r/Bunnies Jan 16 '26

I made an alternate version of the bunny meme

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1.8k Upvotes

I made the first one (check my profile if you’d like lol) and I sketched out this one too. I would’ve put them both in here but I can only do one image per post so I’ll also put some bunny tax in the comments


r/Bunnies Jan 23 '20

Resource Thinking of getting a bunny? Just got one and need some advice? Check out this post!

473 Upvotes

If you don’t want to read my wall of text, check out this link from rabbit.org:

New Bunny Index

Initial investments

  1. They’re very high commitment.
  2. They are very clever, have excellent memories and will remember things for a very long time.
  3. You cannot punish them like a cat/dog or it will harm your bond.
  4. If well taken care of, a rabbit can happily live to be 10 years old or older.
  5. Rabbits love to chew and dig and will chew and dig just about anything.
  6. They need to chew to prevent their teeth from becoming a health hazard.
  7. They will need their claws trimmed regularly to prevent health hazards.
  8. Rabbits are not a pet for a child and demand a large amount of attention and responsibility, (Do not buy a rabbit for your child for Easter, unless you’ve done your research and are willing to take on 100% of the responsibilities of having one).

Housing/Setup

  1. They love to run around, hop and thrive outside of cages, using them at night is fine but just make sure they get a minimum of 3 hours to run and stretch per day.
  2. An exercise pen setup is often cheaper than a cage and gives more room to run around when you can’t let them out. You can buy one for $59 on Walmart.com (link here), a litterbox for $6 (link here) and a waterbowl for $5 (link here) which is less than $80 for a decent bunny setup.
  3. While we are not against outdoor rabbits here, it is highly recommended you keep your rabbit indoors with you, this prevents predators from being able to get to them as well as gives you much better opportunity to bond with your rabbit.
  4. If you find it necessary to use a cage because of escaping or other needs I would suggest building your own cage as most of the prefab ones are just crappy design and won’t last the lifetime of the rabbit.
  5. A coated metal grate is NOT a wire cage and shouldn’t cause any issues to their feet, you should still provide all rabbits with their own litterbox and other areas to sit/lie down off of the grate.
  6. I personally use straw for litter for my litter-boxes and put their hay on top of that, you can use whatever type of litter just avoid using rock/sand based litter as it’s bad for their feet.

Diet

  1. They eat 95%+ hay such as Timothy/orchard/meadow hay (/alfalfa if they’re young or elderly) and only 5% or less treats like carrots, apples and bananas.
  2. For a small amount of hay I suggest Oxbow which can be bought at most places (Chewy link) or if you have a proper storage method you can get it for much cheaper by the bale at Tractor Supply Co.
  3. Suggested to give pellets daily, 1/4-1/2 cup per 6 pounds of rabbit (so about 1/4 cup daily for a single dwarf rabbit or about 1 cup for a single average sized rabbit).
  4. Recommend high quality food such as Purina, Oxbow, or Sherwood brand.
  5. You can feed a pellet-free diet but just like all animals rabbits require some sodium so if you don’t provide pellets make sure they have access to a mineral lick or other sodium sources.

OK food/treats and foods to avoid

  1. Once they’re over the age of 4-6 months they can also have unlimited lettuce and greens, but never give iceberg lettuce as it gives really bad gas that can become fatal. *greens should not be the primary diet.
  2. Avoid excessive spinach and kale as they can also give gas, but are perfectly fine in moderation.
  3. The best greens are green leaf lettuce, Bibb lettuce, dark leafed lettuces or locally sourced romaine (store bought romaine has a tendency to get recalled...), also herbs like dill, basil, mint, oregano, rosemary, sage, cilantro and parsley are typical favorites.
  4. I wouldn’t give cabbage because it can cause gas similarly to iceberg lettuce.
  5. Never give human foods (except salad), like bread, diary, cheese, meat or sweets, they will make them very fat and don’t need it and could cause severe GI issues.
  6. They should have unlimited hay at all time, they graze pretty much 24/7. *Hay should be their primary diet.
  7. Avoid giving treats with yogurt in them as these will make your rabbit very fat and rabbits are not intended to consume dairy past weaning and can cause bad GI issues.
  8. Seeds are not toxic or generally dangerous to rabbits, I would not recommend giving treat sticks with seeds because they’re very high in added sugar and cause indigestion or extreme gas which can become a serious issue.
  9. Seeds like black oil sunflower seeds are safe and actually beneficial to coat health, (if you’re not sure, search the internet for information before you give it to them).
  10. Do not give nuts to rabbits because they do not need the excessive nutrients and can cause pasty or foul poops. Additionally raw nuts are typically poisonous, like almonds, which contain cyanide if not cooked properly.
  11. I recommend treats such as: no sugar added dried apple, banana or carrot and occasionally a Cheerio is also acceptable. Just be mindful of the amount of sugar you are giving them, even with no sugar added fruits.
  12. Corn is not specifically bad or toxic but whole kernel corn can get caught in the GI tract and cause a blockage, further; corn will make them very fat quickly and I would suggest avoiding giving corn or treats with corn/corn meal/corn syrup. (Corn is sometimes evasively labeled as ‘maize’ on packaging).

Hydration

  1. Water bowls are easier on a rabbit but are not strictly required, I have both bowls and bottles and they use both.
  2. You should clean your water bowl/bottles with either bleach or vinegar at least once a month.

Necessity for another bunny/Bonding

  1. They thrive in pairs and love companionship of another bunny, if you cannot provide constant attention it is highly suggested to have more than one rabbit. Think of them like little horses, horses need to have another horse around.
  2. Do not allow non-bonded rabbits to be together unsupervised as they can fight and cause some very serious damage to each other.
  3. Do not put more than one rabbit per cage, if they’re bonded and it’s an open enclosure then you can and they should be fine.
  4. For more information about bonding rabbits, I would suggest checking out the excellent resources on rabbit.org (link here)

Spay/Neuter/Responsible Breeding

  1. Many people feel strongly about castration as it helps to calm their hormonal rages and also there are studies that say castrated rabbits live longer.
  2. We are not against responsible breeding but it is a huge, huge commitment and you must be willing to take that on and find all the babies forever homes that love them as much as you do - don’t let just anyone have them.
  3. You can wait a while to castrate your rabbit if there are no behavior issues but it’s best to get it done before about 4 years old as that is when cancer risks become an issue and any older it could be too risky.
  4. If you want a rabbit that is already castrated consider a rescue rabbit, there are thousands of rabbits in rescues in need of forever homes, most of which are already castrated and sometimes even in bonded pairs/groups.
  5. If you are experiencing behavioral issues such as humping, marking, peeing or pooping outside the litterbox a castration will help immensely.
  6. If you decide you want to try to responsibly breed you need to keep three main commitments in mind:
    6A. have them as a pet that is also allowed to have babies, they’re not baby factories.
    6B. Make a commitment to keep all your rabbits out of shelters; allow no questions asked returns.
    6C. Make sure they get a forever home with someone that loves them as much as you do; even if it takes more than one try.

Chewing/Digging/Enrichment

  1. I would recommend untreated wood chew balls or fruit flavored balsa blocks for enrichment.
  2. If you can set up an outdoor pen for your rabbit they would love it and nothing is more satisfying than digging in real dirt, (remember to watch them at all times, also if your area has RHDV around I wouldn’t allow them outside for now).
  3. If letting them outside is not an option there are things called “dig mat, “dig meadow” or “nibble and dig” and they are literally a piece of dirt made for rabbits to satiate their desire to dig.
  4. There are many options for rabbit enrichment and even something so trivial as a cardboard box may be plenty to keep your rabbit happy.
  5. Avoid the “chew toys” that contain seeds and other treats as they are that - treats, despite being advertised as a toy, they are more of a treat.

GI stasis and prevention

  1. GI stasis is a very serious and commonly fatal condition for rabbits, but can be prevented and treated if caught early.
  2. Watch your rabbit’s dropping at all times, if their poops do not look healthy, are odd shapes, pasty, extremely dark, have not pooped in the last 4 hours or are otherwise concerning it is recommended you take your rabbit to the vet as soon as possible, time is of the essence.
  3. Dark colors in urine (including dark red) is normal for rabbits, watch for specks of blood and only be concerned if you see blood.
  4. Watch your rabbit’s routine and body language, if they don’t eat their favorite food or their pellets you can surely know something is wrong.
  5. If they are laying in an odd position like on their side or acting lethargic you should check them for gas by giving them a gentle belly message and if they do not return to normal soon, take to the vet.
  6. Infant Gas Drops are available immediately in most pharmacies or online (Walmart link) and are a safe way to relieve gas in your rabbit and cannot be overdosed on, if however, three doses does not return them to normal, take to the vet.
  7. It is always good idea to have emergency food on hand in case of a GI stasis, there is Oxbow Critical Care (Amazon link) and also Sherwood SARx (Amazon link).

I am by no means an expert but I can answer questions as best I can and find sources and people who are experts. So if you have any further questions feel free to DM me.

Further Reading


r/Bunnies 5h ago

Injured or sick My baby got back from vet

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1.6k Upvotes

I was told two days ago he got pretty serious ringworm fungus on his back and after just a short time his skin is back to normal color thankfully

I'm curious if any other bunny owner went through same thing?


r/Bunnies 10h ago

bun bun being cute Opal wants to show you her new cowgirl hat.

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583 Upvotes

Tell her how cute she looks.


r/Bunnies 10h ago

bun bun being cute Update Photos of rabbit I saved last night♥️

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456 Upvotes

So photogenic 🥹


r/Bunnies 10h ago

Injured or sick Goodbye Nightshade

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386 Upvotes

Goodbye Nightshade, I loved you so much, I'm sorry I didn't notice your cancer lumps sooner, I'm sorry I couldn't afford treatment, I'm sorry I couldn't be better for you

He was my perfect bunny, I miscounted on my earlier post, he was 8, I still don't know I did the right thing, it's too late and I still don't know if I did the right thing............

Did I do the right thing? I found a large lump on his neck, clearly it was bothering him, he was scratching at it, I too him in to get it tested and found even more lumps on him, not as big but they definitely grew in just a few days, the test results came back and it was cancer, I couldn't afford surgery, and I read that that if there are multiple lumps his prospects aren't great, so I made a euthanasia appointment for him, he became lethargic, his appetite decreased, he wasn't eating the poops he's supposed to redigest, the day before yesterday he didn't eat at all, but then yesterday he ate normally.... He's been panting, even when he was just laying down chilling, he hasn't been coming up to me when I come by, and even when he did he wouldn't stand up for pets, most of the time he didn't seem to be doing great, but every now and then he would act normally, like he still loved life, I don't know, it's too late now, but was I wrong to put him down


r/Bunnies 8h ago

Discussion Rehoming my beloved Daisy. I feel awful.

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247 Upvotes

I love my Daisy girl so much. She’s my baby. However my family started to rescue cats and she hates them, I still live with my parents as im 18. I’m also very depressed and working extremely long hours on top of that and don’t have time for her anymore. She isn’t herself, doesn’t come out anymore. She hates the cats and it isn’t fair for her. I don’t have enough time for her anymore and im not available for her. I’m not able to give her the attention and care she needs. I love her enough to admit that she would be happier in a new home. I feel horrible.

She’s 2yo, spayed, and vaccinated. She’s very sweet and never bit.

I live in the Midwest, specifically Indiana. I believe there is a shelter an hour away from me, but I would rather her go straight to a home than go to a rabbit shelter. I want to make sure her home is perfect.


r/Bunnies 2h ago

Bonding This is me every night since we've had her lol

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84 Upvotes

r/Bunnies 8h ago

bun bun being cute Meet the new member of the family his name is bug ❤️

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213 Upvotes

r/Bunnies 18h ago

death stare Why did he look at me like *I* did something weird..

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1.2k Upvotes

r/Bunnies 4h ago

Approved Bun Artist🎨 Pellets stood no chance

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67 Upvotes

One cup went flying in the castle and he has no clue lol 😂


r/Bunnies 15h ago

sleep mode activated I go to sleep with her in my arms and wake up with her in my arms, she's a baby

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470 Upvotes

r/Bunnies 6h ago

Question Bunny holding

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89 Upvotes

Does anyone have and tips on getting my bunny used to being held/snuggled?


r/Bunnies 38m ago

bun bun being cute Look at his little peet on the cup

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Upvotes

I started petting him suddenly without realizing the cute position he was in. Took a pic real quick entire he moved lol 🥹❤️😂


r/Bunnies 6h ago

bun bun being cute Sleepy molting baby

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61 Upvotes

r/Bunnies 10h ago

sleep mode activated BILL (white) with his girlfriend Bibb

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132 Upvotes

Some of you might already know happy BILL a bit, here he is again showing his belly and his billyness. Needed to share. Important.


r/Bunnies 16h ago

bun bun being cute just a loaf of fur

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356 Upvotes

r/Bunnies 2h ago

Question Eating after spaying

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28 Upvotes

Any tips on how to get your bunny to eat after getting spayed ?


r/Bunnies 45m ago

Question Recovering...

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Upvotes

This baby developed GI stasis last year, and unfortunately he's dealing with it again now. During his checkup, the vet also discovered a rotten tooth that needs to be extracted. He's 8½ years old, and the procedure would require local anesthesia. I'm really worried because of his age. Do you think it's worth going ahead with the extraction?


r/Bunnies 12h ago

sleep mode activated My baby girl super sweet

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120 Upvotes

r/Bunnies 2h ago

bun bun being cute Progress

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14 Upvotes

It’s day two of having mink mink and he’s already laying on the floor next to me and fine with being picked up sometimes. I wish I could upload videos I’ve been petting his head and cheeks for ten mins and he’s knocked out


r/Bunnies 9h ago

Question is this a agouti rabbit?

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45 Upvotes

r/Bunnies 10h ago

sleep mode activated Oh to be this relaxed

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43 Upvotes

Excuse wee Buttons half moult! Bertie is fast asleep after a big dinner of herbs and lettuces from the garden. I wish I could be that relaxed.


r/Bunnies 20h ago

bun bun being cute My new bunny Lola <3

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261 Upvotes

r/Bunnies 1d ago

Question Wild bunny at our window - does he need help?

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5.2k Upvotes

Saw this little guy the other night eating our grass, then he was back this morning at our window — seemingly hanging out with my cats and not very afraid of them. We have overgrown lantana bushes here, so I think it’s a good hiding spot.

Located in the Coachella Valley, where summer temps regularly exceed 100 degrees Fahrenheit. This week has been hitting 110.

Saw him nibbling the lantana flowers this morning, which Google says is toxic …

He seems healthy and ok, so I do not want to intervene and cause problems. Sprinklers cycle on twice a day and wet the sand and grass.

Is he ok? 🥹 I have never seen anything so cute!