Welcome to the wonderful world of bunnies!! We believe our little buns are one of the sweetest, most enjoyable pets you can bring into your home. Below are some suggestions to consider as you grow to know your new friend. This guide is designed to help you feel confident in caring for your bunny and building a lasting bond!
Settling In
- The first 2–4 weeks are a transitional period. Your bunny may explore, play, cuddle, or retreat to their hideaway.
- Introduce new sounds, pets, and activities gradually and in a way that your bunny feels completely safe.
Tip: Patience is key. Some bunnies adjust quickly, others can take several weeks—but the results are worth it!
Housing
A safe, comfortable environment is essential for your bunny’s health and happiness.
- Cage or pen: Minimum 4–6 sq. ft. per bunny, but larger is better.
- Litter box: A stainless steel box with pine pellet litter works best. Avoid clumping clay litter.
- Hideaway: Provide a small covered area where your bunny can retreat to feel safe.
- Temperature: Ideal range is 60–75°F. Avoid extreme heat, as bunnies can overheat easily.
- Flooring: Soft bedding, fleece liners, or hay. Avoid cedar or pine shavings.
- Cleaning: Spot-clean daily; deep-clean weekly.
Feeding Your Bunny
A healthy diet is the foundation of a long, happy life for your bunny.
Daily Diet
- Hay: Timothy hay or Orchard Grass should be available at all times. Hay supports digestion and keeps teeth healthy.
- Pellets: We feed Tucker Milling Non-GMO rabbit pellets. Your bunny should have pellets available in a bowl daily; we’re not picky about the amount; they’ll eat what they need.
- Water: Fresh, clean water every day is essential. You can add Oasis Vita drops a couple of times per week to supplement nutrition.
Minerals
- A mineral salt spool hung in the bunny’s living space provides important trace minerals. Periodically adding Apple Cider Vinegar to your bunnies water is also very beneficial to their health.
Treats
- Treats are fun but should be limited, especially for bunnies under six months. Safe options include:
- From the yard: dandelion greens and flowers, clover, plantain, tender fresh grass
- From the store: freeze-dried fruits, dried herbs, flower blends, apple sticks, willow chews, and hay-based treats
- From the kitchen: lettuces (no iceberg!), broccoli, celery, cauliflower, fresh parsley, basil, dill, mint, carrot tops, or small amounts of fruit (we prefer organic)
- Introduce new foods gradually, one at a time, and monitor your bunny’s droppings to ensure they tolerate it well.
- Never feed iceberg lettuce, corn, avocado, rhubarb, seeds or potatoes—they can be dangerous or fatal.
Transitioning to New Rabbit Pellets:
- Week 1: 3/4 current food, 1/4 new food
- Week 2: 2/4 current food, 2/4 new food
- Week 3: 1/4 current food, 3/4 new food
- Week 4: 100% new food
- Always provide plenty of hay during the transition.
Tip: It is normal for your bunny to have a soft, sometimes sticky stool in the morning. This is called cecotropes and will sometimes be eaten by your bunny to provide needed probiotics and other nutrients.
During times of environment change or food transition, your bunny may have soft stool that bunches together instead of individual poop pellets. This is a normal reaction to stress and usually self corrects within a few days.
Bonding With Your Bunny
From day one, we pour love into our bunnies so they’re ready to become cherished companions in their new families. Rabbits are incredibly sweet and affectionate once they feel safe, but each one has a unique personality and may take a couple weeks to settle in. Patience, gentleness, and unconditional love are the keys to building a lifelong bond.
To help your bunny adjust, provide cozy hides like hidey houses or tunnels and place an item with your scent in their space so they learn to associate you with comfort. Remember, bunnies feel safest on the ground. Spend time sitting quietly at their level—reading, working, or simply being near—so they can approach you at their own pace.
Once they’re more comfortable, try hand-feeding pellets or healthy treats to create positive connections. Over time, your bunny will learn to trust you, and you’ll discover how much of a joy they can be!
- Your bunny will enjoy daily floor time to hop, explore, and play.
- Provide safe toys like tunnels, cardboard boxes, chew toys, and puzzle feeders for mental stimulation.
- Gentle interaction, hand-feeding treats, and playtime help build trust and strengthen your bond.
- Bunnies feel safest close to the ground—support all four paws when holding them and keep them against your chest, or sit on the floor to be more approachable.
- They enjoy learning tricks and other forms of enrichment, which keeps them happy and confident.
Bonding Companion Bunnies
Bunnies can thrive as singles or in pairs, but a bonded companion can bring extra comfort and joy—especially when you’re away. Bonding is easiest when both bunnies are pre-pubescent in age. It you know you would like multiple bunnies, it's a great option to get siblings from the same litter.
Bonding takes patience, as some bunnies connect instantly while others need time, neutral territory, and careful introductions. Spaying/neutering is highly recommended when bonding to reduce hormones and prevent fussing.
With patience and care, bonded bunnies can become lifelong companions who eat, play, and groom together. The only thing better than a bunny...is more than one bunny!
Bonding Steps to Consider
- Side-by-Side Enclosures
When rabbits first see and smell each other, some restlessness is normal and usually fades in short order. Place them in side-by-side enclosures close enough to smell but not touch unsupervised, and swap litter boxes, blankets, or toys to share scents.
A helpful bonding technique is “coerced closeness”: hold both rabbits on your lap, facing outward, and gently pet them to help them adjust to each other’s touch and scent.
2. Introduction
Bonding should always start in a neutral space where neither rabbit has been before (such as a bathroom, bathtub, or garage). Supervise all sessions closely and be prepared with gloves or water spray in case of fussing. If it's love at first sight, you can move them into their shared space. If there’s chasing, mounting, or hesitancy, monitor carefully and separate when unsupervised. Signs of aggression may require slower bonding to encourage comfort with each other. Work daily for at least 15 minutes, adjusting the pace to their personalities and health needs.
3. Body Language
Dominance is natural in bonding rabbits and may include mounting, which is normal as long as both tolerate it. Subordinate rabbits often show acceptance by licking the dominant rabbit. Positive signs: sitting or lying together, grooming, seeking interaction, or relaxed behavior. Negative signs: chasing, circling, boxing, fighting, nipping, or growling.
4. Successful Bonding
Keep bonded rabbits together to maintain their relationship. Initially, supervise them in their shared space until they spend 1–2 hours together without issues. Once positive behaviors are consistent, they can safely be left alone together. A bonded companion can make your rabbit happier, more social, and still affectionate toward you.
Grooming
Holland Lops are relatively low-maintenance, but grooming helps keep them healthy and comfortable.
- Nail trimming: Trim nails as needed. Gently press the paw into a loosely woven blanket to expose the nail while holding back the fur. Avoid cutting the quick.
- Molting: Most bunnies molt once per year. Their coat may look messy during this time but will return to normal in a few weeks.
- Cleaning: Occasionally check your bunny’s rear area. Use a brush or damp cloth to clean if needed. Never bathe your bunny. Water immersion can be life-threatening.
Behavior
- Thumping: Can be a warning signal or possible sign of fear, but also means I see you bringing treats – hurry up!
- Binkying: Happy jumps indicate joy and comfort.
- Nudging/Licking: Shows affection and trust.
- Chewing: Somewhat normal behavior—provide safe chew items to protect household items. If a bunny chews in a problematic way, they are usually bored and want more interaction.
Health & Vet Care
- Vet check-ups: Some owners prefer annual visits, monitoring teeth, digestion, and overall health but not required. We leave the choice to vaccinate up to each individual owner.
- Signs of illness: Watch for lethargy, diarrhea, sneezing, eye/nose discharge, or loss of appetite. Seek veterinary care immediately if these were to appear.
- Teeth: Hay and chew toys help to prevent overgrown teeth.
- Spay/neuter: Spaying or neutering your bunny is a personal decision and not required. Many owners choose to do so because it can help produce calmer, gentler, and more social bunnies.
Spay or Neuter
Rabbits are wonderful companions, cherished for their playful spirits and gentle nature. Choosing to spay or neuter your bunny is a caring decision that supports their long-term health and well-being. While these surgeries are common, paying close attention to the recovery period is important to help your furry friend transition comfortably and safely.
Spaying or neutering your bunny offers many benefits: a longer, healthier life, reduced cancer risk (especially for females), improved litter box habits, and fewer hormone-driven behaviors like marking, digging, or nipping. It’s also essential for bonding rabbits. Always use an experienced rabbit-savvy vet, as it's important the procedure is done properly. The age at which a bunny can be treated depends on the preference of the vet but it usually between 14-20 weeks of age.
After surgery, your bunny will need a calm, cozy space to heal. Make sure the area is quiet, draft-free, and away from other pets. Provide a soft, enclosed spot with comfortable bedding so your rabbit can rest peacefully and undisturbed.
During the first few days of recovery, closely monitor your bunny for any signs of discomfort, such as decreased activity, loss of appetite, or unusual behavior. Give any prescribed medications exactly as directed by your veterinarian, and follow all post-surgery care instructions carefully to support a smooth and safe healing process. Feed your bunny plenty of hay to keep bowels working regularly.
While your bunny needs plenty of rest, brief, gentle activity can help prevent stiffness. Offer short, supervised play sessions in a safe, familiar area, taking care to avoid anything that might stress the healing incision. Make sure the space is free of hazards so your rabbit can move safely.
Recovery can be a tender time for both you and your bunny. Shower your rabbit with love, gentle pets, and soothing words to help them feel safe and comforted. Patience is essential as your furry friend adjusts after surgery. Spaying or neutering is a caring choice that supports their long-term health and happiness. By understanding the recovery process and providing attentive care, you can help your rabbit heal smoothly and enjoy a healthy, joyful life by your side.
Health & Observation
Bunnies are prey animals and often hide pain, so it’s crucial to monitor their behavior, eating, and droppings closely. Signs like lethargy, changes in appetite, or abnormal stools require prompt attention from a rabbit-savvy vet.
Maintaining a high-fiber diet with unlimited hay, fresh water, enrichment, and exercise supports digestive health and helps prevent GI stasis, which can be life-threatening. Keep basic first-aid supplies on hand—such as Oxbow Critical Care, syringes, and heat pads—to respond quickly in emergencies.
Lifespan
Holland Lops can live 8–10 years with proper care. With love, attention, and patience, your bunny will become a treasured member of your family for many happy years.
We hope your bunny brings as much joy to your home as they have to ours!