BASIC RABBIT CARE
Feeding
You should feed your rabbit as much fresh rabbit pellets as it wants until it reaches about 3 months old. After that, the standard rule is 1 ounce of feed per pound of the rabbit. (Most Hollands do well on a ½-measured cup of rabbit pellets per day.) That should keep them at a happy and healthy maintained weight. Of course, an extra busy or nursing rabbit will require more food. If you let your rabbit get too fat, it can cause serious health problems and even death. Rabbits require low protein, high fiber. You should feed your pet rabbit pellets that are between 15 and 16 percent protein, and at least 20 or 21 percent fiber (18 percent protein is suitable for breeding and raising babies). Make sure the rabbit pellets you feed are hard, green, and dust free. If you get a new rabbit, make sure you get "change-over feed" from the previous owner was feeding it. Any changes in feed should be done over about a week's time. This also applies if you are changing the brand of feed you are currently feeding, to something different. Don't let uneaten pellets stack up - make sure you give just enough for them to finish off, and toss out any that get moist or moldy. This also helps you know when a rabbit isn't feeling well and has stopped eating.
It is also highly recommended that you feed your Holland as much hay (timothy grass is good) as it wants to eat, at least 3 times a week. Make sure the hay you feed is fresh, mold free, dust free, and preferably green.
And of course, make sure your rabbit has as much fresh, clean water as it wants at all times. Water cans work well for adult rabbits, but bottles are necessary when babies are small so they will not drown. Water containers will have to be periodically cleaned with bleach water to keep algae from growing.
Do not…. feed your rabbit lettuce. The water content in it is too high. This also includes fresh grass. It is recommended that you do not feed your rabbit any vegetables until it reaches at least 6 months of age.
Some safe things to feed your Holland when it becomes of age are: raisins, carrots, apples, oranges, spinach, collard greens (most dark leafy greens) and sweet potatoes in small amounts. Dandelion greens and blackberry leaves are a safe treats that rabbits love, and can be used with babies as well (in small quantities). Dried papaya is especially good for shedding or furry breeds. Some people use unsweetened cheerios or shredded wheat as high fiber treats.
Housing
Holland Lops and other small breeds do well in a 18"x 24", or a 24" x 24" cage. If your rabbit is housed outdoors, make sure it has a leakproof roof on it, and it has shelter from wind and blowing rain. Hanging cages are one way to maintain a clean, healthy rabbitry. Either let the droppings fall to the ground and clean it up occasionally, or use a slanted manure pan (corrugated metal works) to funnel the droppings to a pile or removable container (such as a wheelbarrow). Some people have trained their rabbits to use a litter pan in the corner of their cage, which contains absorbent pellets and can be easily removed and dumped. Rabbit cages can also be bought with slide-out trays underneath. These require regular cleaning, but can be useful in small spaces (the cages are usually stackable) or indoors.
If you are thinking of breeding your Holland, you will need cages that have "baby wire" along the sides to keep the babies from crawling out. Also the expecting doe will need a nesting box filled with hay (sawdust at the bottom is good) given a couple days before she is due. She will make a hole in the hay and line it with her own fur to keep the newborn bunnies warm. The babies will live in the nest box until they are fully furred and able to hop around the cage (2-3 weeks old). After that it is best to remove it and clean it out, since they will likely use it for a litterbox.
Rabbits have a fur coat, so cold is not a concern. In case of extreme cold weather, a box may be added for your rabbit to sit in. Newborn rabbits might have to be protected by bringing their nesting box inside during the night.
Heat can be very deadly for a rabbit, so make sure the cage is in a shady spot with good airflow. Also make sure that the sun never hits inside the cage in the afternoon. When it is really hot in the summer, you can give your Holland something to lie against (or on) to stay cool. You can give a frozen 2-liter bottle of water or a wet towel or wet stepping-stone. Babies in the next box can be brought inside during hot afternoons to help keep them cool.
Care & Grooming
Hollands do not always require brushing, but they do like it and it is very healthy for their skin and hair. Rabbits molt usually twice a year with the change of seasons. They are getting rid of their old coat and putting on a new one. If your Holland is molting, it is helpful to brush it to help remove the hair before they ingest it (which can cause a deadly fur ball).
Baby rabbits (especially in more furry breeds) need to be checked for interned eyelashes/sticky eyes between 2-3 weeks old. If the fur around the eye is matting, simple wet the area with water and gently pull apart the fur until the eye is visible. Wash off any sticky substance and brush fur away from eye. Check several times a day and if sticking continues clip back long fur around eye. Usually a rabbit will outgrow this problem in a few days if it is taken care of properly.
A similar trouble happens with young rabbits (and older ones in more furry breeds) of matting on their bottoms, due to wet dropping sticking to their fur. Check baby rabbits as soon as they begin hopping around (2-3 weeks) and make sure that any sticky build up is washed off with warm water. Sometimes clipping of the fur is necessary to remove dried mats (use small sharp scissors), but be very careful not to cut too close to the skin. Watch out for any signs of diarrhea (often caused by stress or improper food) which can quickly cause death in a young rabbit. You will need to clip their toenails about every other month, or as they appear needing it.
You should also check your rabbit's ears for earmites and wax buildup. If you notice any earmites, you can purchase some earmite medicine drops to put in them. If wax buildup is all that you see, you can clean the ear out with a q-tip and some mineral oil.
