Here is a list of supplies you will need as a bunny owner, I go into detail about supplies down below. All of these items are available in our shop on site, Riverbend pet supplies. Please message us if there's something particular you're looking for!
- Hay
- High quality pellets
- Pen/enclosure
- Pet carrier
- Water dish
- Food dish/hay rack
- Litter box
- Litter bedding
- Small pet nail trimmers
- Brush(es)
- Toys
Food
Bunnies of all ages can eat grass hays such as Timothy hay, orchard grass hay and oat hay. Only bunnies under 6 months of age need to be consuming Alfalfa hay in their diet to give them the nutrients and calories they need to grow. After 6 months of age, remove Alfalfa hay from their diet completely (including alfalfa pellets). When shopping for hay you want to look for sources of fresh-smelling grass hay. This can be purchasing from a local farmer (who doesn't spray their hay with pesticides) and you can find hay and pellets in our store.
Pellets/fortified food.
For young bunnies I recommend either Oxbow young rabbit pellets or Martin's little friends original food. Bunnies can be on young rabbit food for up to 5 months. However, I prefer to get them started on the adult formula after 12 weeks to get them eating grass hay sooner and to prevent bunnies from being overweight/picky hay eaters. I recommend moving on to an adult Oxbow formula or martin's little friends timothy adult food. We will carry all of these products in our store. Digestive Support tablets are a great tummy support for rabbits with longer fur, rabbits feeling under the weather and rabbits who are blowing their coat. Critical care is important to have on hand as well. It's a powder formula you mix with water to syringe feed your bunny when their are unwell. For example, you might want it on hand for after neuter/spay surgery if they aren't eating enough, or if your bunny is showing signs of G.I Stasis.
Greens and treats
Bunnies have sensitive digestive systems, so please wait until a young bunny reaches 4 months of age before moving on to fresh food. After that you can start to introduce new vegetables one at a time. This way, if a digestive upset occurs, you will know which food may be the causing the issue. Eliminate those that cause soft stools or diarrhea. Continue to add more colourful veggies to their diet over time. Once your rabbit is used to several vegetables, feed them at least three different kinds daily to ensure a balanced diet. I don't recommend root vegetables (carrots!) or fruits until at least 6 months of age, as they are more likely to cause tummy upsets.
Some examples of veggies I feed my rabbits are:
grasses (timothy grass, oat grass, wheat grass, barley hay, cat grass, Bromegrass, Bermudagrass)
lettuces (NO iceberg lettuce though as it lacks nutrients and fiber and isn't good for bunnies to eat.)
dandelions
bok choy
kale
spinach
spring mix
carrot tops (the greens only)
Another treat that you may consider buying for your bunny is steel cut oats. We purchase oats at bulkbarn and give them a pinch every few days as a treat, or daily to nursing Mommas. This is totally optional and up to you and your vets discretion.
Pellets/fortified food.
For young bunnies I recommend either Oxbow young rabbit pellets or Martin's little friends original food. Bunnies can be on young rabbit food for up to 5 months. However, I prefer to get them started on the adult formula after 12 weeks to get them eating grass hay sooner and to prevent bunnies from being overweight/picky hay eaters. I recommend moving on to an adult Oxbow formula or martin's little friends timothy adult food. We will carry all of these products in our store. Digestive Support tablets are a great tummy support for rabbits with longer fur, rabbits feeling under the weather and rabbits who are blowing their coat. Critical care is important to have on hand as well. It's a powder formula you mix with water to syringe feed your bunny when their are unwell. For example, you might want it on hand for after neuter/spay surgery if they aren't eating enough, or if your bunny is showing signs of G.I Stasis.
Greens and treats
Bunnies have sensitive digestive systems, so please wait until a young bunny reaches 4 months of age before moving on to fresh food. After that you can start to introduce new vegetables one at a time. This way, if a digestive upset occurs, you will know which food may be the causing the issue. Eliminate those that cause soft stools or diarrhea. Continue to add more colourful veggies to their diet over time. Once your rabbit is used to several vegetables, feed them at least three different kinds daily to ensure a balanced diet. I don't recommend root vegetables (carrots!) or fruits until at least 6 months of age, as they are more likely to cause tummy upsets.
Some examples of veggies I feed my rabbits are:
grasses (timothy grass, oat grass, wheat grass, barley hay, cat grass, Bromegrass, Bermudagrass)
lettuces (NO iceberg lettuce though as it lacks nutrients and fiber and isn't good for bunnies to eat.)
dandelions
bok choy
kale
spinach
spring mix
carrot tops (the greens only)
Another treat that you may consider buying for your bunny is steel cut oats. We purchase oats at bulkbarn and give them a pinch every few days as a treat, or daily to nursing Mommas. This is totally optional and up to you and your vets discretion.
The next step is to get everything ready for your bunny. This includes a cage or pen such as a dog crate and/or exercise pen (see cage ideas), I love using NIC grid also known as C and C grid to create a pen/cage/condo or even just to block off certain areas of the house.
And of course, a litter box. There are many options when it comes to a litter box. Most bunnies do great in a kitty litter box, We use both covered and uncovered boxes. As long as there is room for them to hop in and comfortably move around, you're good! We also use tote boxes and cut two exits in them, for a roomy, cost-efficient bathroom space.
You'll also want some bedding for the litter box (such as wood stove pellets, carefresh, or yesterday's news) You never want to use a clay kitty litter, it will hurt you bunny's lungs and tummy, any paper based litters will work fine.
Bunny will also need a water crock, possibly a food dish or two for pellets and greens, small nail clippers (generally found in the cat section and look like scissors), and a brush or 3 depending on the breed of bunny.
One of the best bunny combs is the Hair Buster from Amazon (diy hack here) I also use the furbuster which I purchased from shur gain. A hay rack is handy, but toilet paper tubes work great too. As shown below, you can also use toys and items from thrift stores and dollar stores! Be resourceful, there are lots of ways to be fully functional but also stay within a budget as long as you're willing to get creative and have fun.
And of course, a litter box. There are many options when it comes to a litter box. Most bunnies do great in a kitty litter box, We use both covered and uncovered boxes. As long as there is room for them to hop in and comfortably move around, you're good! We also use tote boxes and cut two exits in them, for a roomy, cost-efficient bathroom space.
You'll also want some bedding for the litter box (such as wood stove pellets, carefresh, or yesterday's news) You never want to use a clay kitty litter, it will hurt you bunny's lungs and tummy, any paper based litters will work fine.
Bunny will also need a water crock, possibly a food dish or two for pellets and greens, small nail clippers (generally found in the cat section and look like scissors), and a brush or 3 depending on the breed of bunny.
One of the best bunny combs is the Hair Buster from Amazon (diy hack here) I also use the furbuster which I purchased from shur gain. A hay rack is handy, but toilet paper tubes work great too. As shown below, you can also use toys and items from thrift stores and dollar stores! Be resourceful, there are lots of ways to be fully functional but also stay within a budget as long as you're willing to get creative and have fun.
Bringing bunny home
You never want to carry a bunny on your lap or have them loose in the car. It's super dangerous and scary for your already stressed bunny. So you're going to want a soft or hard carrier to bring your bunny home in. I recommend a small cat carrier, but if you have a carrier already that's fine, just make sure they aren't going to go flying if the car takes a sudden stop. Having a pet carrier is important for vet visits as well as moving your bunny from one area to another, as most bunnies don't feel very secure being carried by hand. Add a blanket and some hay in a toilet paper tube and you are good to go! You always want hay accessible to your bunny, they likely won't eat it, but it's still a good idea to pack it.
It's time to help your bunny settle in
When you bring home your new bunny, they're going to need some time to themselves, Every bunny is different, but many are shy by nature, and need a gentle hand to guide them in their forever home. Once you have your pen set up, with a litter box, water dish, some chew toys and a hidey house, you can place the carrier in the pen and open it. Give them time to come out on their own. And once they're in their pen, give them some time to adjust. Try to keep the room quieter if possible for their first week or two. Don't reach into their pen or grab at them. Just let them figure out where they are, smell everything, and rest. They need time to realize this is their safe place. If you have other animals try to keep them away from your new bunny.
Once they seem relaxed enough to come out and explore on their own, you can sit near them. Talk to them, watch tv, read a book, allow them to get used to you. Maybe leave a stuffed animal or a tee shirt that smells like you nearby. Another great tip to get your bunny comfortable with you is hand feeding. This can even just be their pellets.
Remember, they've just lost their home, siblings and Momma. It's a big change for a little bunny, but with lots of patience and love, they will come out of their shell. This can take weeks or months, but the pay off is beyond worth it.
We welcome you to send us pictures! Getting pictures of bunnies in their new homes and with their new owners is SO special to us, and these pictures will get posted on our future "hoppy ever after" page! :)
You never want to carry a bunny on your lap or have them loose in the car. It's super dangerous and scary for your already stressed bunny. So you're going to want a soft or hard carrier to bring your bunny home in. I recommend a small cat carrier, but if you have a carrier already that's fine, just make sure they aren't going to go flying if the car takes a sudden stop. Having a pet carrier is important for vet visits as well as moving your bunny from one area to another, as most bunnies don't feel very secure being carried by hand. Add a blanket and some hay in a toilet paper tube and you are good to go! You always want hay accessible to your bunny, they likely won't eat it, but it's still a good idea to pack it.
It's time to help your bunny settle in
When you bring home your new bunny, they're going to need some time to themselves, Every bunny is different, but many are shy by nature, and need a gentle hand to guide them in their forever home. Once you have your pen set up, with a litter box, water dish, some chew toys and a hidey house, you can place the carrier in the pen and open it. Give them time to come out on their own. And once they're in their pen, give them some time to adjust. Try to keep the room quieter if possible for their first week or two. Don't reach into their pen or grab at them. Just let them figure out where they are, smell everything, and rest. They need time to realize this is their safe place. If you have other animals try to keep them away from your new bunny.
Once they seem relaxed enough to come out and explore on their own, you can sit near them. Talk to them, watch tv, read a book, allow them to get used to you. Maybe leave a stuffed animal or a tee shirt that smells like you nearby. Another great tip to get your bunny comfortable with you is hand feeding. This can even just be their pellets.
Remember, they've just lost their home, siblings and Momma. It's a big change for a little bunny, but with lots of patience and love, they will come out of their shell. This can take weeks or months, but the pay off is beyond worth it.
We welcome you to send us pictures! Getting pictures of bunnies in their new homes and with their new owners is SO special to us, and these pictures will get posted on our future "hoppy ever after" page! :)