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🐰 Bunnies 101
Welcome
to the heart of Setareh Bunnies — a safe, gentle space to learn
everything you need to know about caring for your rabbit with love,
intention, and respect. Whether you’re a brand-new bunny parent or you’re expanding your knowledge, this page gives you the basics all in one place. ⸻ 🌿 1. Understanding Your Bunny Rabbits are prey animals, which means they communicate mostly through body language and subtle behaviors. They feel safest when their environment is quiet, predictable, and gentle. Core things to remember: • Fast breathing is normal (120–300 RPM) • They hide pain extremely well • Loud noises & sudden movement can stress them • They bond deeply with their people • Routine = security ⸻ 🏡 2. Housing & Enclosures Proper housing is essential — not optional — for a healthy, happy bunny. Recommended: ✔ Exercise pen (x-pen) ✔ 4 ft x 4 ft minimum (bigger is better) ✔ Space to hop, run, stretch, stand upright ✔ Soft flooring (no wire bottoms) ✔ Hideaway for safety ✔ Litter box with paper-based litter Avoid: ✘ Small hutches ✘ Wire-bottom cages ✘ Tiny pet store “rabbit cages” ✘ Limited movement enclosures Why it matters: Rabbits kept in too-small spaces often develop aggression, GI issues, and stress behaviors. Spacious housing prevents nearly every common bunny problem before it starts. ⸻ 🥕 3. Diet Basics Your rabbit’s diet is EVERYTHING. It’s the foundation of their gut, teeth, behavior, and overall health. Daily Diet: ✔ Hay — unlimited (Timothy, orchard, meadow) ✔ Fresh greens — 1–2 cups (Poppy’s favorites: romaine, parsley, green leaf) ✔ Quality pellets — measured amount ✔ Fresh water — always available Treats (limited): • Very small pieces of carrot • Low-sugar fruits • Rose hips, dandelion, herbs • Freeze-dried veggies Avoid: ✘ Seed mixes ✘ Yogurt drops ✘ Sugary treats ✘ Junk-store rabbit food ✘ High-oxalate greens (too often) ⸻ 🧼 4. Litter & Cleaning Rabbits can be very clean pets when set up correctly. Use: ✔ Paper-based litter (Yesterday’s News, Carefresh, paper pellets) ✔ A litter box with hay next to or inside (they love to eat while pooping) Avoid: ✘ Clay cat litter ✘ Pine/cedar shavings ✘ Corn cob litter Spot clean daily. Deep clean weekly. ⸻ 🧠 5. Enrichment & Play Rabbits need mental stimulation just as much as physical movement. Great enrichment ideas:** ✔ Foraging mats ✔ Willow balls ✔ Cardboard toys ✔ Dig boxes ✔ Tunnels ✔ Fluff Gym (your adorable chinchilla version — but rabbit-safe 😉) Signs your bunny is under-stimulated:** • Chewing walls/furniture • Digging carpet • Overgrooming • Acting irritable ⸻ 🩺 6. Health & Vet Care Rabbits are considered exotic pets and need an exotics-trained veterinarian. Annual care includes:** ✔ Yearly wellness exam ✔ Nail trims ✔ Dental checks ✔ Weight checks Emergency signs (go to the vet ASAP):** ⚠ Not eating ⚠ Not pooping ⚠ Lethargy ⚠ Shallow breathing ⚠ Sudden aggression ⚠ Diarrhea ⚠ Grinding teeth loudly ⚠ Bloated abdomen GI stasis is life-threatening — hours matter. ⸻ 💛 7. Bonding & Behavior Bonding with a bunny takes patience, softness, and consistency. How to build trust:** • Sit on the floor and let them come to you • Offer greens by hand • Avoid picking up unless necessary • Talk softly • Move slowly Good behavior signs:** ✨ Binkies ✨ Zoomies ✨ Flops ✨ Nudging you ✨ Grooming your clothes Stress/aggression signs:** ⚠ Thumping ⚠ Growling ⚠ Biting ⚠ Lunging ⚠ Hiding constantly These usually signal fear or cramped living conditions, not “bad behavior.” ⸻ 🧺 8. Bunny-Proofing Your Home Bunnies chew EVERYTHING to keep their teeth worn down. Protect: ✔ Cords ✔ Baseboards ✔ Furniture ✔ Carpet corners ✔ Plants Provide safe alternatives to redirect chewing. ⸻ 🫶 9. Emotional Support Bunnies Rabbits can be incredibly grounding and healing. Their calm presence, quiet routines, and gentle energy can help reduce anxiety, regulate emotions, and create soothing daily rituals. Poppy is absolutely doing that for me. 🥹💛 |
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