Thumpin’ Mini Stud
HOUSING
There are all different types of cages on the market, it’s really what suits you and your rabbit. There are indoor cages, outdoor cages, cages that sit on the ground and cages on legs, they come in all different sizes.
Try to choose a reasonable sized cage for your rabbit as they need space to run around and play. Outdoor rabbit cages need to be insect proof to prevent mosquitos, flees and other insects that carry diseases such as myxomatosis,calicivirus and snuffles.
Most cages don’t come insect proof in which case you’ll have to do it your self. All you need is a staple gun, cable ties and some aluminium fly wire.
There are a few different things you can use for the trays of the cage, sand, saw dust and kitty litter. It’s good to try a few and see what works for you. I use an organic highly absorbent kitty litter. I all so use small animal litter trays in my rabbit cages, rabbit like to do there business in one corner and this makes the cage easier to clean.
Make sure your rabbit has plenty of shelter and an inclosed sleeping quarters, in the sleeping quarters you can use hey, straw or shredded paper, I like using hay, the rabbits like chewing on the hay and its also an important part of their diet.
Also some cages that sit on the ground don’t come with wire on the bottom which can be a problem because rabbits love to dig! An easy solution can be to purchase wire mesh the same size as the bottom of your cage and just place it under neither your cage.
*You can also purchase cages through us, if you are interested please contact me.
FEEDING
Rabbit’s diets should consist of about 80% hay/chaff. A lot of supermarket rabbit foodsare made from mostly grains or pallets, please avoid these foods pallets are fattening and are sort of like chocolate for rabbits. Find a feed that is mostly chaff with a mixture of grain and pallets.
Grass or oaten hay is also great to add to your bunny’s diet, hay helps with grinding rabbits teeth down and aids in good digestion buy helping to prevent fur block.
Rabbits also need fruit and vegies in the diets, below is a short list of foods they can and can’t eat.
Foods they can eat:
*Carrots *Green Beans *Oranges *Spinach (small portions)
*Apples *Pears *Bananas
*Broccoli *Peas *Grass
*Cauliflower *Celery *Corn On The Cob
Foods they CAN NOT eat:
*Potatoes * Anything acidy
*Capsicums *Chilli’s
*Onion *Mushrooms
*Lettuce *Breads
Make sure your rabbit always has plenty of fresh, clean water.
HEALTH
Rabbits like every other pet need regular worming, vaccinations and vet checks.
Rabbits should be wormed approx every 3 months, the wormer is a liquid that is added to their drinking water.
It’s also a good idea to de-lice/de-mite your rabbits every couple of months as well.
Sometimes it’s also good to add vitamins to their diet, rabbits can show signs of lacking vitamins by licking your skina lot.
All the above products can be purchased from a pet shop.
In Australia we have a vaccination for calicivirus but not for myxomatosis or the snuffles. Rabbits should be vaccinated against calicivirus every 12 months. These above diseases are transmitted through contact with an infected rabbit or insects such as mosquitos and flees, so its good to regularly check your bunnies eyes, ears and nose. Gunky and sore eyes and nose are normally the first sign of these diseases. If you feel your rabbit isn’t well it needs to go to the vet asap or you are welcome to contact me for any advice. To help prevent these diseases lock your rabbit up between dusk and dawn in an insect proof cage.
Rabbits can be de-sexed just like any other pet. The Bucks operation is cheaper and simpler than the Does. If you want to keep a buck and doe together and don’t want them to breed, I would recommend getting them de-sexed.
De-sexing also helps with a rabbits temperament, when rabbits hit breeding age they can become temperamental and hormonal, to prevent this try to geth them de-sexed at an early age.
GROOMING
Rabbits need regular grooming like any other pet. Rabbits with longer coats need more grooming than rabbits with shorter coats.
Some times rabbits get small patches of mattered fur, especially around their bottoms in which case you will need to trim them with a pair of small nail scissors, BUT be very careful! Don’t cut to close to the skin.
Rabbits can also be bathed. I recommend bathing in a bath or sink with out a plug so the water can run down the drain, use a jug or bath hose with warm water to pore over them, you can purchase pet shampoo from apet shop or use organic shampoo which can be purchased from the supermarket. (Other soaps and shampoos can irritate your rabbit’s skin)
Dry your rabbit with a towel or hair drier. (Make sure your bunny is completely dry before returning it to its cage.)
Cutting rabbits claws, sometimes rabbit’s claws can grow quite long and can curl back onto them selves. They can also start scratching you. (In the wild rabbits do a lot of digging that helps keep their claws short)
All you need is a pair of claw clippers, be careful when clipping your rabbits claws, just cut the end of them and don’t cut anywhere near the pink part of there claw. If you have any doubts you can ask me or your local pet shop or vet for advice.
TOYS
Rabbits need something to keep them entertained, there are a few different types of toys you can purchase for rabbits. You can get wooden ones and ones made of straw, most of the time they are in the shape of a fruit. Some of the toys rattle and rabbits like to throw them around. Rabbits like to chew on the wooden toys and they help grind down the rabbits teeth.
* you can purchase some toys and chew blocks through us.
Also rabbit love playing with hay, just a hand full of hay a day will keep you bunny entertained for hours.
Rabbits love to run, I let my rabbits out of their cages to run around.
Make sure your yard is secure and there is nothing poisonous your rabbits can get into. Only let your rabbit out of its cage during the day, NOT early mornings or at night, mosquitos are out at these times and it’s not worth the risk.
You can Purchase or make your own yard with wire mesh for them to play in if you feel that they could escape from your yard.
HANDLING
Rabbits like to be handled, and love attention. Handle your rabbit gently and give them lots of cuddles. Rabbit like to be scratched behind their ears and under their chin.
KEEPING RABBIT TOGETHER
Rabbits are colonial creatures and don’t like to be alone. Some times it’s a good idea to keep to rabbits together, you can keep two does together or a doe and a de-sexed buck together, you can put two bucks together if they are both young or if they have been brought up together. If you put two mature bucks together you run the risk of them fighting.
BREEDING
Its not as easy as most people think there is a lot to consider. But at the same time it is very rewarding.
If you are considering breeding your bunnies please contact me, I can give you advice and am happy to help you every step of the way or with any questions you mite have.
Chelsie
0488077269
Wyndham Vale 3024