bok Choy
- Broccoli (mostly leaves and stems)
- Brussels sprouts
- Carrots and carrot tops
- Cilantro
- Clover
- Collard greens
- Dandelion greens and flowers from untreated lawns
- Endive
- Escarole
- Green peppers
- Kale
- Mint
- Mustard greens
- Parsley
- Pea pods (the flat edible kind)
- Peppermint leaves
- Pumpkin
- Radicchio
- Radish tops
- Raspberry leaves
- Romaine lettuce
- Spinach
- Summer squash
- Tomatoes
- Watercress
- Wheat grass
- Yams
Fruits (up to 3) feed small amounts, only 1-2 level teaspoons
per 5 pounds body weight (none if on a diet)
- Apple
- Blueberries
- Melon
- Raspberries
- Papaya
- Peach
- Pear
- Pineapple
- Plums
- Strawberries
DO NOT feed grains, nuts or legumes. They are too high in starch and fat and are not healthy for your bunny.
The House rabbit society sends out a newsletter with health care information and articles for people like you who have pet bunnies.
House Rabbit Society
P.O Box 1201
Alameda, Ca 94501
(510) 521-4631