by Gareth Wild

Created on: September 21, 2011

When you purchase a pet rabbit you will need various supplies before you take delivery of the new pet.

Firstly a hutch will need to be acquired the breed of the rabbit will dictate the size of hutch that will be needed. Also you need a place to locate its residence whether that be indoors or outside. Outside hutches are more sturdy and will be waterproof. An indoor hutch is usually lightweight and may be a cage rather than a wooden hutch. A dwarf rabbit will require a small hutch and a flemish giant a rather large hutch. The hutch ideally should have a separate sleeping area and this is where the hay is best provided. The main area of the hutch will be for feeding and exercise. An additional expense can be a run to attach to the hutch for exercise and possible grazing if there is an area of grass available. But this isn't essential when the rabbit is first purchased.

The hutch will need furnishing with both bedding and environmental enrichment. The usual bedding choice is wood shavings as they are both absorbent and help to keep the animal warm. As a supplement to this hay should also be provided as this acts as both a food and a bedding material, The rabbit can exhibit its natural nesting ability in this. Newspaper can be used as a bedding medium but it becomes soiled quickly and gets soaked with urine meaning daily changes are required. Rabbit urine is highly acidic and prolonged contact with the caging will cause the hutch to rot quickly. So the preferred medium will be sawdust or shavings. This allows just the soiled area to be cleaned daily reducing the daily maintenance in both time and money.

The animal will require food and water and also the bowls and drinking bottles to provide it in. The food can be purchased as pellets and also a supplement of fresh fruit and vegetables. Providing a bowl for this both keeps it off the floor and keeps it together in one place. The food will also stay fresher for longer this way. Hoppers can also be used to provide pelleted food and these are usually attached to the hutch door. The water can be provided in a bottle or a bowl. The bowl has the disadvantage of it becoming spilled or soiled. The bottle is the preferred choice as it presents better to the rabbit and stays fresher longer. Also at a quick glance it can seen how much remains. But the water needs to be changed on a daily basis to prevent it becoming stale.

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