Hi from Plymouth, UK!

[Plymothian_Sophie]

Hi! My name's Sophie, and I bought a rabbit 2 days ago. An 11 week old, mini lop female, named Truffles <3
She's an indoor bunny and we already seem to be bonding, we even had a nap together yesterday. She seems to be getting the hang of using her litter tray, thankfully with little intervention from me!
Just wanted to say hi, and maybe ask for some advice seeing as I'm relatively new to the rabbit world!
I wanted know which brand of rabbot food is best (she is currently on Rabbit Royale as that's what she was eating before I got her) I also want to know how much, how often and what veg etc she should be having at her age?
She is getting her vaccinations in a few weeks, however I would also like some advice on spaying? I would hopefully like to show her in the future but know they dispprove of 'mutilations', I'm not sure of/if there are health benefits to spaying, so advice would be greatly appreciated, many thanks

 

[selbert]

Hi and welcome! I found that when I got my buns, this website was incredibly helpful: http://rabbit.org/faq-diet/

I would say that pellet food is much better for your rabbit, it prevents selective eating which can lead to serious dental disease.

I'm not sure about spaying in terms of show rabbits because I've never even gone to a show, but if you're thinking about getting another rabbit (bonded rabbits are the cutest!) then I would suggest neutering. Neutering also tames behavioural issues people sometimes get around 4 months of age when the hormones kick in (digging, poor litter habits, eating your furniture etc.)

So cute that you've napped together! Sounds like you've bonded well!

:bunnybutt:

 

[Plymothian_Sophie]

Many thanks! That website is very helpful!
I have heard that pellet food is better, but someone I know told me that the food shes on is great because it has added vitamins etc but I don't know as I don't have the packaging it came in, the woman gave me a large food bag full so I could use it whilst I slowly phase in a new food if I needed it.
I'm not planning to introduce another rabbit, however if my circumstances change (more hours at work etc) I probably will so then she'll have company all the time whilst I'm at work, but atm I don't want to get another. I haven't seen any hormonal behaviours in her (maybe apart from digging) but, I may see if she changes etc. I don't know if apart from hormonal changes it will affect her health in any other way if I do/don't.

 

[Nancy McClelland]

She's a cutie. Our vet says that females can be neutered as young as 4 months but prefers to wait til 6 months. Before they really become hormonal little teen turds!! Can't really recommend any foods as I don't know what is available to you. Most of mine get unlimited orchard grass and veggies two times a day. I cut pellets out with our Checkered Giant and she's starting to look more like a bunny and less like a giant blob and no more poopy hind end. There are several posting here with a list of veggies, so, look in the library section or by topic. Also, a vet in your area should be able to give you a list--how we started out more than a decade ago.

 

[Plymothian_Sophie]

Thanks, she is gorgeous
I have asked the vet here about the neutering and she told me probably best to wait until she's 6 months or earlier if she needs it.
I have most rabbit foods available to me as the petshop near Me will ship in foods if they don't have them here. She was previously on Rabbit Royale however I just bought some 'Burgess Excel' as apparently it's a highly recommended brand by vets so I figured it must be half decent!
Thanks for the help guys

 

[jemm]

Hi janner, good to see the West Country represented, I have my 2 on supreme Science selective a little pricey but I think it's pretty good for them

 

[Imbrium]

Burgess Excel, Supreme Science Selective and Supreme Fibrafirst are the top pellet brands available in the UK for house bunnies

(If you want more info about pellet brands, this link is very helpful)

Oh, and make sure to gradually transition from the old brand to the new brand!

 

[Plymothian_Sophie]

I have slowly been weaning her on Burgess Excel for Junior and Dwarf rabbits, she seems to like it more than her old food