*Rabbit Care*
Bringing a new little bunny into the family is very exciting!
However, it is also a big learning process.
So Peter Rabbit ate lettuce and carrots everyday, and that’s what your going to feed your bunny, that’s what most of the books say in libraries.
Here’s a little hint for you… it’s all wrong!!!!!!!!! If a book you get isn’t recommended by the ARBA (American Rabbit Breeder’s Association) don’t go buy it!
If you are youth, or have kids, I highly recommend joining your local 4-H club. You can even contact me and I’ll find you one in your area!

*FEEDING*
Your bunny needs to eat and drink the proper amount of food and water everyday.
Please contact me about what breed your rabbit is and I can give you the exact amount of food.
Always supply fresh water to your rabbit *at all times!*
If you give your rabbit a cup full of fruits & vegetables everyday that is not a meal.
Your bunny should have pellets as its meal everyday.
Certain fruits and veggie treats are ok, once or twice a week., and please remember that they are just that... TREATS!

TREATS!
Please take note that rabbits do not do well with watery greens!
If you feed your bunny ice burg lettuce, stop immediately!
This gives your bunny diarrhea because it has so much water in it and, in the long run, it will eventually kill your rabbit.

Treats should only be given in small amounts, 2-3 times a week and no more.


*HOUSING*
The size of your bunny’s cage or hutch will vary according to breed size.
18x24 is good for small breeds.
18x30 is good for small to medium sized rabbits.
24x30 or 30x36 is also good for medium breeds.
36x48 is an ideal size for the large breeds, maybe a little larger.
  The floor of your cage should be wire, not soiled shavings, or just plain metal.
If your animal is sitting in its fecal matter all day long, it’s under side is going to become matted, dirty and smelly which is very unhealthy, not only for the rabbit, but also for the caretaker handling the animal.
This will eventually happen even if you keep your cage or hutch clean 24/7 and it can also attract bugs like flies and other pests even if the rabbits in the house.
Rabbits do better outside.
People may say “Oh How horrible for the rabbit“… but it isn’t.
A rabbit’s coat is special.
It has a different layer for different seasons.
Living outdoors is also helpful to keep odor out of your home, and is closer to the rabbit's natural habitat.
Even a domestic rabbit still keeps its natural instincts.


*Choosing your rabbit*
Now that you know a lot of the information you will need,
it's now time to decide what size, breed, sex & temperament you want your new fuzzy friend to have.
Any rabbit can have a nice friendly temperament; it’s up to you to make it that way.
You'll need to handle your bunny everyday, no matter what size it is.
Both large and small rabbits are delightful to have, it just depends on what kind of space you have, a bigger rabbit means a bigger cage.


*Handling*
Ok now you know what rabbit you want, how to feed it, where its going to live.... but what about handling and playing with it???
Rabbits Like to feel Secure. A rabbit that does not feel safe will scratch, bite and kick its way to what it thinks is safety.
When picking up your bunny use two hands one supporting the hind end and one supporting the body.
After you have picked up your bunny, you want to bring it to a safe place where you can sit with it.
When walking with your bunny, or holding it while standing, you want to have bunny totally secure.
A good method of holding your bunny is what I call the football method.
The bunny’s head is under your arm and its body is supported by your forearm and hind end by your hand. That will leave your other hand free incase the bunny gets startled so you can then place your other hand over the rabbits back for extra support.
Do not use "outdoor voices" or make loud noises while around the bunny. Do not pick it up by it's ears, tail or limbs! This will hurt the rabbit significantly & is cruel.
Never hit your bunny & do not yell at it. (*Parents are responsible for harm coming to the rabbit, because this means you were not supervising your child*)
Never pick up your rabbit by the belly or by holding around the belly.
That is where it’s internal organs are located and can be very easily damaged if squeezed to tight!
Like cats, rabbits do have scruffs. Handling the rabbit this way won't hurt the bunny, but it may become frightened. So Please be careful. Remember, always support it's hind end!
Once you have sat down with your bunny, you want to pat it gently while its on your lap or hold it so that the bunny’s feet are against your chest and its hind end is supported in your hands.
Bunnies don’t normally like to be held like a baby and can be every easily hurt if they get nervous and flip.
Gentle but Firm hands are best.
Parents should always supervise children while holding a bunny.
The more you hold and handle your bunny, the friendlier it will be!!!
If you don't handle your bunny, it won't want to come out of it's cage!!
Please note we highly recommend NOT letting your rabbit run around the house, unless electrical cords are out of reach, and the area is carpeted.
Do to the fur pads on the bottom of the feet, it makes rabbits very susceptible to slipping and injuring themselves.
Rabbits are very fragile and can easily break their backs which leaves them with 1-3 days to live.
So PLEASE BE CAREFUL!
Now it’s your turn to buy a bunny!
OK, so by now, you should know enough about rabbit care to keep your bunny happy and healthy!!
Oh! I almost forgot! Rabbits do not need Vaccinations.
and Most aliments can be cured at home or by contacting a local breeder for advice.
There are a lot of Vets inexperienced in rabbit care, so ask a local breeder or 4-H leader to recommend one for you that is experienced with rabbits!!!
In my opinion, Pet rabbits should not to be used for breeding , show, or brood, that do not fit the breeds standard or are of mixed breed.

This information was provided by Michele Millard of M&M's Hoppy Days Rabbitry.
I can be contacted a couple ways!
Email: MMHoppyDaysRabbitry11@gmail.com

Children ages 5-18 interested in learning more about rabbits and cavies (guinea pigs) PLEASE JOIN 4-H!!!
GREAT SCOTT's 4-H RABBIT & CAVY CLUB meets the 3RD Friday of Each month @ 7pm in the Youth building at the Topsfield Fairgrounds. TOPSFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS
IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN JOINING, COME TO A MEETING!!!!
IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT JOINING THIS CLUB, PLEASE CONTACT THE LEADER - BONNIE MCLAUGHLIN of E. Kingston NH (603) 642-8216.
PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CONTACT ME ANYTIME WITH ANY RABBIT QUESTIONS IM ALWAYS WILLING TO ANSWER THEM!!!

FOR QUALITY, DURABLE INDOOR & OUTDOOR CAGES & SUPPLIES PLEASE CONTACT:

Thurkins Thumpers Of Dunstable, MA
Email: e mthurkins@aol.com

Phone Number:978-649-3446
Ask for Eric Or Marcia



*Thank you Melissa A. from Hoppn Hollow Bunny Buds for this Rabbit Care Page. Couldn't have said anything better myself!*