How To Pamper A Bunny

Have you recently adopted a bunny? Rabbits are super cute and charming pets! However, they are quite different from dogs and cats. What does it take to keep Floppy content? A Carroll, IA and Jefferson area vet offers some tips on bunny care below.  

Proper nutrition is very important! Floppy’s diet should be based mostly on fresh grass hay, like Timothy hay. Supplement this with commercial bunny food; safe, suitable produce; and, of course, the occasional treat. Ask your vet for specific advice, including safe and unsafe foods, portion sizes, and feeding schedules. 

Just like any other pet, Floppy should see the vet regularly. We recommend having your furry pal fixed. Bunnies also need to be vaccinated against dangerous diseases, such as myxomatosis and viral haemorrhagic disease. In between visits, watch for signs of illness. If you notice anything amiss, call your vet immediately.

Bunnies need plenty of time out of their cages. Just be sure to do some bunnyproofing before you let your cute pet out to play! 

A good cage is definitely a must. We recommend choosing one with a solid floor. Your bunny should have room to jump and play without tripping over her belongings. She’ll also need a hidey-hole to retreat to when she wants privacy. As for substrate, aspen and paper-based products are fine. Avoid pine or cedar substrates. 

Bunnies need to chew quite a bit to keep their teeth from overgrowing. Make sure Floppy has lots of chew toys! (Tip: you can make many of these yourself out of ordinary household items like cardboard, paper, and wood.)  

You’ll need to brush your pet regularly. This should happen daily when your bunny is molting. You’ll also need to clip your bunny’s claws and keep her ears clean. Use this time to check your furry pal for signs of illness or injury. This is also a good way to spend quality time with Floppy! 

Our animal friends need to feel loved to really be happy. Talk to Floppy, pet her, play with her, and offer her toys and treats. If you’re lucky, you’ll be rewarded with a binky, which is basically a bunny happy dance. (Needless to say, binkies are adorable.)