Instructions
Set up the rabbit's living space prior to bringing it home. To minimize stress, make sure that the cage or hutch is properly configured with soft bedding, access to food and water, hay and fresh vegetables.
Put the rabbit away in its new cage and leave it alone for at least two to three hours to become accustomed to its new environment. Small animals can become stressed easily, and your new rabbit will need some time to get comfortable in its cage before you handle it for the first time.
Provide fresh food and water daily. For a mini rex rabbit, 1/2 cup of dry pellets is generally ideal. Provide fresh vegetables daily, and experiment with different vegetables to see which your rabbit prefers. Carrots, romaine lettuce, broccoli, cauliflower and bok choy are popular choices. Rabbits should always have access to fresh water, preferably through a bottle to avoid food or bedding contamination.
Provide fresh hay daily, removing old hay completely each day. There are different types of hay, but rabbits generally prefer a mixture of timothy grass, alfalfa and orchard grass. Use a hay dispenser to keep the hay off the cage floor to avoid contamination.
Change any bedding or litter in the cage consistently. The frequency required will depend on how many rabbits live in the cage, the size of the cage and whether or not the rabbits are eliminating in a single spot. Rabbits can be litter trained, which will reduce the need for changing out all the bedding in the cage.
Trim your rabbit's nails at least once monthly or as necessary. Long nails can pose threats in cages with wire bottoms or sides, as small feet can become caught easily. Rabbits shed approximately twice annually, and brushing may be required to remove loose hair for the rabbit's comfort.
Provide out-of-cage exercise daily. Litter-trained rabbits can roam the house with supervision, or you can let the rabbit outside for play on the patio or in the grass. Always provide supervision, or use a small animal pen to contain the rabbit in a safe place.
How to Care for a Mini Rex Rabbit
The mini rex is a breed of rabbit with an average lifespan of 10 years and an average weight of three to five pounds, depending on gender. The mini rex breed is available in a number of colors including black, blue, chinchilla gray, chocolate, lilac, opal, seal, tortoise and and white, and is a popular pet due to its small size and docile nature. Caring for a rabbit entails providing proper housing, nutrition, grooming, health care and companionship.