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New Owner..Clueless

22 11:37:11

Question
I just recently became the owner of a 5 pound rabbit.  I have a pen and a smaller cage.  I have a 9 year old, a 3 year old, 2 year old, and an infant.  We are all excited, though it happened fast.  My husband had a friend who had to move into a smaller place and gave us the rabbit.  Now what?  He came with pellet food, but i read that hay is better for him..how do we transition him to a healthier diet?  I gave him a carrot and he just looks at it.  Should we take him out daily for fresh air in a secure environment?  He used to stay in a basement.  Should i seperate his eating space from his litter area.  When he was brought his food was in his cage and he uses the bathroom in it also...basically I dont know anything and have not had the chance to get to the library as of yet..this is only our second day..whatever information you can share will be greatly appreciated.  Thank You...Mrs. Rivers

Answer
Dear Mrs. Rivers,

Pellet food is generally the main part of a domestic rabbit's diet, but timothy or grass hay is good to give in addition to the pellet food, as it is high in fiber, and is supposed to aid the digestion. He does not have to eat carrots if he does not like them. If you can, it would probably be good if you could take the bunny out to hold him and get him fresh air and exercise. Of course, he should be supervised, and in a rabbit-proofed area, with no wires, sharp objects, predators, or other dangerous objects.

If he is in a cage with a tray underneath for the droppings, then it is fine to keep the food inside the cage. If he is in a cage where he sits on the litter (if you use animal bedding that is made up of wood shavings, do not get cedar, as it is toxic to rabbits)just make sure you clean out the bowl whenever it gets bedding or droppings in it. No matter what type of cage, though, the rabbit still may manage get undesireable objects in the food bowl. Just dump it out and get fresh stuff if it is really dirty, and if there is anything stuck to the bowl when it is dumped out, wash it with dishsoap and warm water, then dry it thoroughly. Sanitation is one of the best preventions of disease, so be sure to keep the living area as clean as possible.

I hope this helps.
God Bless
AEJ