Netherland Dwarf rabbits...Advice please?

Question

I just adopted 2 10 week old bunnies yesterday, both male from the same litter.

I know I have a big enough hutch for them, I had it checked by the pet store.

I want to know what kind of toys the bunnies would enjoy, for in their hutch and outside it. I'm planning on getting a garden run for them...Good idea or not?

I have plenty of time to look after them, there's always someone at home :)

What kind of fresh foods is it safe to give them? I was told not to give lettuce, but wasn't told why.

Any advice greatly appreciated :)

Answer 1

I also have recently got 2 rabbits. Yes, definitely get them a run so that they can experience the outdoors and enjoy the grass. It is also easier to clean out the hutch if they're not in it. I have got my rabbits a willow ball and within a couple of days it had already half gone.(It is also good for their teeth). They also a tinkly ball and they like the noise it makes and frequently pick it up with their teeth and throw it about. Also they have a tunnel made of hay which they chew and also hide in. They enjoy eating carrots, sorrel, cress and clover but all these things should be introduced gradually and don't give them too many greens over one period. I was also told not to give my rabbits lettuce because i believe it gives them tummy pains. I hope this helps but i think you should look on the internet for an answer to the lettuce query.  

Answer 2

avoid giving greens to 10 week old rabbits. Rabbits between weaning and 14 weeks are prone to Mucoid Enteritis and this can be set off with too many greens. It is best to leave out the lettuce all together throughout their lives as it is very watery and certain types carry a poison called lactucarium which will cause gastrointestional problems.

Your rabbits should have a high fibre pelleted diet so go for a pellet like burgess junior excel and lots of hay. fibre in a rabbits diet helps with digestion.

SEE MY SITE FOR A  PROPER FEEDING GUIDE

All rabbits must have access to a run or some sort of exercise. This must be at least 5 hours a day. The more the better.

Rabbits need exercise to stimulate the digestion of food and to make sure their muscles do not deteriorate and get weak.

If you are keeping these bucks together for company you must get them neutered as soon as their testicles decend.

Still there is no promises that they will get on at maturity as some bucks prefer to be paired with neutered does where there is no competition.

Another thing you must make sure of is that there is no doe rabbits housed nearby as this can set fighting off.

Answer 3

Your hutch is fine, give them rubber balls and things they can push with there head or paws, a run is a great idea as when your cleaning the hutches out you may lose them, make sure you give them at least 15 mins of running time in the garden

Do not give them Lettuce as it upsets there belly + you will have a mucky hutch.

i have two rabbits, and they Love Carrots + Celery.

Answer 4

iceberg lettuce is too full of water and will give them diahrreah. Stick to celery heart/leaves, carrot, fancy lettuce, some fresh fruit, green leafy vegetables. You should also be feeding your rabbit pellets (not grain/seed/pellet mix) and grass/meadow hay (not lucerne hay) for fiber every day. Rabbits also need to have dry food available (so pellets and hay) 24 hrs a day and fresh food once a day or free range on grass. Garden runs are a great idea just make sure it is escape proof and has very very fine mesh so cats, birds and rodents cant get in.

Toys you can buy large chewable parrot toys, and there are timber rodent toys available too since they need to chew to keep their teeth at healthy levels. Check your rabbits teeth weekly to make sure they are grinding them down or you may have to have a vet cut them. Fruit tree branches (not citrus) especially apple, pear and stone fruit make great chew toes and they can eat some of the leaves too.

Get your rabbits castrated or they will be try and tear each other apart in a couple of months. All my rescue rabbits are entire males who have become very territorial and aggressive.

Answer 5

I have 3 baby netherlands too, its a good idea to get them some willow sticks or some wood to chew because they chew their cage up very quickly. i give mine a toilet roll tube filled with hay to roll and chew and throw lol. A garden run is a very good idea too because they need a lot of exercise. you can give them most fresh food although they have a complex digestive system so you have to be careful when giving them green veg- grass is fine though. mine love apple and carrot mostly.  

Answer 6

Just make sure someone is always outside with them when they are in the garden run.  As far as toys go here is a list of toys my bunnies love:

baby car keys

empty tissue tubes filed with veggies

egg cartons

slinkies

paper bags

phone books to dig and shred

crumpled up newspaper

I feed them romaine lettuce, cilantro, carrots, dill, mint, parsley

Feed them the veggies in small servings or it can upset their digestion, don't feed ice berg lettuce it can give them diarrhea, but romaine is fine.

Good luck

Answer 7

NEVER trust pet stores for advice.. they will tell you stuff because they want to make a sale!

toys - they like toilet paper holders - and towels, and most toys for small dogs are fine for them - some like stuff animal toys or rope toys..

NO plastic toys though...

WARNING about outdoor hutches:  FLY STRIKE - if your bunnies have ddirty bottoms flies will lay their eggs on the bunnies bum, the maggots will hatch and actually can kill your bunny!!

so never outside with dirty bottoms!!!

this is an EXCELLENT link on bunny care

http://www.gomestic.com/Pets/Usual-Pets-...

lettuce - only romaine is okay, others do not have enough nutritional value and will fill the bunny up so it wont eat its good food.

carrots are best and most prefered..

see the link