So getting a pet bunny for yourself or your child is part of your list, but you want to know everything before fully committing yourself in your potential pet.
Many people are commonly mistaken about bunny being a low-maintenance pet. But the truth is that cuddly pets have the potential to live for about 10 years or more, and they might require a significant amount of time, money, attention and care.
Care Guide for a Bunny
For some, bunnies make a great pet but, like any pet, they require certain conditions to be generally healthy and happy. This care guide gives you everything that you need to know to get the most enjoyment out of your pet bunny.
Is a Bunny Right For You?
The first thing you must consider before adopting a bunny is that potentially they have a long lifespan so you better be ready to care for them on a long term basis. Bunnies are also unique kinds of pets, they form tight bonds within their families, but they also feature some quirks that you should understand about.
They also require some routine vet care coming from a good veterinarian. And to bust the myth, bunnies are not low maintenance pets if you on your track on taking good care of them. If you are fully ready for all the unique traits and requirements of bunnies, then you will be able to enjoy the fantastic friendship they can offer.
How to Choose a Healthy Bunny?
A quick overlook at your potential bunny pet will help distinguish if any illness signs are showing obviously or other issues that may arise in the future. While leaving you no guarantees, it is safe to say that you should not pick bunnies that show common signs of health issues can help save you a lot of money and brace yourself from heartache in the long run. By having a closer look at a bunny you are considering to adopt, you also have a glimpse to see the behavior of the bunny.
Also, if you are sure to get a rabbit as an additional member of the family, it is highly suggested you can start by locating your bunny rescues or local shelter near you. Some bunnies need a second chance at a new home- forever.
Choosing the Right Cage
Regardless if you decide to go with a cage or hutch, deciding a home for your bunny is very vital. Cages that have enough space, easy to maintain and clean, and easy for your bunny to come in and out, will make sharing your home with a bunny easy. A cage that is big enough is important for the well-being of your pet bunny, but also a not replacement for plenty of exercises and social time outside of the cage. Bedding and waste are also vital choices to make as ease and cost of maintenance will become your ultimate concerns over time.
But if you want to keep your bunny pet outside of your house you’ll need a bunny cage. If you are planning to keep the bunny inside your home you’ll need an adequately sized cage. The real question is how much does a bunny cage cost, it typically costs more than cages so many bunny owners make their hutch. You need to ready as much as around $150-$200 on a sturdy cage if you don’t make one for your pet.
Meanwhile, indoor cages may differ in design quite a bit but the cost might be around $50-$100 for a nice bunny cage. If you can have a bunny-proofed room for your bunny you can get away with a smaller pen and it will allow your bunny to stretch out and run around in the safe room.
Feeding your bunny
Even the best quality of bunny pellets is not sufficient on its own as a diet for a bunny. It requires bounty of fresh grass and hay as they are very significant in a bunny’s diet, as well as fresh vegetable and green leaves, and freshwater. The proper diets play a very crucial role to maintain the bunny’s health. Get the proper food in feeding your bunny to high fiber diet and well-balanced nutrients.
Training and Behavior
Pet bunnies are dissimilar from dogs and cats. It’s necessary to recognize how your bunny thinks so you can enjoy each other’s companion.
Like another furry companion, you also wish that your bunny pet has skills. Well, bunnies are quite teachable, but be warned that it takes time and requires lots of patience most especially to waste management training and showing its natural skills and talents like digging and chewing. You need to spend time and pour out some attention to make you bunny learn and at the same time learning how to comprehend what your pet is trying to tell you or communicate to you using its body language and sound. Bunny-proof your home and both of you will live happier!
Grooming your Bunny
Like any other furry pal, grooming your bunny is also essential for the owner and potential ones. Brushing is a must, regularly, the low down on nail trims, but bathing is out.
Naturally speaking, bunnies are clean animals and they frequently wash. However, you still need to groom them regularly. Bunnies undergo shedding cycles at least twice a year. It’s very essential to brush your bunny so you’ll be able to remove all the excess fur. If not, your bunny might consume it and end up having severe digestive issues.
Regular nail clipping is also important because long nails can get snagged on things or they can curl into your rabbit’s paw.
Bunny Health
Generally, the health of your bunny is very important, and your veterinarian will play a very important role in keeping your bunny healthy. Proper diet, regular check-ups, exercise and enrichment, and spaying or neutering are all crucial in giving your bunny to have a healthy and long life.
Provide Enrichment
Bunnies want entertainment as they easily get bored as they need sufficient space to work out or train, also bunnies need mental stimulation. A great example of enrichment is cardboard castles since bunnies are fond of chewing new doorways and windows. It also serves as a quiet shelter for the bunny when needed.
Bring Your Bunny to Bunny-Savvy Vet
Bunnies are prey animals, and their instinct is to conceal or don’t show any signs and symptoms of illness. As an owner, you just need to observe them make certain your bunny is eating, drinking, peeing and pooping frequently. However, if you observe any sudden change in actions, it is significant to call away from a bunny -savvy vet right away.
You need to be familiar with the common bunny illnesses and diseases Learn about to watch out for. Upon knowing them and to respond to its illness, it is also necessary to regularly bring your rabbit to veterinary checkups. The vet can then extensively check the eyes, teeth, ears, and gut to asses and guarantee you that the rabbit is in good health.
