​Buying hay can feel complicated at times especially with a picky eater. 1st cut, 2nd cut, 3rd cut…. What’s the difference? Here we will discuss this!

First cut hay is just as it sounds! It is the first cut of the season out of the field before it blooms. This hay usually has thinner stems but it's more stemy than leafy. It's higher in fiber content and lower in protein and fat content. The color will be lighter with more yellow and brown parts. This is a good quality hay for rabbits. If you have a rabbit that is overweight or is prone to getting G.I stasis, than this is the hay for them.

Click on the link to order 1st cut timothy hay->> 1st cut hay

Second cut hay is a good hay for healthy adult rabbits. It usually has more leaves on the stems which is more attractive to your rabbit. This hay is greener than 1st cut and not as stemy. The protein and fat content is a little higher than 1st cut and the fiber level is a bit lower.

Click on the link to order 2nd cut timothy hay->> 2nd cut hay

Third cut is a very soft and heavy leafy hay. It should be a darker green than 1st and 2nd cut. It's higher in protein and fat content and lowest in fiber content. This hay should be given as a treat or you can mix it sparingly with 1st or 2nd cut hay if your rabbit is a picky hay eater. If you have a rabbit that is underweight, this is an ideal hay to give them as it's higher in protein and fat which should help weight gain. Be watchful of your buns poos. If you notice softer poos, besides their cecotropes, than cut back on this hay.

Click on the link to order 3rd cut timothy hay->> 3rd cut hay

Sometimes it's best to let your rabbit sample each kind of hay and see what they like best. Small Pet Select has a sampler box that has 1st, 2nd, 3rd cut timothy hay, and also orchard grass. 

Click on the link to order your sampler box->> Sampler Box

​​It's very important that your rabbits get the right amount of nutrients every day. Feeding your rabbit incorrectly can lead to obesity, dental issues, and possibly even death. Rabbits are more sensitive animals than a cat or dog so making sure they have the correct diet is vital to their well being.

Rabbits need a high fiber diet. Even though they can eat fruits, they should be given in small quantities. More as treats than a full meal. If you notice their stool getting soft or stuck to their bottoms, stop giving fruit and only offer them high fiber foods. Once they begin having normal stool again, you can add a smaller amount of fruits back to their diet. Remember fruits are high in sugar which is why they should be given in small quantities. Your rabbit will most likely enjoy most fruits you introduce and beg for more. Don't give in! 

Safe fruits:
Pineapple
Cantelope
Strawberry
Blueberry
Apple
Banana
Blackberry
Raspberry 
Papaya (Also used to unblock the digestive system when necessary)
Pear
Starfruit

Not all vegetables are high in fiber. For instance, carrots are high in sugar and should only be given sparingly. Next is a list of vegetables that are safe for rabbits but should only be given in small amounts.

Safe vegetables in small amounts:
Carrots 
Parsnips
Sweet peppers
Beetroot
Squash
Pumpkin (Also used to unblock the digestive system when necessary)
Cauliflower (Can cause gas)
Broccoli (Can cause gas)

​Most leafy green vegetables are high in fiber and should make up a good portion of your rabbits diet. Some families choose not to feed pellets to their rabbits which is completely ok. They can get the right amount of vitamins and nutrients from assorted leafy greens and a mixture of hays. A lot of families choose to feed pellets because it's already a balanced diet and it's much cheaper than 4-6 cups of fresh vegetables every day.

Safe vegetables:
Romaine lettuce
Broccoli leaves
Celery
Kale
Radish tops
Parsley 
Mint
Basil
Cilantro
Dandelion leaves
Collard greens
Bok choy
Mustard greens
Asparagus
Cucumber
​Spinach
Clover

Unfortunately there are rabbit foods and treats on the market that are not suitable for your furry little friends. Be careful when choosing a pellet that there aren't any colorful treats and seeds. The colorful treats are just carbohydrates which can cause obesity. Stay away from the following foods/ treats.

Unsafe foods:
Yogurt drops (A treat specifically for rabbits found in most pet stores)
Cereal
Hamster food
Bread
Pasta
Cookies
Crackers
Avocado
Nuts of anykind
Potatoes
Corn (No nutritional value)
Soy beans (No nutritional value)
Rice
Dairy
​Meat

I'd love to hear what you feed your rabbits! Comment down below!

​Proverbs 27:23 “Know well the condition of your flocks, and give attention to your herds.”

We add apple cider vinegar to our rabbits water for many health benefits. We recommend you do as well! One reason we use ACV is because it contains essential vitamins and minerals that increase the overall health of our buns. AVC is known to prevent urinary tract infections and helps keep their HP levels regulated. Being a breeder we want the healthiest babies we can produce and try our best to prevent any birth defects or deaths. ACV is known to improve digestion and increase nutrient absorption levels through the G.I tract.

If you will be housing your rabbit outside or have other animals and are worried about mites or fleas, ACV is a solution for you. It helps keep those nasty pesticides away. When a rabbit consumes ACV it makes them smell "off" to the fleas and is unattractive to them. It will also benefit in keeping their fur coat shiny and smooth.

Cages can be a pain to keep clean if your bunny isn't potty trained yet. If they have peed outside of their litter pan and you just wash it out with water, they can still smell their urine in that area resulting in them going in that same spot again. When we potty train rabbits we clean our their cage a specific way to help them learn. First we dump out their litter pan. You want them to be able to smell their urine in there litter pan only. Next we boil a big pot of water with one cup of ACV mixed in. Sprinkle baking soda on the bottom of the cage and pour the hot ACV/ water mixture into the cage. Dump it out, let it dry, and continue with potty training! Convinced yet?! This is a miracle liquid that every animal owner should use!