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hi everyone! i just go two rabbits yesterday! it makes me soooo happy! but theres one liiiiittle tiny problem-- i have never owned a rabbit-- let alone any kind of rodent-- before. i have done some reserch about how to care for them, what they can and can not eat and some other things. i was wondering if anyone could give me any hints, tips, or need-to-know info. thank u!

and i will soon have up pix and maybe a video!

By looking at those pictures am I correct to assume they've got a caged bottom to stand on? I would not have that. Those gaps could get a leg stuck and then possibly broken.

So basics I would suggest a LARGE cage if they are together, you should also have a run to go with it. They need straw to sleep in, soething to cover the bottom of the cage and hay as the basics, along of course with access to constant water and some food.

While the new cage is being built, I would suggest putting a nice sized piece of corrugated cardboard (the nice thick cardboard) for them to rest on. Wire hurts their feeties.

Their main diet should be pellets, but supplement that with a little bit of fresh plant life each day like carrot, celery, fresh pineapple (not canned!), broccoli, grass, alfalfa, apple, etc. Don't give them cereal though. It isn't that good for them I have read.

T___T Those poor things. When I had rabbits and a guinea pig (all living together in a great big outdoor pen), I would clean out and refill both of the water bottles every day. Even if they didn't drink it all the day before. Stale water is gross.

Sometimes my girl bunnies bickered with each other. Other times they humped each other. XD I had two dogs at the time too and they were terrfied of the rabbits... and one of the dogs was a Belgian Shepard X wolf.

Try the same thing I am doing with my rats. When you bring them a fresh treat, call up one of them first by name and hold the treat at the door so she has to come to you. Hold the food with your non-dominant hand and don't let go straight away. While she has a grip on it, reach in with your other hand and gently rub behind her ears along her spine and tell her what a good bunny she is. Then do the same with the other. When they get used to you, then try picking one up. Use both hands! Hold her to your chest with her head under your chin and pet her and tell her what a good girl she is. Don't hold them for too long at first. just slowly get them used to you.

I had rabbits for almost 15 years on that type of cage bottom, so long as they have something to stand on and get off of the wire when they want they're fine.

As for getting them used to being handled, you just have to do it. Support under the ribs and try to scoop their butts up, it gives solid support. If the rabbit is flailing when you're putting her back in the cage, its because she senses her cage and knows she's going back to the safety. If you're just putting her on the floor or something, she's not feeling supported enough.

They like plain uncooked oatmeal, tomato slices, watermelon, apples slices, some like potatoes. Remember though that treats should be just that. Treats, only every once in a while, not on a regular basis.

As for the activity levels and water intake, rabbits differ on that like people do, they'll drink when they're in need of the water. Do check to make sure that the bottle nozzles aren't stuck.