Rabbit's Basics!

Catchy as the Page Title sounds, bringing a bunny back home is as exciting! Just realised this page is well needed for many first timers! Here's every item you need to check on your shopping list when you bring your first bunny home!

If you're bringing a young rabbit back, young we mean 1mth to 6mth old. Here's your checklist:

If you're bringing an adult rabbit home, 6mth and above, here's your checklist:
So you may be wondering what's the need for all these? The information below may be overlapping with some product information, so if you think you're reading double, please bear with me (: Here's according to the list.

Alfalfa Hay - This hay has a high protein + high fibre content compared to most other grass hay. As young rabbits are developing between 1 - 6months of age, they need all the protein they can get to build a strong and healthy body in order to be fully developed well.

Timothy Hay - This is the most common grass hay found around town. They sometimes come in 1st or 2nd cut, but it doesnt really matter. What's most important is that, this high fibre hay gives your rabbit enough rouhage for good movement in their guts, for proper digestion. Rabbits die from diarrhea rather easily, and they have a very sensitive stomach, so you may wanna take note and feed them loads of hay. Besides, veterinarians recommend between 70-90% of Hay in a rabbits' diet.

Young Rabbit Pellets - Young Rabbits have special pellets fortified for them. These are mostly alfalfa based - for the very simple reason that alfalfa has high protein content, and this make the pellets richer in proteins as compared with regular rabbit pellets. Choose your pellets wisely, be sure that they have high fibre and is of a trustworthy brand.

Water Bottle + Food Dish - Self explantory, Bunny need a bowl to store their food and something to store their water. I would not advise using a bowl for their water as rabbits have rather short tongue and do not lap water as well as their doggie counterparts. As such, they may accidentally get water into their nose and that may cause choking which may in turn lead to death.

Cage/Playpen - Cages vary. There are regular plastic base with metal grill cages, to cages with pull-out trays for easier disposal of waste, to bungalows and so on.. most importantly, the rabbit has to feel comfortable living in it, and the owner has to feel comfortable maintaining cleanliness. Or you may consider a playpen (much like how you would house a dog) with a litter pan for the bunny to pee & poop.

Carrier - Always comes in handy when you need to transport your bunny, be it bringing it out to play or a trip to the vet. Also, when you need to clean up its home, it will be wise to place your bunny safely in the carrier while you do your chores.

Bedding/Litter - This is very important to control odour. Many conventional thinking has it that bunnies are smelly. Infact, its really about an odour control problem rather than rabbits being genuinely smelly. Human wouldbe known to be smelly too if one doesnt know proper hygiene isnt it? Bedding/litter comes in many forms, such as wood shavings, pine wood, cotton wool, recycled paper and many more. I highly recommend recycled paper, with it being number one in absorbency. These materials absorb urine and hence control odour and makes it easier to clean up after the animals. It can also be used as a base for the bunny to nest and rest on as well.

Fur Brush - Just like humans, rabbits will drop little strands of dead hair daily (not shedding). Of course once to twice a year, rabbits will go through major shedding (change of a new fur coat). So a brush, be it a slicker brush or a comb will help a bunny in its grooming and also to prevent hair ball build-up in its tummy.

Nail Clipper - As I've mentioned under our "Grooming" page, cutting nails is important for a rabbit. please read. So unless you have the intention to bring your rabbit to a groomer to get his nails done, then I would advise for you to get a nail clipper and you may learn how to groom your bunny on your own!

Vitamin C/Supplements - These are completely optional items, but it would definitely aid in nurturing a healthier rabbit.

Toys - Rabbits are always chewing, some being more playful than others, a toy would give them a ball of their time! But if you're spending loads of time entertaining your pets, like how i always talk to my rabbits and annoy them, then a toy would not be needed.

So here's about all the fundamentals of what to purchase with your bunny. If you have any questions about their care, please feel free to email me or chat with me when you make your purchase! Cheers!