Why Rabbits are not Easter Decorations
Rabbits are very high maintenance and expensive to set up and maintain properly. They are a lot more work than a dog or a cat.
They have an average lifespan of 10-12 years with some getting even older. This is a long commitment.
Rabbits must not be kept alone! They are social animals and require at least one other member of their own species - an ideal group is two males and two females. Groups of four allow for more stimulation.
A mixed group means that the males must be neutered, this must happen before 12 weeks in most breeds. The females may also need to be spayed as they can go through pseudo pregnancy where they think that they are pregnant and so act accordingly. They can become aggressive with their rabbit group and even owner. This causes immense distress for the rabbit.
Rabbits need to be vaccinated. They will require both the Nobivac Myxo-RHD and the Filavac RHD K C+V every year, this can get quite expensive. They absolutely need these vaccinations even if they live indoors. For more information click here.
Rabbits most often don’t like being picked up and some don’t enjoy being stroked or any human contact at all.
Rabbits can be very destructive, a carpet and skirting board can be destroyed in minutes!
A hutch should never be a home for rabbits. Outside they require a shed or a playhouse with a secure attached run or aviary that they have constant access to. Indoors they must have a large rabbit proofed enclosure or be allowed to free roam - NOT a cage from a pet shop. A good starting point is an area of 10m2. An area of 4m2 can only be offered if the rabbits are allowed to free-range for the majority of the day, every day!
A rabbits diet is complex and expensive. You will need to spend a large amount of money on fresh food and you will need to go out and forage in nature for fresh wild plants. This means that you need to learn to identify safe plants. Pellets should not be fed, find out more here.
Rabbits can suffer from tooth problems if they are fed the incorrect diet and this can become extremely expensive and stressful for the rabbit.
Rabbits need constant food (not just hay) available to them, as they eat small meals all throughout the day and night as they are natural grazers. If you do not provide this, rabbits will get GI Stasis where the digestive system shuts down due to lack of food. This can happen overnight and can be fatal! For more information click here.
Rabbits must be health checked and their nails need to be clipped often which is extremely difficult when most rabbits do not like being picked up. Long-haired rabbits need to be brushed daily.
Although rabbits may look cute, they are not toys. They like their own space and do not enjoy being man-handled. They can die of fright.
If at the end of this list you still want rabbits, then consider waiting until after Easter and going to a rescue. They will be full of unwanted Easter rabbits needing homes and they are usually already neutered and vaccinated, cutting initial costs.
Dried Veggies are a great snack! Especially useful for taming and to add extra nutrients into the diet. Containing no preservatives, these snacks are completely natural.
Suitable for all small animals. Composition: Beetroot, parsnip, carrot, cabbage and sweet peppers.
Do not give to pets who are on a pelleted diet. For reasons not to feed pellets please click here
Pea Flakes are a great way to bond with your pet and are especially useful for taming. A healthy snack and great for those that have increased calorie requirements, they ensure a healthy and natural diet with essential minerals and amino acids.
Suitable for rabbits, guinea-pigs, hamsters, gerbils, mice, rats, degus & chinchillas .
Bunny Meadow Mouse Mix is a complete dried food for Mice.
In addition to their dried food they should also receive daily forage, herbs, branches & vegetables.
Feeding recommendation: 1 tsp per day for an adult Mouse.
Bunny Meadow Roborovski Hamster Mix is a complete dried food for Roborovski Hamsters.
In addition to their dried food they should also receive daily forage, fruits, herbs, branches & vegetables.
Feeding recommendation: 1 tsp per day for an adult Roborovski Hamster.
Bunny Meadow Syrian Hamster Mix is a complete dried food for Syrian Hamsters.
In addition to their dried food they should also receive daily forage, fruits, herbs, branches & vegetables.
Feeding recommendation: 1 tbsp per day for an adult Syrian Hamster.
THIS IS A NEW RECIPE. NEW PHOTOS COMING SOON (CURRENT PHOTO SHOWS OLD FOOD)
Bunny Meadow Dwarf Hamster Mix is a complete dried food for Dwarf Hamsters.
In addition to their dried food they should also receive daily forage, herbs, branches & vegetables.
Feeding recommendation: 1 tsp per day for an adult Dwarf Hamster.
Bunny Meadow Gerbil Mix is a complete dried food for Gerbils.
In addition to their dried food they should also receive daily forage, fruits, herbs, branches & vegetables.
Feeding recommendation: 1 heaped tsp per day for an adult gerbil.
THIS IS A NEW RECIPE. NEW PHOTOS COMING SOON (CURRENT PHOTO SHOWS OLD FOOD)
Bunny Meadow Rat Mix is a complete dried food for rats.
In addition to their dried food they should also receive daily forage, fruits, herbs, branches & vegetables.
Feeding recommendation: 1-2 tbsp per day for an adult rat.
Bunny Meadow Degu Seed Mix should only be a small proportion of the diet. They should also receive daily forage, fresh herbs, branches, hay & vegetables. Dried herbs should also be offered for free admission.
The Degu Seed Mix & Degu Herbal Mix should replace pellets in the diet.
Feeding recommendation: 1 tbsp per day for an adult Degu.
Seeds are great for preventing diseases and they can also relieve symptoms such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, constipation or skin problems. Degus would naturally eat them in the wild.
Fresh food is rich in water which may mean that your degu will drink less. This is normal and in the wild they would naturally obtain most of their water from food.
Vegetables do not cause bloat in a healthy degu with a normal digestive tract on a pellet free, varied natural diet as recommended above. If your degu has an issue with it’s digestion be careful with cruciferous vegetables. Introduce vegetables slowly if you have just switched your degu to a pellet free diet and use mainly leafy greens.
Bunny Meadow Chinchilla Seed Mix should only be a small proportion of the diet. They should also receive daily forage, fruits, vegetables, fresh herbs, branches & hay. Dried herbs should also be offered for free admission.
The Chinchilla Seed Mix & Chinchilla Herbal Mix should replace pellets in the diet.
Feeding recommendation: 1 tbsp per day for an adult Chinchilla.
Seeds are great for preventing diseases and they can also relieve symptoms such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, constipation or skin problems. Chinchillas would naturally eat them in the wild.
Fresh food is rich in water which may mean that your chinchilla will drink less. This is normal and in the wild they would naturally obtain most of their water from food.
Vegetables do not cause bloat in a healthy chinchilla with a normal digestive tract on a pellet free, varied natural diet as recommended above. If your chinchilla has an issue with it’s digestion be careful with cruciferous vegetables. Introduce vegetables slowly if you have just switched your chinchilla to a pellet free diet and use mainly leafy greens.
Millet sprays are great as a treat or as enrichment. They are also great for adding to natural enclosures. Suitable for hamsters, mice, rats, gerbils, degus, chinchillas, rabbits and guinea-pigs! Millet sprays are especially well digested as the millet is in its naturally more fibrous form.
Bunny Meadow Herbal Mix is suitable for Rabbits, Guinea-pigs, Degus, Chinchillas, Rats, Mice, Hamsters and Gerbils.
Indoor Spring Mix contains whole leaves that help to wear down teeth and a rich selection of herbs, plants and roots that support a healthy colon and prevent obesity.
Especially useful when forage is less abundant. Perfect for replacing unhealthy and damaging pellets.
Free from dangerous colours and additives.
Suitable for rabbits (under 5kg) and guinea-pigs kept indoors during the spring. Feeding recommendation: 30 g / kg weight and adjust as necessary.
To find out more information on why pellets and nuggets are not safe to feed please click here.
Outdoor Spring Mix contains whole leaves that help to wear down teeth and a rich selection of herbs, plants and roots that support a healthy colon and prevent obesity.
Especially useful when forage is less abundant. Perfect for replacing unhealthy and damaging pellets.
Free from dangerous colours and additives.
Suitable for rabbits (under 5kg) and guinea-pigs kept outdoors during the spring. Feeding recommendation: 30 g / kg weight and adjust as necessary.
To find out more information on why pellets and nuggets are not safe to feed please click here.
Indoor Large Breed Spring Mix contains whole leaves that help to wear down teeth and a rich selection of herbs, plants and roots that support a healthy colon and prevent obesity.
Especially useful when forage is less abundant. Perfect for replacing unhealthy and damaging pellets.
Free from dangerous colours and additives.
Suitable for rabbits over 5kg kept indoors during the spring. Also suitable for underweight or older animals and skinny pigs indoors in spring.
Feeding recommendation: 30 g / kg weight and adjust as necessary.
To find out more information on why pellets and nuggets are not safe to feed please click here.
Outdoor Large Breed Spring Mix contains whole leaves that help to wear down teeth and a rich selection of herbs, plants and roots that support a healthy colon and prevent obesity.
Especially useful when forage is less abundant. Perfect for replacing unhealthy and damaging pellets.
Free from dangerous colours and additives.
Suitable for rabbits over 5kg kept outdoors during the spring. Also suitable for underweight or older animals outdoors in spring.
Feeding recommendation: 30 g / kg weight and adjust as necessary.
To find out more information on why pellets and nuggets are not safe to feed please click here.
Summer Mix contains whole leaves that help to wear down teeth and a rich selection of herbs, plants, leaves and roots that support a healthy colon and prevent obesity.
Especially useful when forage is less abundant. Perfect for replacing unhealthy and damaging pellets.
Free from dangerous colours and additives.
Suitable for indoor or outdoor rabbits (under 5kg) and guinea-pigs during the summer.
Feeding recommendation: 30 g / kg weight and adjust as necessary.
To find out more information on why pellets and nuggets are not safe to feed please click here.
Summer Large Breed Mix contains whole leaves that help to wear down teeth and a rich selection of herbs, leaves and roots that support a healthy colon and prevent obesity.
Especially useful when forage is less abundant. Perfect for replacing unhealthy and damaging pellets.
Free from dangerous colours and additives.
Suitable for rabbits over 5kg indoors and outdoors during the summer. Also suitable for underweight or old animals and skinny pigs in summer.
Feeding recommendation: 30 g / kg weight and adjust as necessary.
To find out more information on why pellets and nuggets are not safe to feed please click here.
Outdoor Autumn Mix contains whole leaves that help to wear down teeth and a rich selection of herbs, plants and roots that support a healthy colon and prevent obesity.
Especially useful when forage is less abundant. Perfect for replacing unhealthy and damaging pellets.
Free from dangerous colours and additives.
Suitable for rabbits (under 5kg) and guinea-pigs kept outdoors during the autumn. Feeding recommendation: 30 g / kg weight and adjust as necessary.
To find out more information on why pellets and nuggets are not safe to feed please click here.
Indoor Autumn Mix contains whole leaves that help to wear down teeth and a rich selection of herbs, flowers & roots that support a healthy colon and prevent obesity.
Especially useful when forage is less abundant. Perfect for replacing unhealthy and damaging pellets.
Free from dangerous colours and additives.
Suitable for rabbits (under 5kg) and guinea-pigs kept indoors during the autumn. Feeding recommendation: 30 g / kg weight and adjust as necessary.
To find out more information on why pellets and nuggets are not safe to feed please click here.
Indoor Autumn Mix Large Breed & Skinny Pig contains whole leaves that help to wear down teeth and a rich selection of herbs, plants and roots that support a healthy colon and prevent obesity.
Especially useful when forage is less abundant. Perfect for replacing unhealthy and damaging pellets.
Free from dangerous colours and additives.
Suitable for rabbits over 5kg kept indoors during the autumn. Also suitable for underweight or older animals and skinny pigs indoors in autumn.
Feeding recommendation: 30 g / kg weight and adjust as necessary.
To find out more information on why pellets and nuggets are not safe to feed please click here.
Outdoor Autumn Mix Large Breed Rabbit contains whole leaves that help to wear down teeth and a rich selection of herbs, plants and roots that support a healthy colon and prevent obesity.
Especially useful when forage is less abundant. Perfect for replacing unhealthy and damaging pellets.
Free from dangerous colours and additives.
Suitable for rabbits over 5kg kept outdoors during the autumn. Also suitable for underweight or older animals outdoors in autumn.
Feeding recommendation: 30 g / kg weight and adjust as necessary.
To find out more information on why pellets and nuggets are not safe to feed please click here.
Indoor Winter Mix contains whole leaves that help to wear down teeth and a rich selection of herbs, plants and roots that support a healthy colon and prevent obesity.
Especially useful in the colder months when forage is less abundant. Perfect for replacing unhealthy and damaging pellets.
Free from dangerous colours and additives.
Suitable for all rabbits & guinea-pigs (under 5kg) kept indoors during the winter. Feeding recommendation: 30 g / kg weight and adjust as necessary.
To find out more information on why pellets and nuggets are not safe to feed please click here.
Outdoor Winter Mix contains whole leaves that help to wear down teeth and a rich selection of herbs, plants and roots that support a healthy colon and prevent obesity.
Especially useful in the colder months when forage is less abundant. Perfect for replacing unhealthy and damaging pellets.
Free from dangerous colours and additives.
Suitable for all rabbits & guinea-pigs (under 5kg) kept outdoors during the winter. Feeding recommendation: 30 g / kg weight and adjust as necessary. Also suitable for underweight or older animals kept indoors over winter.
To find out more information on why pellets and nuggets are not safe to feed please click here.
Indoor Winter Mix Large Breed & Skinny Pig contains whole leaves that help to wear down teeth and a rich selection of herbs, plants and roots that support a healthy colon and prevent obesity.
Especially useful when forage is less abundant. Perfect for replacing unhealthy and damaging pellets.
Free from dangerous colours and additives.
Suitable for rabbits over 5kg kept indoors during the winter. Also suitable for underweight or older animals and skinny pigs indoors in winter.
Feeding recommendation: 30 g / kg weight and adjust as necessary.
To find out more information on why pellets and nuggets are not safe to feed please click here.
Outdoor Winter Mix Large Breed Rabbit Food contains whole leaves that help to wear down teeth and a rich selection of herbs, plants and roots that support a healthy colon and prevent obesity.
Especially useful in the colder months when forage is less abundant. Perfect for replacing unhealthy and damaging pellets.
Free from dangerous colours and additives.
Suitable for large breed rabbits (over 5kg) kept outdoors during the winter. Feeding recommendation: 30 g / kg weight and adjust as necessary. Also suitable for underweight or older animals outdoors in the winter.
To find out more information on why pellets and nuggets are not safe to feed please click here.
Bunny Meadow Leaf and Flower Mix should be offered ad libitum (as much as they want). Suitable for Rabbits, Guinea-pigs, Degus, Chinchillas, Rats, Mice, Hamsters and Gerbils.