Congratulations!  It's a bunny!  Here are some helpful tips to guide you on transitioning your BFF to their new home:

• Rabbits are very delicate and can get stressed easily.   Our rabbits are raised inside our home and are used to a large variety of noises, but it's best to keep them in a calm, quiet environment for the first 24 hours and give them time to adjust. 

• After they have had a day to acclimate, take some time to build trust with your bunny.  Find a small space to sit with them and let them get comfortable being around you - a pet playpen or even a bathroom are good options.  Use slow, calm movements and let them come to you at first. Rabbits are prey animals and are naturally skeptical of new arrivals.  Frequent, positive interactions help them understand you are not a threat. 
• Rabbits inherently do not like their feet dangling.  When you pick up your rabbit be sure their feet are supported and hold them close to your body so they feel secure.  
• Learn how to speak "Bunny".  Bunnies communicate through a variety of non-verbal behaviors.  Here are some common ways your bunny might great you:
  • Nose Nudges - your bunny may bump you with their nose which is a friendly way of saying hi and getting your attention.  
  • Rubbing Against You - they may rub their body or chin against you.  This is their way of marking you with their scent and claiming you as their territory.
  • Circling - is often associated with courtship behavior but it can also be a friendly greeting or an invitation to play.
  • Licking - is a sign of affection and grooming.  Your bunny may lick you like they would another rabbit companion as a way to bond and strengthen your relationship.
  • Zoomies - are bursts of energetic movement where your bunny will run and jump showing their happiness and excitement
  • Binkies - are a joyful leap with a little kick or twist in the air and are often accompanied with zoomies.  These adorable jumps area sign of pure contentment.

 

• For the first 3 days, feed only our pellets before starting the transition to new food.  I will give you a bag of the pellets we use to go home with.  Refer to our 'Feeding' page for information on our pellets and our 'Bunny Care' page for additional details on how to transition their food.  
• Get to know your bunny's bathroom deposits.  Bunnies have two different types of poop.  Fecal pellets, the round dry balls of bunny poop you are probably familiar with, are made in the stomach and small intestine and are the most abundant.  Cecotropes, another kind of poop crucial to your bunny's health, are made in the cecum (part of the large intestine) where beneficial bacteria ferment undigested fiber.  Cecotropes are stinky and wet and resemble a small bunch of grapes.  Bunnies consume cecotropes to absorb essential nutrients and you shouldn't see these often or at all.  If you start seeing too many cecotropes, cut back on pellets and encourage more hay.  Check out the additional resources below.  I am always available if you have questions.

Litter Training
- I have our babies well on their way to being litter box trained before they leave our rabbitry, but new environments can cause setbacks.  To learn more about how to litter box train your bunny, refer to our 'Bunny Care' page for additional information.

​- If you are looking for something cozy to put in your bunny's cage, mine always enjoy a Polar Fleece blanket. I will give you one they are used to having in their cage to give them the comfort of home and help ease transition. Always use caution when giving your bunny soft materials.  Bunnies like to chew and certain fibers will block their GI track.  The fibers in Polar Fleece are so small that if they happen to ingest some, it won't stop up their system.

I provide free breeder support for life!  Don't hesitate to contact me with questions or for advice.  (502) 225-3116