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!
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.
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 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 Food:
- 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.
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.
Bonding With Your Bunny
We love on our buns from day one to ensure that they will have as smooth of a transition as possible to being a loving companion and part of your family! Bunnies are amazingly sweet and can be very affectionate once they trust and form a bond with you. It can take a few weeks for your bunny to fully adjusted to their new home, but can be longer or shorter depending on the individual bunny. It is important to be patient while your bunny is getting used to their new surroundings and is warming up to you. Always show your bunny unconditional love and you will be on the way to forming a lifelong bond. It can take time to bond with your bun, but in the end, it is 100% worth it!
- 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.
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
- 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.
- 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.
Holland Lops typically live 7–10 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!