How to take care of a (Netherland Dwarf) Rabbit
Housing
I recommend that you keep your rabbit in an all wire cage with a drop pan. They're much easier to clean than solid bottom hutches and guinea pig cages(although those will both work fine if that's all you have available, they just need to be cleaned more often). Netherland Dwarf breeders usually keep their rabbits in 18x24 or 24x24 inch cages. If you get them any larger, it can be harder to get your rabbit out if it doesn't wait at the door for you. If you keep your bunny outside, you should provide it with a wood box with a hole on one or two sides to give it shade in the summer, and help keep in body heat in the winter. Be careful when keeping your bunny in a garage. If you leave your car running in the garage, the rabbit could get carbon monoxide poisoning.Dishes, etc.
Your rabbit will need 2 dishes; one for food, and one for water. Heavy crocks, water bottles and metal dishes work well, as well as the hard plastic black cups you can find at many equipment dealers. One disadvantage to water bottes is that they can freeze up in the winter if your rabbit is kept outside.It also helps to prevent sore hocks if you keep a piece of wood, cardboard, or even an ice cream pail lid in the cage, although care should be taken so that the rabbit doesn't chew on it.Food/Water
The main staple in a rabbit's diet is rabbit pellets. They contain many vitamins, etc. that your bunny needs to stay healthy. Your rabbit should be fed about one ounce of food per pound of rabbit. I generally feed my rabbits 1/3 of a cup through the summer, and 1/3-1/2 cup in the winter. Pregnant Does and ones with kits get free fed, as do most of my juniors. You should also feed timothy or grass hay at least a couple times a week. I usually feed my rabbits pellets in the morning, and give them a little hay at night. Many rabbits also enjoy other treats such as carrots, bananas, romaine lettuce, etc. These should be fed in moderation to prevent health problems. Rabbits should have fresh water available to it at all times. When you get your new bunny, make sure you switch it's pellets from one brand to another graduallyc(over about a week) so their system can get used to the change.Weather
In hot weather, make especially sure that your bunny ALWAYS has water. They drink more when it's hot out. Make sure that your bunny's cage is in the shade. A fan is also a nice addition to your "rabbit barn" in the summer. Just set it up so it s blowing through a corner of your rabbit's cage. I also like to freeze water in pop bottles (cap on) and give it to them to lay next to/on.. Make sure your rabbit has a way to keep warm in the winter (ie a box,a handful of hay, etc).Maintanence
Rabbits toenails need trimming at least every other month. If you are a beginner, have a breeder show you how to trim your rabbits nails at the time of purchase. Rabbits may need to be brushed during a molt to keep them from injesting too much fur. Otherwise, they are a fairly easy animal to maintain.Health
If your rabbit has matter around it's nose/eyes, and on the insides of it's front paws I recommend that you either take it to the vet, or put it down. Respiratory infections are potentially fatal in rabbits, and highly contagious. Questionable rabbits should be quarantined ASAP.Sore hocks are somewhat common in rabbits- Preventative Medicine: put something in the cage for the rabbit to rest on(as noted previously). I've only had to treat it once, and I put the rabbit in a solid bottom cage till it's foot pads (fur) grew back. Then I put it back in a wire cage and made sure that it always had something to sit on. With some things you can simply call the vet or a breeder for advice, or feel free to email me personally!
Good Luck!
-Shannon
