You're No Bunny Till Somebunny Loves You
by Pat Vanecek

(830) 885-4834 -- open 8 am to 5 pm -- closed Thursday, Friday & Saturday
website: BUNNYRABBIT.com email: bunnies@bunnyrabbit.com

Rabbits can make wonderful pets. Treated with tenderness and care, they can become a loving part of the family. Rabbits live between 8 to 12 years.
Here are a few tips, to make it easier for you and healthier for your rabbit.

Different breeds of rabbits are different sizes.
Adult size is: NETHERLAND DWARF—2 TO 3 lb.HOLLANDLOP—3 TO 4 lb.
DUTCH & MINIREX—4 TO 5 lb. MINILOP—5 TO 7 lb.
CALIFORNIAN & NEW ZEALAND—9 TO 11 lb. FLEMISH GIANT—14 TO 16 lb.

FEEDING
DO NOT FEED LETTUCE OR OTHER FRESH GREENS UNTIL
YOUR BUNNY IS SIX MONTHS OLD (THIS INCLUDES GRASS.)

Make sure your rabbit has a constant supply of fresh water. Your rabbits diet should consist of rabbit pellets and coastal hay. I use Petrus brand rabbit pellets. Young bunnies can be allowed to eat all they want. Feed one portion at a time to be sure that your bunny is eating.
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Full adult ration is: NETHERLAND DWARF, DWARF HOTOT-1/3 cup, HOLLANDLOP-DUTCH-MINIREX - 1/2 cup, CALIFORNIAN-3/4 cup, NEW ZEALAND-1 cup and FLEMISH GIANT- 1 ½ cups.

You can keep coastal hay available at all times or a handful of hay should be fed daily. Fresh vegetables tend to give young rabbits diarrhea(diarrhea can kill). You can feed fresh vegetables and fruit after 6 months of age. If feeding greens or fruit, it should be done on a regular basis so the rabbits digestive system will become used to them. In case of mild diarrhea, feed a handful of dry oatmeal and a few drops of Dritail or Kaopectate. If it hasn’t cleared up in 36 hours call your vet.
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Rabbit urine can range from clear to dark orange-all colors are normal.

Most people have a tendency to overfeed their rabbits, if you follow these simple rules you shouldn't have any problems.

HEALTH

Rabbits do not require any shots.

Rabbits love to gnaw. Their teeth grow constantly. To help keep their teeth even keep a piece of untreated, unpainted wood in the cage. As long as your rabbit has the proper teeth alignment(top teeth overlap bottom teeth), they will wear their teeth down with chewing.

Your bunny may like to play with an empty soda or tuna fish can.
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Heat kills more rabbits every year than anything else.
During hot months, a frozen 3 liter pop bottle filled with water will keep your bunny cool.

If you are not planning on breeding your rabbit, we recommend that you have it spayed or neutered.
85% of older female rabbits develop uterine cancer when not kept bred.

Dr. Leo Gates in Universal City is knowledgeable and reasonable.(phone # 658-6326)

If your rabbit becomes stressed, you can put them on Acid Pak 4 Way for 5-7 days. You use ¼ teaspoon to 1 quart of water.Acid Pak 4 Way helps the digestive system.

HOUSING
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Each rabbit requires its own cage. Keep the cage in a dry, shaded, well ventilated area.
A 24 x 24 cage is usually adequate space, larger rabbits require a 24 x 30 cage.

Since rabbits can't do it themselves, you will have to clean their cage.
To disinfect, use one part bleach to 8 parts water. Wash thoroughly then rinse.