How much does a bunny cost, how often to feed, and what food is best?

Rabbits are actually quite a demanding pet, they are relatively cheap at around 30 to 40 dollars. However to take proper care of them you need a large outdoor run and large hutch for night time. Otherwise you can house train them and keep them inside. They need to eat good quality hay substituted with pellets and greens. They are not that well suited to children as they can be skittish and are quite delicate. They require regular vet trips for vaccinations, neutering, parasite treatment, dental care and nail clipping. Rabbits are at risk of a few serious diseases such as gut stasis. They are quite sensitive creatures so need very careful looking after to keep them healthy. A well looked after rabbit could live 8 to 10 years. Having seen many neglected rabbits that were bought for children with the best of intentions I do not recommend them as a child's pet. For a responsible teenager or adult they can make a great pet. But I would suggest considering adopting a rescue bunny rather than buying a new one.

It's correct that fiber is very important for rabbits. This is because they have a digestive system that is made for a high-fiber diet and can get a great deal of nutrients from fiber. For this reason, it's actually best to feed a pelleted diet that is high in fiber like Oxbow. Fruits and vegetables should be considered treats and limited and no more than 10% of their diet. High quality hay (timothy or brome are good choices) should be offered all the time. Grass and dark leafy greens should also be offered regularly. There is a lot of information about how to feed a rabbit out there and it can be difficult to know what's correct and what's not. Below is a link to a some good information that should answer all of your questions. I hope that helps and all is well with your bunnies.

Oxbow has pellets and timothy hay in their product line. The majority of the diet should be timothy hay or similar grasses. Pellets should be limited to no more than a 1/2 cup daily. Alfalfa should not be offered after 7 months of age. Trim nails every 3-4 weeks if necessary. Your veterinarian can show you how initially. Teeth should be checked monthly. A yearly exam should include a dental exam and teeth trimming if indicated. Symptoms of overgrown teeth include decreased appetite, drooling, pawing at the mouth, swelling or discharge.

That's fine, as long as they are kept warm. Does (female rabbits) typically nurse once or twice daily. The kits (bunnies) will begin munching on hay within the next few days. They can eat alfalfa (until 7 months of age), timothy hay or oat grasses and fresh vegetables in addition to a commercial pelleted diet.

Thanks for your question about your new pets! I would recommend finding out what they are being fed now so you don’t switch their food over too quickly. I recommend feeding young rabbits free choice alfalfa hay until 6-9 months old and then transitioning them to a grass based hay, such as Timothy. I also recommend 1-2 tablespoons of pellets per bunny per day until they are full grown. Again, alfalfa based until 6-9 months old and then transition to Timothy pellets. Once full grown, you can give 1 tablespoon per 5 lbs of rabbit. You can also offer greens on a daily basis, but start slowly so they don’t get diarrhea. Leaf lettuce, cilantro, radicchio, and parsley are good options. They don’t require any supplements but the non-fruit based Oxbow treats are a great choice. I don’t recommend feeding fruit to rabbits as it can upset their tummies. For decreasing stress, make sure they have a place to hide and that their environment is quiet for them while they are adjusting. I hope this helps, and thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach!

Yes it is absolutely ok to feed both, pellets and hay. Most likely the pellets will be better quality than the store-bought hay. If you can find a farmer who can sell you a bale or even just an armful of alfalfa hay or timothy hay, that would be best (around $ 10 -12 per 70lb bale....that would last you a very long time, would be better quality and much cheaper than the stuff you can buy at the store.

You can feed your rabbit rabbit pellets, fresh greens, green veggies, carrots and a slice of apple or Tomato here and there for a treat. You can also feed cucumber. Always have good quality hay in his cage anyway, best is to go to a farmer near you or a horse stable and ask if you can buy a slice or small bale of hay (should not cost more than $10, but will last a long time). The commercial hay you can buy in the pet store is often old and dusty and I would not eat it either.....