Never give your New Zealand rabbit corn, or other grains or seeds. Just stick to hay. Timothy hay is a great choice as primary feed for your New Zealand rabbit.
For a bigger rabbit or for a rabbit that is not gaining weight properly, you may need to offer more than ¼ cup per day. Check with your veterinarian for a recommendation based on your rabbit’s size and other needs. [4] X Research source
basil cilantro collard greens parsley kale mustard greens turnip greens
apple slices carrot slices hulled sunflower seeds
Make sure that you keep your rabbit’s water bottle full of fresh clean water at all times. [7] X Research source If you decide to use a water bowl, use a ceramic bowl and check it often.
broccoli brussel sprouts spinach cabbage cauliflower
Do not get a wire bottom cage because these types of cages can hurt your rabbit’s feet. Choose a cage that has a solid metal bottom instead. Puppy playpens also work well as rabbit enclosures. A puppy playpen will give your New Zealand rabbit lots of space to hop around. You may also consider getting a special rabbit condo enclosure. [10] X Research source [11] X Research source These types of enclosures have lots of hiding places and tunnels for rabbits to explore and enjoy.
A cardboard box provides a nice hiding spot for your New Zealand rabbit and your rabbit can also move the box around and chew on it.
If your New Zealand rabbit is not using her litter box, then try moving the litter box to the corner that she is using as a toilet spot. Try placing a few litter boxes around your house so that your rabbit can use them as needed. Never use cedar or pine shavings in your rabbit’s litter box. These materials may cause your rabbit to develop respiratory and liver problems.
Even if predators cannot gain access to your rabbit in her cage, she may have a heart attack from fear. A pet rabbit kept outside may develop antisocial behavior issues, such as aggression, so keeping a rabbit outside will make it into a poor pet.
Keep your rabbit indoors when you let her out to exercise. You may even want to keep her confined to one room. For example, you could keep her in your bedroom or put up a couple of baby gates to make sure she stays in a specific area of your house.
Try hiding electrical cords with some hard plastic tubing or spiral wrap. Another option is to just keep all of the cords off of the ground so that your rabbit cannot reach them. [15] X Research source
Keep in mind that your New Zealand rabbit might also try to chew on other things such as a rug, some loose carpeting, or a bit of loose wallpaper. [16] X Research source If you catch your rabbit chewing on something that he should not be chewing on, don’t get mad or punish him. Just pick him up gently, move him somewhere else and provide him with a cardboard box or a piece of a raw carrot to distract him from the other object.
Try giving your New Zealand rabbit some alfalfa cubes, untreated pine boards, cotton towels, cardboard boxes, or apple branches. [18] X Research source
not hopping or not using back legs excess fur loss not defecating or having watery diarrhea dark red urine or no urine lethargy (extra tired, not moving or reacting normally) runny eyes and nose drooling fever of 105 °F (40. 6 °C) or more
If your rabbits are not spayed and neutered, then make sure that you keep them separated.
Do not bathe your New Zealand rabbit. Rabbits can become hypothermic if they get wet and they do not enjoy the water either.
