How To Care For A Bunnykin
Bunnies make delightful pets for families, with around 900,000 households in the UK enjoying their company. It's no wonder—these intelligent and inquisitive creatures are a joy to own and can bring immense satisfaction to their caretakers.
However, owning a bunny is not just fun; it comes with significant responsibilities and long-term commitments in terms of care and cost. Bunnies typically live for 8-12 years. Before you decide to bring one home, please read all the information below to ensure you're prepared for this rewarding commitment.
Grooming
Combing
To keep your new Teddy bunny in top shape, we recommend daily grooming. This not only keeps them looking their best but also helps them bond with you during handling time. Fortunately, it only takes a few minutes each day. If daily grooming isn't feasible, aim for at least once or twice a week.
When grooming your Teddy’s fur, be gentle with their delicate, soft skin. Make sure to comb all the way down to the skin and cover their entire body, paying special attention to areas like under the chin and the backs of their legs, which tend to mat up quicker. You'll appreciate your Teddy's easy-going and trusting temperament during these grooming sessions, as many bunnies aren’t fond of being combed. If you encounter thick or matted fur, try using the tip of the comb at an angle to gently work through the tangles. Always be gentle to avoid hurting your Teddy.
Trimming Around The Eyes
Sometimes, it may be necessary to trim around your Teddy’s eyes if their fur grows into or over them. I usually trim about 1/4 inch around the eye. Their long fur is forgiving and will still look adorable and fluffy even after a trim!
Keeping Bunnies Cool in Summer
During the summer, it's essential to keep your Teddy cool due to their long fur. Ensure they have shaded outdoor runs or indoor spaces on hot days. Avoid placing hutches in direct sunlight.
Nutrition
Food
Our Bunnykins enjoy a nutritious mix of Allen and Page breeder pellets and Burgess dwarf and junior pellets with mint. They have unlimited hay daily and are treated to fresh veggies and homegrown herbs. Only the best for our bunnykins! In winter, they savour ready grass, and in summer, they love nibbling on the lawn.
Water
We provide both water bottles and bowls so our bunnykins can choose their preferred drinking method.
Housing
Most of our Bunnykins find their furever homes as house rabbits. However, if a bunnykin is to live outside, they must have a companion due to their social nature. For outdoor living with no free-roaming access, the minimum acceptable space is a large double hutch with a spacious run, both of which should be weather and predator-proof.
Bonding
Rabbits are incredibly social creatures and thrive best with a buddy. However, please remember that guinea pigs should not share a home with bunnies. If you have two rabbits, we strongly recommend getting them neutered. Even rabbits from the same litter might not always get along.
If you already have a rabbit and are looking to introduce a new companion, the bonding process needs to be done gradually. You can’t simply bring home a new fur baby and place them together. Your first rabbit should be neutered, and you’ll need to provide separate living spaces while they bond. Feel free to reach out to me if you’re planning this—male and female pairs tend to bond the easiest.
Rabbit health/ Illnesses
There are some diseases that can affect rabbits, such as myxomatosis, RHD1, and RHD2. It’s crucial to get your rabbit vaccinated against these. Vaccinations can start from 8 weeks old for myxo and RHD1 (Nobivac), and from 10 weeks old for RHD2 (Filavac). Ensure your vet carries the RHD2 vaccine, as not all practices do.
Lastly, if you’ve sadly lost a bunny and are unsure why, it could be due to RHD, even if they were vaccinated. This dreadful virus shows no warning signs; one minute your bunny is fine, and within 24 hours, they can become ill and pass away. The only way to confirm RHD is through a liver sample.
The virus can survive on surfaces for a very long time. If you’ve lost a bunny to RHD, it’s vital that you don’t bring any new rabbits into your home for 4 months. Although thorough cleaning with a good disinfectant is essential, I recommend disposing of any hutches or bowls and starting fresh. Please don’t just discard the hutch—wait for the 4 months or, better yet, burn it to ensure the virus is eradicated.
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