BUNNY FAQ
Welcome to CT Binky Boppers' FAQ section. Here you can find answers to common questions about owning a bunny. If you don't see an answer to a question you have, feel free to reach out to us.
WHAT TYPE OF SETUP DO I NEED FOR MY BUNNY?
When it comes to providing a comfortable and safe environment for your baby bunny, indoor enclosures are essential. We highly recommend using an x-pen or a doggie playpen, like these ones available on Amazon. A larger space is always better, as the days of small hutches and wire cages are behind us! Remember, wire cages can lead to hock sores and discomfort over time. Each of our bunnies has their own playpen equipped with washable pee pad liners to prevent hazards of disposable ones, and we place multiple litter boxes in their favorite peeing spots to encourage quick training. For a customizable option, DIY click and snap playpens are fantastic, allowing you to design the perfect setup for your space. Just remember bunnies can jump high! We recommend at least 32" or higher for your enclosure
CAN I LITTER TRAIN MY BUNNY?
Yes! Litter training your new rabbit can be a rewarding experience. by confining them to a smaller area using a playpen, gradually increasing their space as they make progress. Position their food and water bowls so have to sit on the litter box, as this encourages them to use it. The more boxes in the beginning, the better! Place a box wherever you notice your bunny peeing. You will also want to use some type of neutralizer pellet. We buy wood stove pellets from Home Depot around $6 for a huge bag. Remember to avoid soft fabrics in their enclosure, as rabbits are likely to urinate on those. Additionally, consider spaying or neutering around six months to avoid hormonal issues that may affect their litter habits.
Once your pet has mastered their training, they’ll likely prefer to use one box. At that point, you can transition to a larger box. While Rooly XL litter boxes are great, they can be pricey, so if you can find a similar alternative it is definitely worth considering.
We recommend using these flat litter boxes in the beginning. They're easy to place wherever you need them. Some of our adults still use these in their enclosures, but we noticed as they age and the poops get slightly bigger, they don't fall down in the grate as well.
Then upgrading to a box like this. Unfortunately, I can only find these boxes off temu, but they work so great! They make clean up so easy, especially if you use litter bags inside (also purchased/available off temu).
WHAT SHOULD I FEED MY BUNNY?
If your bunny is under 5 months, we recommend a hay and pellet only diet. Alfalfa and timothy hay is required for bunnies under a year old. Once they reach one year, they can switch to just timothy hay. Alfalfa contains high calcium, so it's not a good choice for older rabbits as it can create several health problems. Rabbits should always have an unlimited supply of hay.
As for pellets, we feed Oxbow Young Rabbit Pellets to our bunnies under a year old. Around 6 months, we start transitioning Tractor Supply's "Home Fresh Show Hutch Deluxe 17" into their food. This is not necessary though. We like Show Hutch Deluxe for our adults because it's a good quality and extremely affordable. A 50lb bag is around $26!
Around 4.5 months, you can slowly start introducing new food items, like dark leafy greens, or a fruit or veggie in moderation. Fruits contain a lot of sugar and should be limited. Some of our bunnies' favorites are romaine lettuce, parsley, and cilantro. Kale too, in moderation! Never feed ice-berg lettuce to any animal, as there's no nutritional value to it and will give your bunny diarrhea.
What type of treats or enrichment can I provide my bunny?
Around 4.5 months, we'll take toilet paper rolls and cut them in half and stuff them with some dark leafy greens. Bunny learns foraging skills while enjoying a healthy snack. You can also find "timothy hay" treats and chews for your bunny to enjoy. Ours love Vitakraft Nibble Rings. Foraging mats are also great! Just sprinkle some pellets throughout and your bunny will forage for hours. You can also sprinkle dried flower varieties for rabbits found in pet stores to really make your bunny happy. You can also give a teaspoon of old-fashioned rolled oats as a treat. We promise, your bun will love you for it! We found a simply cardboard box containing ripped up brown kraft paper, or paper bags makes great enrichment for bunnies. We then sprinkle some pellets, a few of their favorite treats, and hay on top, and allow them to play for days! Once the box starts getting yucky -- just throw it away! Around 6 m0nths of age, we provide small pieces of dehydrated or freeze-dried fruits in moderation.
We've also partnered with a new company that sells "Binkie Boxes" just for rabbits. Available on our shop page, Happy Pet Co. curates new monthly boxes for your pets -- not just bunnies. Better yet, there's no subscription commitment. Just buy a box when you need one. And! Every sale helps a shelter animal in need
NORMAL BUNNY POOP AND PEE
Bunny's urinate can be a number of colors from clear to red and everything in between. Unless you're noticing brown, chalky urine, or spotted urine then it's usually not a concern. The chart below can help you identify normal pee. Make sure to screenshot it so you always have it for reference! We promise, there will be a time you'll ask yourself -- "is this normal?"
Bunny's poop anywhere from 200-300 pellets a day. Normal poop is a nice round shape. Some bunnies naturally poop smaller than others too. If you notice smaller than usual, hard poops, it may be the first sign of GI Stasis. Bunnies have very sensitive guts, and any stress can cause GI Stasis. Knowing the signs early can help prevent a fatality. Worried about GI Stasis? Full blog post on what it is and what to do, coming soon!
Bunnies also molt their coats 2x a year -- in spring and fall. This can cause them to digest extra fur, which is why brushing them during molt season is so important. If they digest extra fur, you'll notice string like poops, strung together. Fresh pineapple juice (not canned) and papaya are known t0 help break up the fur. Give a small amount of fresh pineapple/juice to help break things up; or purchase something like Sherwood's Digestive Support to keep on hand for when you notice symptoms. Most importantly though, brush your bunny regularly!
Rabbits also poop something called cecotropes, which are essentially a clump of poop pellets. Your bunny is supposed to eat these, as they contain nutrients the bunny didn't digest the first time around.
BUNNY FIRST AID KIT & EXOTICS VET
While keeping an indoor bunny is rewarding, and usually uneventful with sickness. Bunnies can be known for getting sick or stressed easily, so it's best to know how to treat at the first signs. We also recommend finding a good exotics vet that specializes in rabbits. We've lost a bunny to an inexperienced vet performing a spay surgery before, so make sure they're rabbit savvy. While this first aid kit for rabbits does not replace veterinary care, we like to have a kit available in the event of an emergency situation. Gi-stasis is usually the most common issue with rabbits and can be treated at home if you noticed the first signs of it.
The following items are in our care package:
OXBOW CRITICAL CARE -
Bloat or Enteritis, GI Stasis, or any stressful events
(If you notice bunny stops eating, start this)
This and gas drops are most important thing on this list to have on hand, in my opinion. Rabbits tend to get sick at night when vets are closed. They need to eat. If their gut slows down -- it can be fatal.
PET GEL BENE-BAC PLUS PROBIOTIC -
Stressful events or leaving your bunny
GAS RELIEF (INFANT DROPS - ANY BRAND)
Tummy issues, bloating, gi stasis
(1st signs of Gi-stasis, not eating/pooping, or small hard poops visible -begin gas drops immediately) Gas drops are fine to give even as a precaution! They won't hurt your bunny if they don't necessarily need them. You want to gently massage bunny's belly to release gas also.
VetRX Veterinary Aid - Rabbit Aid
Respiratory Issues
(Sneezing, runny nose etc.-- can put in water)
Like us, bunnies can catch a cold. If your rabbit is having difficulty breathing or showing severe respiratory symptoms -- see vet immediately. If mild symptoms do not improve or return again after 2 weeks -- also see vet. They could have Pasteurella, and need antiobiotics.
Healthy Animals 4EVER
Respiratory Problems for Rabbits
All natural ingredients to make breathing easier during a cold.
I also use for the "snuffles", like sneezing.
Vetericyn Plus Antimicrobial Hydrogel
For Dogs/Cats/Rabbits/Horses
Minor cuts or skin irritations
Great to have on hand for any kind of animal in the event they get injured.
Disclaimer: None of these meds are meant to replace a vet but rather buy time until you can see a vet. Please use your judgement. While most things can be treated at home, if it's severe or ongoing, please see a vet.
CAN I LET MY BUNNY PLAY OUTSIDE?
Yes, if you follow safety precautions. Rabbits are prey animals; therefore, birds and other outdoor sounds could literally scare them to death. I've read plenty of stories. We have huge hawks where we live that love to soar the sky in hopes of a tasty meal. I don't want my rabbits becoming their lunch or dinner. Birds of prey aren't the only thing as there's a lot of other wild animals/factors as well. Please make sure to always keep your bunny supervised if you allow them to play outdoors.
Pesticides on the grass are a huge no-no. Keep your rabbit away from any treated lawns. I've had 2 ferrets get sick and die from playing outside on a lawn because they caught something, and the vet had no clue what it was. Lesson learned the hard way.
Remember wild animals' poop and pee on your lawn. They have diseases that can be deadly. Wild rabbits foraging on your grass could have highly contagious and often fatal Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease (RHD), or coccidia and then your bunny catches it. That's not the only infection/disease to worry about either. There are also mites, fleas, and ticks to worry which can transmit myxomatosis, a potentially fatal disease.
So, while we're all for getting your bunny out in fresh air to play, it must be done safely. An enclosure with something covering the top is a must, and we would recommend a liner for the bottom as well. Make sure your bunny has plenty of hides and tunnels available as well. I'm even a little OCD about shoes in the house where my bunnies free roam. I worry something can be tracked in the house and then they'll catch it. Always use discretionary caution as you want what's best for your bunny.
BUNNY PICKUP/SHIPPING
Thank you for considering adopting one of our beloved babies! We are located in Connecticut, and depending on litter availability, pick may be required in either Hamden or New Britain, CT. Please note: we do not ship live bunnies. If you are out of state and prefer not to drive, you may hire a transport at your own expense, and we'll do our best to accommodate you. It is solely the buyer's responsibility to find the transport company and set it up. Additional fees may apply depending on where we need to meet the transport company.
