Other than cats and dogs, rabbits are adorable furry friends suitable as house pets. They are relatively cleaner and quieter and don’t require long walks and arduous playtimes.
But before you hop into the bunny-rearing world, there are vital steps to take for you to raise happy and healthy hoppers at home. That said, here are seven essentials for your new pet rabbit to feel safe and comfortable in its new habitat:
Indoor Housing
Rabbits aren’t low-maintenance pets, so it is important to give indoor housing that is spacious enough for your precious hopper to move around freely. Designate a spot in your home to build your rabbit habitat. If your bunny loves to jump, get puppy pens that are at least 36 inches high to prevent your pet from jumping out of its enclosure.
Depending on your bunny’s size, you’ll have to measure the area you plan to assign as its home. Let’s say you’re outlining your hopper’s home in your newly-bought apartment for sale in Cebu. In that case, allot space for your pet bunny without compromising the floor area for your furniture and decor to fit perfectly.
Bedding
Bunnies love to sleep! And to promote a healthy nap pattern for your little hopper, comfortable bedding is a must. Create a comfortable and dry bed with newspaper, dust-free straw, and rabbit-safe bedding hay. These materials will absorb liquids and odors, making cleaning an easier task.
If you want to amplify the comfort of your baby cottontail, add fleece bedding or cage liners. Not only is fleece soft, comfortable, and cloud-like, but it is also absorbent, antibacterial, hypoallergenic, and eco-friendly! Perhaps one downside of fleece is you’ll have to wash it often to reduce odors and bacteria, but that won’t compare to the comfort and care you’ll give to your little bunny!
Litter Trays
Rabbits poop about 200 to 300 pellets every day. While your pet’s dropping might not be that big, the accumulated amount may cause foul odors and the growth of bacteria and parasites. Keep your bunny pen clean and sanitized by adding a litter tray for your pet to do their business without the mess.
Fill a litter box with hay, straw, newspaper, or unscented rabbit-safe litter. These materials will absorb your bunny’s urine and poop better, allowing for mess-free and more efficient cleaning. After cleaning your bunny’s toilet area, deodorize it with a pet-safe disinfectant spray to eliminate the remaining odors and bacteria.
Food and Water Bowls
Allot an eating and drinking area in your bunny habitat where you can place your rabbit’s food and water bowls without being contaminated. Keep your rabbit’s food and water source clean with automatic feeders and water dispensers.
Place rabbit pellets in the food dispenser and do the same for the water-dispensing device. Not only do these efficient machines keep food and water clean, but they’re also automated to feed your bunny at the right time. That way, you’ll prevent overfeeding and dehydrating your bunny, while also rationing their food and water supply properly.
Hay, Grass, and Veggies
Rabbits love to eat! Besides rabbit pellets, fresh hay and grass are vital for your hopper’s diet. You’ll need to constantly supply them with these greens for your rabbit to grow strong and healthy. Fresh hay and grass are available in many pet stores.
Now, if you can’t find these greens, leafy vegetables and root crops are suitable feeds for your rabbit. Go to your nearest palengke or supermarket near your apartment in Cebu for rent and get lettuce, kamote tops, celery, broccoli, and carrots for your cottontail baby to feast on.
Chew Toys
Like dogs and cats, rabbits need playtime for their leisure and development. Get some chew toys for your bunny to munch and play on while you are away. These toys are also perfect for your bunny to entertain themselves if you don’t have the time to play with them due to your work-from-home schedule.
Chew toys are also vital for your bunny’s dental health. A rabbit’s incisors grow quite fast and in a curling manner. By chewing on toys, your bunny will maintain the ideal tooth length for chewing food and reduce the risk of its overgrown teeth getting stuck in cages or puncturing its gums or the roof of its mouth.
Play House or Castle
While a fluffy and fat rabbit is adorable, leaving your pet hopper to be overweight and sedentary may cause health problems in the future. Keep your bunny healthy and active by giving them a playhouse or castle made of cardboard boxes.
Cut out shapes and doors for your bunny to pass through during playtime. For more challenges, create a maze and tiered passageways for your bunny to explore. You can also add “traps” such as a cage or pit with soft bedding and food as bait.
In summary, bunny rearing might not be a low-maintenance task. Still, it is rewarding to see your pet rabbit happy and comfortable in its habitat. Create the most conducive bunny environment in your home with these seven essentials.
