Rabbits are very special animals & they need to see an Exotic Veterinarian who knows rabbits. They should have a yearly exam to make sure they are healthy. No vaccines are needed for rabbits. I always recommend you know where the closest Emergency Vet is for exotic pets, as weekend emergencies are sadly not uncommon. Exotic pets can’t usually wait till Monday in many cases, so you need to have this information in advance, as we don’t always think clearly in an emergency. I have been to an ER Vet more than a handful of times with dogs, birds, rabbits, & other exotic foster pets. You can ask friends with exotic pets who they see for their pets, ask your dog or cat Vet who they recommend. You may get blessed like me & your dog Vet also sees exotics. You can search the internet for Vets who see exotics & please read the reviews & search their website to be sure they see rabbits. Rabbits should be spayed or neutered by an Exotic Vet, as they have experience with anesthesia for them. If you do not know how to cut your rabbits nails you can ask your Vet to show you how. You will need a carrier to transport our rabbit to the Veterinarian, also always good to have one if there is a natural disaster & you need to evacuate. You want a carrier that allows easy access to load & unload your rabbit,(top or side opens) like this one: https://amzn.to/3FKmORP A rabbit will be stressed if injured or maybe after a car ride & you don’t want to have to reach in & pull it out of a carrier, risk scaring them or being bit. Another option of a good carrier : https://amzn.to/3Y3vj0z or this one has a slide out front: https://amzn.to/3Y7XvQ0
Litter box training a rabbit is helpful with cleaning up after them, you will have less droppings & their area will stay drier. Please know most leave some droppings & will potty outside the box at times, but overall once they learn it & have access to a clean litter box they will use it. I like this box, but I would remove the grate https://amzn.to/3QTSHd7 Rabbits eat some of their droppings & the grate doesn’t give them access to it. It may sound gross to you that they eat it, but they are getting nutrients they didn’t get the first time, rabbits in the wild do the same thing. I also think it is easier & more comfortable to be on litter than a grate. Litter: https://amzn.to/4hPBJHS Put a layer about an inch deep in the litter box & place some of their droppings in the box, also some cage bedding soaked with urine if you have some. If you find your rabbit likes a certain area it likes to do it’s business, put the litter pan there. Rabbits like to rearrange things, so I recommend you find a way to attach a pan to the bars so they can’t move it. I have drilled holes in some pans to attach, used large strong clips to hold in place. Make sure it’s easy enough for you to remove for cleaning. Once your rabbit starts to use a litter pan make sure a litter pan is accessible even when your rabbit is out & about jumping around the room.
If your rabbit is going to have time out of his or her area to jump around the room be sure you rabbit proof the room. Rabbits will chew on electrical cords or wood trim or furniture legs. I recommend always monitoring your rabbit if free to hop around & explore. They will drop a few droppings (luckily pretty dry & easy to clean up) as they get excited & are having fun. A spray to deter chewing can be used such as this one https://amzn.to/41NMd5Q. It is fun to watch a rabbit happily hop around and explore. I suggest a room without carpet so it doesn’t dig or chew at it & digest fibers.
Many Rabbits like a box, or house to sleep in or to retreat to when they want some “me” time. This grass hut is a nice option, but like anything given to a rabbit they may chew it: https://amzn.to/4caJkj7 I personally am not going to recommend a cloth house as rabbits chew & may ingest some of the cloth material or stuffing. This is a nice wooden option for a house for your rabbit: https://amzn.to/425Xm0K
Salt tablets & calcium blocks are no longer needed for rabbits as high quality foods add these in. I recommend Oxbow brand foods, such as this one for adult rabbits: https://amzn.to/3XECdJL
If you want to take your rabbit outside there are some concerns you need to be aware of. Fleas are a possible issue if your rabbit goes outside, of course they are a possibility if you have dogs or cats that have fleas & they can bring them inside. If your rabbit gets fleas they can be treated with a apple cider vinegar (ACV) mix; 1 part water & 1 part vinegar put in a spray bottle & sprayed on your rabbit (use caution around face. ACV: https://amzn.to/441tmpg. As a preventative you can add 1 Tablespoon of ACV to a gallon of water & put in your water bottle. Be sure you are cleaning out the bottle daily & adding fresh. Diatomaceous Earth (DE) can be used on rabbits to kill fleas, it doesn’t kill the eggs so you need to examine your rabbit for any fleas in the weeks that follow. Food-grade DE https://amzn.to/42dXATG can be used on the rabbit, in a cage or in the house. Due to the fineness of the powder a mask should be worn when sprinkling in a room, once settled your fine. I have used it throughout my home years ago when one of my dogs got fleas. Another concern is the bot fly, which is a gross looking bug that lays eggs & the larvae burrow into the rabbits skin. There are videos out there on how to remove, but I personally was grossed out & know I wouldn’t be able to remove it. Prevention is the best way to help this as box flies usually come from the ground. If you want your rabbit to have some time outside which it is nice for all living creatures to soak in a little sun on a nice spring day cover the ground with a sheet that the pen will sit on. https://amzn.to/425ss8I Another option is to purchase a pen that is enclosed like this one: https://amzn.to/4l8Yc5D or one that is open on top https://amzn.to/4c8YfKJ Always stay with your pet when it is outside to monitor chewing of pen or sheet if going that route. Another risk is a stray cat, dog or a hawk or other bird of prey could go after your rabbit.
Thank you for reading, I hope your learning from my series on rabbit care, I have one more to go in this series (next Sat). If you have not read the others they are #18, #21 & # 24 of my posts, go check them out. Please comment & let me know what you learned or share about your rabbit. Please like, subscribe, share my blog, as all these things help to get the word out there about my blog. My goal is to help pet owners/caregivers to help their pets to not just survive but thrive. If you would like to email me directly you may, please email me at echoinggreatpetcare@gmail.com Debbie
Echoing Great Pet Care 