Everything your new Birchbark bunny needs to thrive
We send every kit home with detailed care information. This page is your reference guide — bookmark it and come back to it anytime.
Timothy hay should make up 80% of your rabbit's diet and be available at all times. Hay keeps the digestive system moving and prevents GI stasis — the most common and serious rabbit health issue. Young rabbits under 6 months can have alfalfa hay for its higher protein and calcium.
High quality pellets (16–18% protein for young rabbits, 14–15% for adults) in measured amounts. Approximately ¼ cup per 5 lbs of body weight daily for adults. Unlimited for rabbits under 6 months.
Safe options: romaine lettuce, cilantro, parsley, dandelion greens, fresh herbs. Introduce slowly. Avoid: iceberg lettuce, cabbage in large amounts, anything from the onion family.
⚠️ Never feed: chocolate, avocado, rhubarb, onions, garlic, fruit seeds, or anything with artificial sweeteners.
Your rabbit needs enough space to take 3 full hops and stand up on their hind legs without touching the ceiling. For a Holland Lop, think minimum 4 feet × 2 feet floor space. Bigger is always better.
Rabbits need at least 3–4 hours of free roam time daily outside their enclosure. Rabbit-proof the area by covering electrical cords and blocking off unsafe spaces. Lops love to explore and will seek out trouble given the opportunity.
Rabbits are sensitive to heat. Keep them below 75°F. They tolerate cold better than heat — but drafts should still be avoided. Ideal temperature is 60–70°F.
Rabbits are naturally clean animals and can be litter trained. Place a litter box in the corner they naturally choose and fill with paper-based litter (never cedar or pine — the oils are toxic). Add hay on top — rabbits like to eat while they do their business.
Before bringing your rabbit home, find a veterinarian who sees small animals and specifically rabbits. Not all vets are experienced with rabbits. The House Rabbit Society has a vet directory at rabbit.org.
GI stasis is a life-threatening slowdown of the digestive system. Signs: not eating, not producing droppings, hunched posture, teeth grinding. This is an emergency. Get to a vet immediately — do not wait to see if they improve.
Unspayed female rabbits have an extremely high rate of uterine cancer — up to 80% by age 5. We strongly recommend spaying does not used for breeding. Neutering bucks reduces territorial behavior and makes litter training easier.
Nails need trimming every 4–6 weeks. Your vet can do this or you can learn to do it at home with small animal nail clippers. Lop nails grow fast and long nails can catch and cause injury.
Always support the hindquarters when picking up a rabbit. A rabbit that kicks in panic can break their own spine. Scoop one hand under the hindquarters and hold them against your body securely. Never hold a rabbit over a hard floor.
We handle kits daily from the time they are old enough — typically from week 2–3. Your rabbit has been held by multiple people including children and is comfortable with human contact. Still give them a few days to adjust to their new home before heavy handling.
Binkying (jumping and twisting mid-air) = pure joy. Flopped on their side = completely relaxed and happy. Thumping = alarm or annoyance. Tooth grinding (not purring) = pain. Purring/tooth chattering softly = contentment while being petted.
Rabbits are prey animals and can be easily stressed. Teach children to sit on the floor and let the rabbit come to them rather than chasing. Our kits are well socialized with children but still need calm, gentle handling.
Let your new rabbit explore their enclosure quietly. Resist the urge to handle them constantly — they need time to recognize their new space as safe. Provide hay, water and their regular pellets immediately. Keep the environment calm and low traffic for the first few days.
We send kits home with a small amount of their current hay and pellets so you can transition them gradually. Sudden food changes can cause digestive upset.
Birchbark offers lifetime support for every rabbit we place. If you have questions six months or six years after bringing your rabbit home — reach out. We genuinely want to know how they are doing.
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