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Forum DIET & CARE New Rabbit: Supply Advice?

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    • Somebunny78
      Participant
      7 posts Send Private Message

        Hi everyone!

        After much research and then much waiting, there is only one week until I can bring my bunny, a broken orange holland lop, home! That means I can start justifying buying the supplies for it. I have a couple of questions about what to get, though, and was also hoping to get your advice on my shopping list if you don’t mind! Although I have had a variety of pets, both scaly and furry, this will be my first rabbit, and I want to make sure I am prepared. 


        Question 1: Housing. After evaluating my options, I think a dog crate would be best. I am a current college student and my rabbit will be living in a dorm, so I like how you can add second levels with a crate, giving the rabbit more space without using up more floor room. For creating a second level, I was considering using a large cardboard box flipped upside down and cutting a door into it so it could double as a hide-out and second level if I make a ramp up to the top of it so the bunny can sit/play on top. However, do you feel this would be sturdy enough? There is also the risk of my rabbit peeing on it, and the last thing I want is for the box to collapse and my rabbit hurt himself. Has anyone else used dog crates for housing and if so, do you have advice on adding that second level/would you mind sharing with me how you set yours up?


        Question 2: Bedding. I keep seeing mixed results for bedding online. I do not want my rabbit to be confused between the bedding and the litter, but I also don’t want him sliding around on a plastic crate bottom. I’m considering putting a towel or blanket down, but I do not yet know if he will be an above-average chewer and don’t want him to choke on the fibers (also, I don’t want to have to wash it several times a day before he is litter trained). Do you use bedding for your rabbits’ enclosures? If so, what kind?


        Question 3: Water bottle or bowl? I think right now I’m leaning towards a bowl, but any advice you have on that would be great!


        Question 4: What kind of carrier do you use/what do you put in your carrier while transporting the bunny to keep it from becoming messy? Do you add some toys in there, too, or will that clutter it too much and have the risk of the bunny getting hit by a toy during a sudden stop?


        Those were my main concerns. Here is a shopping list I came up with if you wouldn’t mind skimming it and telling me if I am missing anything. Also, if you have any favorite brands/types that you recommend for certain products, that would be much appreciated!!!


        1. Dog Crate (minimum of 2 ft. x 2 ft. x 2 ft.)
        2. Plastic pet carrier
        3. 2 ceramic bowls (one for pellets/veggies, other for water)
        4. Corner litter box
        5. Litter
        6. Hay rack
        7. Comb
        8. Nail clippers
        9. NIC cubes for making temporary exercise pens/fencing areas off
        10. Food: Timothy hay, green pellets, and fresh greens
        11. TOYS

        Please let me know if I am missing anything glaringly obvious! Sorry for such a long post, I just want to make sure I set up the best environment possible for my new pet. If you have any general suggestions for a first time rabbit owner, those would be great too. Thank you


      • sarahthegemini
        Participant
        5584 posts Send Private Message

          Posted By Somebunny78 on 3/25/2017 10:14 AM

          Hi everyone!

          After much research and then much waiting, there is only one week until I can bring my bunny, a broken orange holland lop, home! That means I can start justifying buying the supplies for it. I have a couple of questions about what to get, though, and was also hoping to get your advice on my shopping list if you don’t mind! Although I have had a variety of pets, both scaly and furry, this will be my first rabbit, and I want to make sure I am prepared. 


          Question 1: Housing. After evaluating my options, I think a dog crate would be best. I am a current college student and my rabbit will be living in a dorm, so I like how you can add second levels with a crate, giving the rabbit more space without using up more floor room. For creating a second level, I was considering using a large cardboard box flipped upside down and cutting a door into it so it could double as a hide-out and second level if I make a ramp up to the top of it so the bunny can sit/play on top. However, do you feel this would be sturdy enough? There is also the risk of my rabbit peeing on it, and the last thing I want is for the box to collapse and my rabbit hurt himself. Has anyone else used dog crates for housing and if so, do you have advice on adding that second level/would you mind sharing with me how you set yours up?


          Question 2: Bedding. I keep seeing mixed results for bedding online. I do not want my rabbit to be confused between the bedding and the litter, but I also don’t want him sliding around on a plastic crate bottom. I’m considering putting a towel or blanket down, but I do not yet know if he will be an above-average chewer and don’t want him to choke on the fibers (also, I don’t want to have to wash it several times a day before he is litter trained). Do you use bedding for your rabbits’ enclosures? If so, what kind?


          Question 3: Water bottle or bowl? I think right now I’m leaning towards a bowl, but any advice you have on that would be great!


          Question 4: What kind of carrier do you use/what do you put in your carrier while transporting the bunny to keep it from becoming messy? Do you add some toys in there, too, or will that clutter it too much and have the risk of the bunny getting hit by a toy during a sudden stop?


          Those were my main concerns. Here is a shopping list I came up with if you wouldn’t mind skimming it and telling me if I am missing anything. Also, if you have any favorite brands/types that you recommend for certain products, that would be much appreciated!!!


          1. Dog Crate (minimum of 2 ft. x 2 ft. x 2 ft.)
          2. Plastic pet carrier
          3. 2 ceramic bowls (one for pellets/veggies, other for water)
          4. Corner litter box
          5. Litter
          6. Hay rack
          7. Comb
          8. Nail clippers
          9. NIC cubes for making temporary exercise pens/fencing areas off
          10. Food: Timothy hay, green pellets, and fresh greens
          11. TOYS

          Please let me know if I am missing anything glaringly obvious! Sorry for such a long post, I just want to make sure I set up the best environment possible for my new pet. If you have any general suggestions for a first time rabbit owner, those would be great too. Thank you

          In my opinion a dog crate that’s only 2 ft x 2 ft is waaayy too small. Even with a second level. When I used a cage as my bunny’s home base, I didn’t use anything for bedding. You could try fleece as that’s safer if your bun decides to nibble a bit. Though of course if he starts ingesting it you’ll need to remove it. A lot of buns like the cool plastic anyway. I prefer bowls but I would offer both and see what your bun prefers. I also think they’re cleaner/more hygienic and faster to wash thoroughly and refresh. I use a large cat carrier for my two when taking them to the vets. I just put a blanket (fleece) at the bottom so they don’t slide everywhere. 


        • Vienna Blue in France
          Participant
          5317 posts Send Private Message

            Hi and welcome. You don’t mention how old your new bunbun is going to be? A youngster or a rescue teen/adult?
            If still young, veggies won’t be needed just yet

            A BIG corner litterbox is fine for little bottoms, but most buns like to doze in them too, so a cat litter tray is a good option. Most of the members here either have cat litter trays or big square low-sided (underbed?) plastic storage containers.

            Re litter, put hay or straw or shredded paper or wood pellets as litter in the tray, and don’t put anything anywhere else in the cage – that way he will litter train himself quite fast. Any accidents to be cleaned with white vinegar 50/50 solution to get rid of smells.

            2x2x2ft is definitely too small as a permanent home, unless it’s a small small bun and it’s only temporary until you get something bigger.

            I have a couple of dog cages but the more practical one is 3ft x 2.5ft x 2ft with a wooden shelf supported by two cross beams (across the width) resting on the exterior bars (with little grooves cut into the wood which the bars rest in, so they don’t budge when bun jumps up and down). If this were to be your bun’s permanent home an xpen is a good option for an exercise area. NIC cubes are good for a condo, but for exercise pen you’ll need a few to go up and up and up and over for the roof.
            Could you not make a condo from the NIC cubes and forget about the dog cage ?

            He might like a stuffy / cuddly toy to be friends with – to cuddle up with and to groom.

            Toys in transport carrier probably not necessary – but the stuffy may like to travel with him to make him feel safe.

            Can’t wait for the photos !!
            A cardboard box should be OK as a temporary measure (whilst bunny is small), and it’s unlikely bunny will pee on it – and even if it does “collapse”, it’s mroe liekly to cave in slowly and bun will be OK (we”‘re talking 6-12 inches I imagine) – you can play it by ear as you get to know your bunny.

            A ceramic bowl is good for water, but make sure it’s as heavy as you can get, or a shape that bun’s teeth can’t pick up as buns like (no! they loove) throwing bowls around.

            I would get some bunny gas medicine (simethicone) too, just in case…. it doesn’t do any harm to have it in the cupboard.


          • Boston's Mama
            Participant
            1452 posts Send Private Message

              A dog crate or a 1.2m cage with a pen off it would be perfect for a lop

              Cardboard box as a level is not a good idea – pee, collapsing , chewing through – lots of cons sorry

              I use blankets on my baby holland lops floor and yes he had accidents the first 2weeks but have several cheap blankets and just wash the 2-3 blankets that he accidents on once a day in one wash
              It’s def the best option
              And it does make toileting easier

              Carrier def go plastic

              Bowls def ceramic

              Litter tray you’ll get varying opinions – some say no to grated ones for their feet however I agree grated cages aren’t at all ok but grated litter boxes have their advantages
              The ware jumbo scatterless corner tray with grill is the best I’ve used for my holland lops
              It’s def big enough for them , stops the sitting in pee, stopped my litter eater too and no digging it out


            • BunnyFriends
              Participant
              383 posts Send Private Message

                For the carrier – I don’t have toys in mine. Most bunnies aren’t too inclined to play while on the move and just sit in the corner. I hvae a cat carrier, and the only things in it – a small mat (like memory foam but bought at pet store in section for carriers?), a bit of their favourite food when I’m taking them somewhere (usually don’t even bother lol). When you pick your bunny up, ask for some of their old bedding to put in for them.


              • kirstyol
                Participant
                580 posts Send Private Message

                  We have a dog crate for our two boys, but we don’t have any extra levels built into it. We have the XL size which I think is five feet by three or so but our buns are never locked in it anymore, initially we used to lock them in at night but we now have the pen attached to it and the crate open full time, when its free roam time we just detach the pen at the side and create a gap for them to hop in and out of. We only have litter in the litter trays and the boys don’t mind the plastic bottom at all, we have blankets out in the pen part of their Homebase but nothing else in the crate part. We have the corner litter trays, two of them because they refuse to pick just one corner to go in lol and they are plenty big enough for both our buns (maybe the sizes available vary in different countries?) who are much bigger than a Holland lop

                  We only use a water bottle for a few reasons, firstly when Bramble was a baby he would knock over or sit in the water bowl when we tried it leaving him nothing to drink and getting him wet, since he was tiny (only six weeks old) getting even a little damp was a huge issue. Also particularly Ron casts a whole lot 365 days a year he is moulting, the hairs get in the bowls (you will actually find a current thread about this on the forum somewhere) and they ingest them, since Bramble has tummy troubles anyway I wont do anything that could possibly make them worse. I do know that most people prefer a bowl for their buns but it didn’t work for us.

                  I have two quite small fabric carriers for our buns – but our vet is less than ten minutes away from our house and that is the only time they are ever in them. I would never take them anywhere else in these carriers because they are too small really. They are big enough for them to lie down and move about a little but not really big enough for any great length of time. I tried putting puppy pee pads in them but they just ate them and to be honest Bramble is so well toilet trained that he will not go anywhere else – he rushes to the litter box as soon as he is home from the vets because he has been holding it! Ron will do a few poops sometimes but he has never peed in the carrier either


                • Somebunny78
                  Participant
                  7 posts Send Private Message

                    Hi, sorry I forgot to put it in! My bunny’s going to be a lil baby, about 7.5 weeks old. My first choice would have been to rescue, but unfortunately (or I guess fortunately!) there were barely any rabbits in the rescues near me so I am going the breeder route. At least this means I should have my bunny companion for a very long time

                    Do you ever have issues with spraying without the high-backed corner litter boxes? I probably won’t neuter my rabbit until 5 or 6 months (that seems to be the best age for it, correct?) and heard that that might be an issue until then. If so, do you have any recommendations for how to keep things contained? The cage/crate will be kept on top of carpet, so I’d really love to keep the mess inside. 

                    I considered the NIC cubes, but for the next year and a half I might be moving around. I’m in a dorm room now, and will switch rooms for the summer session, and then again for next year. I thought a crate might be easier to transport, but as soon as I graduate in a year and have my own apartment, I want to make a more permanent/better quality bunny enclosure. I like the look of the ones made out of repurposed furniture a lot and was planning on going for that, but for now whatever is most mobile is probably the best thing. He will get LOTS of exercise time outside of it, at least- whenever I am in my room!

                    Do you ever have issues with your bunnies chewing their stuffed animal? I don’t want him to choke, but as he will be a single rabbit this might be good…

                    I think I will get both a bowl and bottle for my bunny and see what he prefers! That is a good point about the shedding in the water bowl- I hadn’t thought of that! 

                    Thank you so much for all of your other advice! I really appreciate it!


                  • Pongo
                    Participant
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                      Hi! Welcome!

                      I got my bunny when he was 3 months old and he’s 5 months now and I went through the same thing. I found out that a dog crate works just fine baby bunnies tend to have tons of energy and can go all day so make sure it’s a decent size one you can also get a lot of good bunny stuff on amazon or eBay or chewy.com I prefer a water bottle because when I put a bowl of water in my baby bunnies cage he kept stepping in and getting his little feet all wet. Also don’t use bedding they will kick it out all over the floor and they’ll confuse it for there littler box cause it’s so comfy to them. I don’t use any bedding in my crate or anything he has a little straw house that he sleeps in and sometimes jumps on top of and enjoys and occasionally I’ll put a blanket in there but he will chew on it, but he really doesn’t mind the plastic floor. For the litter box I use oxbow litter and don’t even bother getting one of those small corner litter boxes there way to small get a small cat litter box and bunnies generally really enjoy there litter box if you don’t put bedding in the rest of the cage cause it’s the comfiest part of there cage. For carriers I use a small cat carrier and just put a blanket in it! Good luck


                    • LittlePuffyTail
                      Moderator
                      18092 posts Send Private Message

                        Welcome to BB It’s great that you are researching and doing so much prep before getting a bunny.

                        Just gonna throw in a couple of quick answers.

                        I’ve never had issues with males spraying before being neutered.

                        Some bunnies like stuffed animals but you must watch very vigilantly at first. Some bunnies are avid chewers and babies usually chew more than older buns. My bun had a stuffie and he attacked it and ingested some of the material or stuffing and got a serious blockage. I tell people this not to put them off stuffies (my little girl used to hava bear that she adored and washed) but just so they are aware and monitor closely for chewing. Also make sure it’s a baby or dog safe stuffie (no hard eyes or anything that can be chewed off easily)


                      • Somebunny78
                        Participant
                        7 posts Send Private Message

                          Thank you everyone!!! I really appreciate all of the advice

                          Another thing I’ve been meaning to ask more about is what to feed a baby bunny. I’ve tried to look online and there seem to be a lot of mixed opinions about what is safe vs. not safe for a young rabbit to eat, and that’s not something I want to mess around with, so if you wouldn’t mind sharing your experiences with what you’ve fed young rabbits that would be wonderful thank you!


                        • Sweetbuns@home
                          Participant
                          20 posts Send Private Message

                            Hi Somebunny78! I wouldn’t recommend feeding your bun anything that comes from any sort of bulb thing as its seed. I read online that things of that category can make a domestic rabbit sick. Also, do not feed them anything of the nightshade variety (tomatoes and things like that). Mint and maple leaves are ok though. I wasn’t thinking about this when I got my bunnies, but if you have your grass treated for bugs or weeds, then under no circumstances feed your bunny that, or anything that has been treated with a pesticide or herbicide that is not creature friendly until a few weeks or at least one sufficient rain has taken place. My buns always enjoy lettuce, but never feed them the kind that grows in a ball, which is called the Iceberg type. I would recommend getting seeds from a local garden center and growing some in a pot or in a designated gardening space. The cool thing about this type of lettuce is that you can pluck off as many leaves as you want from a sprout, and it doesn’t hurt the plant! I hope this information helps.


                          • sarahthegemini
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                              For a baby, pellets and hay are all that’s needed until they are around 12 weeks old. Then you can introduce veggies slowly but of course continue with pellets and unlimited hay. Pellets should be plain (“boring”) not the colourful muesli type but when changing something it has to be done gradually. So no sudden changes. Make sure you give the bun whatever pellets they have been given so far and transition slowly if you need too.

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                          Forum DIET & CARE New Rabbit: Supply Advice?