You can collect your new bunny from the breeder or pet shop or shelter in a carrying case or a strong cardboard box with ventilation holes, well padded with hay and straw. This is not a Bunnies Cage or Rabbit Nest.
Remember that this is stressful for a rabbit, and that it will be much happier if you take it straight home to the new Bunnies Cage so it can settle as quickly as possible. It is important that you have everything your bunny needs for its bunnies cage or rabbit nest bevor you take it home.
Items for the bunnies cage or rabbit nest are:
- newspaper and straw to line the bunnies cage or rabbit nest
- a heavy food bowl that your rabbit cannot chew or tip over easily
- rabbit food mix (timothy hay)
- a water bottle
- a mineral/vitamin stone which your rabbit can gnaw at to keep its teeth in trim
- hay and a hay rack, so it stays clean
- a litter tray with litter (organic)
- and a large comfortable bunnies cage or rabbit nest
- 3ft x 2ft x 18in high for a small bunny
- 4ft x 2ft x 2ft high for a medium-size bunny
- 5ft x 2ft x 2ft high for a large bunny
- 6ft x 2.6ft x 2.6ft for a giant bunny
As soon as you get home, put your rabbit in its bunnies cage and leave it alone for a while. Rabbits are naturally timid and your pet will find all the unfamiliar scents and voices overwhelming on its first day. However, given the opportunity, your rabbit will soon be busy making itself at home in his bunnies cage or rabbit nest. Sniffing everything new and generally leaving its scent around the rabbit nest. Your bunny will need a little time to get used to its new bunnies cage or rabbit nest and surroundings and will start eating, drinking and grooming itself only when it feels comfortable and relaxed , so welcome this as a positive sign.
Put plenty of food and hay in its bunnies cage or rabbit nest and go and talk to your rabbit soothingly from time to time.
A bunnies cage should be inside the house.
- in a quiet corner
- a room where you spend a lot of time
- near a window or other source of natural light, avoid direct sunlight
- away from bright lights, hot radiators or heaters, draughts or smells
But if your rabbit nest is outside , make sure:
- it is an a sheltered position away from strong sunlight and winds
- it does not rest directly on the ground
- it has a overhanging roof to keep your rabbit dry
- the bunnies cage or rabbit nest doors can be securely locked (other animals getting in)
- your rabbit kept warm by lining the bunnies cage with lots of straw
If you have bought a bunnies cage or rabbit nest with bars all round and no proper bedroom your rabbit might feel uncomfortable and rather exposed, especially when it is trying to rest.
Provide a wooden box (strong cardboard box) in your bunnies cage or rabbit nest with a round opening for hopping in and out and a hinged roof for easy cleaning. This wil make all the difference to your bunny, who will be able to go inside its cosy box whenever it wants some peace and quiet in its bunnies cage.
Do not forget to put a litter box in one of the back corners in your rabbit nest.
On day two you can let your rabbit out of its rabbit nest for the first time, but you have to prepare for it. You have to make the area escape proof. If you let your rabbit out of its bunnies cage inside the house let it explore one room at a time. Move slowly and quietly and give your bunny the chance to find its bearings. It will come hoping to you soon enough if you resist the temptation to crowd around it or pick it up.
Do not leave your bunny unsupervised outside its bunnies cage or rabbits nest.
