Dwarf Bunnies
by Lindsay in Dwarf Bunnies
Jupiter - Netherland Dwarf Rabbit
Dwarf bunnies are wonderful creatures in a small package. They have all the charm and personality of their larger cousins, but due to their size are easier to manage and care for. My husband and I got our first pair of netherland dwarf bunnies 13 years ago. I remember we chose dwarf bunnies because a pair of full sized rabbits seemed a little daunting. Looking back I am so glad we did because their compact size made them easier to accommodate.
Being a novice bunny parent was very overwhelming at first, always wondering if we were doing the right thing. Did dwarf bunnies require different care to full sized rabbits? Were their temperaments any different? Would they be alright playing outside in cold weather? Some of the dwarf bunny books that were available at the time made them feel like they were show animals rather than pets.
Then take a look at this: "How To Train, Care and Build Trust With Your Pet Rabbit"
Thumper & Flower - Netherland Dwarf Bunnies
Our first two netherland dwarf bunnies lived in the garden, we then got two more which we kept as house rabbits. More recently we now have both boy and girl cross breed dwarf bunnies. None of our rabbits have ever been the same, from their individual characteristics to their likes and dislikes. While you cannot predict what personalities your dwarf bunnies will have, gaining as much understanding as you can about dwarf rabbits will prepare you and give you the confidence to love and care for your little bunnies the best you can.
There are many things you need to consider before you embark on your journey as a dwarf bunny parent. For example, rabbits of all sizes are inquisitive and intelligent creatures, who will not thrive if kept locked in a hutch all day.
Choosing Your Dwarf Bunnies
- Why should bunnies be kept in pairs?
- Which are better, male or female bunnies?
- How can you tell a healthy and happy dwarf bunny?
- Why choose a dwarf bunny over a full size rabbit?
- What are the different dwarf bunny breeds?
Dwarf Bunny Homes
- What is the best bunny environment?
- Where should my dwarf bunnies be kept?
- Why can’t rabbits be kept in a hutch all day?
- How to furnish my bunnies home?
Dwarf Bunny Toys
- Why do dwarf rabbits need toys?
- What makes a good bunny toy?
- What kinds of things do bunnies like to play with?
- Can I make my own bunny toys?
Dwarf Bunny Diet
- What is a healthy diet for my dwarf bunnies?
- Why is diet important for my bunnies teeth?
- What can my dwarf bunnies have as a treat?
- There are many bunny treats available, but are they healthy for my bunny?
Then take a look at this: "How To Train, Care and Build Trust With Your Pet Rabbit"
17 Responses to “Dwarf Bunnies”
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on May 17th, 2009
I just recently rescued a dwarf bunny and she is mostly white with gray ears and feet. She has red eyes, is this common or will she grow out of it?
Thanks
on May 18th, 2009
yes,most white bunnies have red eyes
on May 18th, 2009
Hi Kelly,
Yep, Brittany is right; many bunnies have red eyes and just like our eye colour it won’t change.
Lindsay
on May 28th, 2009
I have a netherland dwarf bunny that is about 11 weeks old not. How do I know if I am feeding him the right amount of his pellet diet? I give him lots of Timothy hay, but he has grown quite a bit since I got him at 8 weeks. Is there a specific amount I should be feeding him since he is still a baby?
on May 28th, 2009
Hi Dana,
While bunnies are still growing (about 6 months old) it is okay to give them plenty of pellets, so they get all the nutrients they need to grow big and strong. Quality pellet mixes usually have feeding guidelines on the package and you can often find ‘Junior’ pellets for young bunnies. As he gets older you will want to decrease the amount of pellets and encourage him to eat lots of hay and vegetables.
When they have regular exercise are not fed high calorie treats bunnies rarely put on too much weight.
Just keep an eye on your bunny to make sure he is eating a well balanced diet and not just stuffing himself with pellets. I cannot stress how important hay is in your bunnies diet not just for their digestion but also their teeth.
Lindsay
on June 18th, 2009
Hi Lindsay,
my dwarf bunnies are very healthy and having lots of fun. I love them to bits!! I would just like to know - should I get a Tetanus shot if my bunny scratched me?
Carika
on June 18th, 2009
Carika,
I honestly don’t know. I haven’t had tetanus shots after being scratched by any of my pets in the past, but I recommend you research the matter further if you are concerned.
I’m glad to hear your bunnies are well.
Lindsay.
on October 5th, 2009
i have a gray male dwarf bunny and he growls at me what does that mean?
on October 6th, 2009
Hi Jordan,
Usually when a bunny growls it is annoyed, and some bunnies are more into growling than others. If you are not doing anything that your bunny should be annoyed about when it growls, then ignore it.
We have a female rabbit, Fern, and she growls at us a lot, most of the time she is just being bossy and trying to intimidate us. For example she will often growl if she is eating some vegetables and we get too close, she’s just letting us know they are hers and she is boss and no harm is done.
Lindsay
on November 14th, 2009
Hi Lindsay,
I am going to be picking up two dwarf bunnies next week that are about 8 weeks old, and have a couple questions about them. I have a large, very well built hutch for them. I was wondering if they could be kept in that for the winter in my heated garage.Then I could put them outside in the hutch in mid-late spring. I have gotten many different answers from many different people. They all say different things. But I would like to be certain, and I am not sure?
on November 16th, 2009
Hi Alea,
I personally see nothing wrong with moving your bunnies location when the weather changes, especially if you live somewhere it gets particularly cold during the winter months. Though there are several things I would suggest taking into account.
1. Does your garage provide good natural daylight? No matter how warm it is, it would be unfair to keep your bunnies in a location where they would not get natural sunlight.
2. Will your bunnies still be about to exercise as freely as they would in the garden? Bunnies enjoy being able to run around, jump and explore everyday.
3. Do you keep a car in the garage, or is there a boiler or anything else that could pollute the air your bunnies breath?
4. Is your garage ventilated? Your bunnies will not appreciate being kept somewhere stuffy, no matter how much it protects them from the weather.
Providing moving your bunnies into the garage has no impact on their daily routine or the attention they will receive, I’m sure they will love being somewhere warm and safe rather than out in the cold.
Good luck with your new bunnies,
Lindsay.
on November 17th, 2009
Hi Linsday
i recently got a dwarf bunny he is 2 years old, are pellets nessacary for him because so far he thinks vegetables are snacks and hay is the usual thing.
thanks
on November 18th, 2009
Hay is the most important part of a bunny’s diet and if he doesn’t want to eat pellets then there is no need to worry. Get the best quality hay you can, give it fresh everyday and make sure he has plenty.
Lindsay
on March 4th, 2010
I have two male netherland dwarf bunnies, they are both roughly two years old. I have to keep them in separate cages because they fight with each other, they are otherwise very mild tempered and great to handle. Sometimes they also try to .. umm .. mate? haha I’m not going to lie the second part kinda grosses me out a bit. How can I get them to stop doing both of these things?
on March 5th, 2010
Hi cassandra,
If you haven’t already done so I would suggest getting your rabbits castrated, which is a routine vets operation. Once this is done their mating and fighting urges should begin to subside within a couple of weeks.
on March 7th, 2010
Dear Lindsay!
I need help with getting my little bunny to change from Woodlands herby harvest hay to timothy, He is such a fussy eater and he wont touch it. I read on some forums that not giving them hay for 3 days and then starting back with timothy will be worth a try, but I’m worried it will be harming him. He gets also pellets (handful a day) and 1 handful of veggies/ herbs. what would you suggest to make the transion? He never really liked hay much in the first place.
Thank you for your time, yours sincerely elke
on March 9th, 2010
Hi Elke,
Any changes to your bunnies diet should be done gradually. Rabbits have very sensitive stomachs and any sudden changes to what they eat can really upset them. And hay is the most important part of you bunnies diet and should always be available.
Mix his new hay and old hay together and give him time to get used to the change. Then slowly decrease the amount of woodland herby harvest over time, but please do not stop giving him hay for any length of time.