Are You Rabbit Ready? Essential Rabbit Supplies You Will Need to Purchase to Keep Your Hopper Happy!

 Just as puppies and kittens need care, so do pet rabbits! No matter what type of pet you decide to add to your family, it is important that you are ready to make a commitment. Pets are not disposable! They are living animals that need attention, shelter, medical care, and of course, lots of love! Just as your dog may need a dog training collar and your cat a litter box, you will need to provide the appropriate supplies for your rabbit as well. That is if you want your bunny to be healthy and happy! So what rabbit essentials will you need to purchase? I'm glad you asked! Below is a list of things you will need to buy for your bunny.

Litter Box: Just as cats use litter boxes, so do rabbits! All good house rabbits (that have been trained properly) know how to use a litter box, and yours should be no exception! Buy a litter box that is small enough to fit in your rabbit's cage but large enough for your bunny to fit into comfortably. You can purchase a kitten litter box at most pet supply stores. Kitten litter boxes are small, the perfect size for   your bunny! You can also find rabbit litter boxes in most rabbit catalogs (yes, they do exist) as well as on-line. It is very important that the litter box you purchase is deep enough to contain your rabbit's urine. When rabbits urinate, their urine sprays out horizontally behind them, not downward like a dog or cat. If the litter box you purchase isn't deep enough the urine will spray out of the box and you will have a mess to clean up. Not good for you or your rabbit.

Litter: Obviously, if you purchase a litter box for your rabbit, you will also need litter! Do NOT fill your rabbit's litter box with a clay based litter as the dust that this type of litter produces can irritate your bunny's respiratory tract. Also, if your bunny is hungry and decides to eat some of the clay based litter it can block his intestinal tract which can be fatal. Litter that is made of pellets is your best bet. Pelleted bedding is more absorbent than clay and won't harm your rabbit should he eat some for lunch. You can find pellet litter that is made of aspen, paper, cellulose and compressed sawdust.

Food Bowl and Water Bottle: Just as a dog needs a water and food bowl, so does your rabbit! When it comes to food bowls, your best bet is to purchase a ceramic, crock- style bowl. Rabbits are famous for tipping over their food bowls. Most ceramic bowls are tip-proof due to their heavy weight. You also want to make sure that the bowl you purchase isn't too deep, especially if you own a baby bunny or a dwarf breed. It is very important that your rabbit is able to reach his food or he will go hungry! When it comes to water, buy a water bottle that you hang on the side of your rabbit's cage (gravity water bottle). Hamsters, gerbils and guinea pigs also use these types of water bottles. Why are water bottles better than regular bowls? Well, as previously mentioned, rabbits are notorious bowl tippers. Not only will they tip over their food bowls, they will tip over their water bowls as well. By using a hanging water bottle you will avoid having to clean up water spills.

Nest Box: All rabbits love to nest, therefore, they would greatly appreciate a nest box in which to huddle and seek comfort. You can purchase a nest box at most pet supply stores or on-line. Most nest boxes fit comfortably in the corner of the rabbit's cage. It is important to note that if you purchase a nesting box that is made of wood, your rabbit will eventually gnaw it to pieces. As for bedding, it is essential if you want your bunny to be comfortable. Putting some type of bedding into your rabbit's nesting box will make it cozy and warm for sleeping. Avoid cedar or pine bedding as they can cause possible bunny health problems. Some rabbit's appreciate an old t-shirt or towel in their cage as both items make for comfortable and cozy bedding.

Hayrack: It is very important that you always supply your rabbit with hay to eat as roughage is a necessary part of your rabbit's diet. Because rabbits tend to be messy, it would be wise to purchase a hayrack. A hayrack hangs on the side of your rabbit's cage and keeps the hay in place as your rabbit munches on it. Metal hayracks can be purchased on-line (for the best prices) or at most pet supply stores.

Toys: Yes, rabbits play with toys! If you have a few minutes to spare, please read the HUB Page: Make your bunny happy! Five things to do with and for your pet rabbit. It is a fact that rabbits LOVE to play! Rabbits enjoy most cat toys…especially toy balls and bells. If you don't want to spend the money, simply place an empty toilet paper tube in your rabbit's cage and let the fun begin! Just remember, if you place toys in your rabbit's cage that are made of wood or cardboard…they will eventually be chewed and destroyed!

Chew Blocks: Did you know that a rabbit's teeth are constantly growing!? Because of this, rabbits have a constant urge to gnaw. Be sure to purchase chew blocks for your bunny so he can satisfy his chewing urges and keep his pearly whites healthy!

So there you have it, essential rabbit supplies that you should purchase for your pet bunny. It would be wise to have your rabbit's cage and supplies all set up BEFORE you bring your new friend home. That way he will have a safe and comfortable place to relax as he adjusts to his new environment. Rabbits make wonderful pets! As long as you provide all off the essential supplies and of course, a lot of attention and love, your rabbit will be happy and best of all, healthy!