The Official Baby Bunny Checklist

Are you excited for your new addition? We are too! That's why we made this helpful checklist to make sure you have everything you need for your bouncy baby bunny. Check off with us as we go along!

Nutrition

-A great rabbit pellet formulated with no blood or bone meal. Alfalfa or Timothy should always be the top ingredient.

-A water bottle of at least 32 oz or 1 liter for our metric friends.

-A bowl that screws onto the side of the cage. This won't let bunny throw it all over the place. Metal is easiest to clean.

-A bottle brush to clean your water bottle.

-Vitamin drops. These are nice to have if your new rabbit is very young. A few drops can really perk up a scared baby for the first few days.

Grooming

-Dry shampoo. A wet rabbit is a rabbit just waiting to get pneumonia.

-A dust bath/dig area. Some rabbits enjoy dust bathing, others don't. If your rabbit isn't into it, it's okay. Our pick for this? A simple plastic shoebox storage bin. Watch for chew marks. Rabbits shouldn't be allowed to eat plastic. Discard chewed plastic.

-Nail trimmers. Ideally these will be scissor style, not guillotine style. If you can only find guillotine style, just be careful when you trim.

-A small, smooth brush

-For long-haired breeds, a small undercoat rake

Cage

-The cage should have an area that is nothing but solid floor. If it does not, purchase at least 1 rabbit rest per 10 sq ft of cage area. A rabbit rest can be as simple as a piece of untreated, brand new tile if so desired.

-The cage should be of at least 12 sq ft in total space for standard sized rabbits.

-If the cage has a wire bottom you must be certain a baby's legs cannot slide through and get caught. If they can, plaster the floor with rabbit rests. Remove them as your rabbit grows.

-Security latches, like dog leash clasps, are fantastic to keep your rabbit's cage closed. If you do not have a sliding lock mechanism, they will figure out how to open it eventually. Do not use bag ties. Rabbits can unwind these and choke to death on them.

-A litter box is a fantastic idea and it is rare that a rabbit decides not to use it.

-A simple hay rack. This can be fashioned out of just about anything, including the little plastic boxes dollar stores tend to have. Cut a hole in the top to place hay in, ziptie the box to the front of the cage with the manufactured hole facing the cage. Voila. Instant hay rack and much cheaper than the commercially available ones.

Miscellaneous

-Toys are wonderful! Any toy that is rabbit approved and purchased at a pet store is a fine thing to give your bunny.

-Wooden chews, approved for rabbit use, are absolutely necessary for your new pet rabbit's health.