| ***RAISING MELVIN *** OUR ON-GOING PROCESS |
We are amateurs when it comes to raising a wild rabbit. When we put Melvin's first videos on You Tube,
we were contacted by an very knowledgeable man offering to share information with us regarding
raising a wild bunny. Knowing basically nothing, we took him up on his offer and received valuable
information on the rearing and care of Melvin. Thank you, Dave Wood, from the beautiful state of
Oregon, for all your help and advice! Much of the information you will read was supplied to us by Dave,
who patiently answered the many questions we had. Dave, your willingness to share your knowledge
with us was and is so appreciated. We are very grateful to you, and have realized that we have gotten a
new friend in the process.
***************************************************
***Very Important*** Petco carries a product called Bene-bac. There are four small tubes per package,
and it is specially formulated for small mammals. The trouble with rabbits is the fact that their tummies
have no natural flora, ie., bacteria. They establish this by consuming their mother's cecotropes (small,
sticky, odorous fecal pellets produced in the mother rabbit's cecum and expelled.). It is important that
you establish some tummy flora. This can be dangerous because certain bacteria produced by
digestive enzymes will go unchecked without the aid of the beneficial bacteria. That's when diarrhea
may set in. By the time the baby bunny develops diarrhea, it's already too late.
Bene-bac is in a formulation that you just squirt into the mouth. It is not very thick, but, it is a
gel…supposedly banana flavored. But, as with anything you squirt into an animal's mouth, take care
that they don't choke on it.
Initial dose: 1 gram (about 1/4 tsp.)
2nd dose: 3 days later: 1 gram
3rd dose: 6 wks. Later
4th dose: 6 wks. After that
This is also good to keep on hand to combat stress induced diarrhea. After the bene-bac treatment,
start increasing the amount of solid foods while SLOWLY decreasing the amount of formula.
we were contacted by an very knowledgeable man offering to share information with us regarding
raising a wild bunny. Knowing basically nothing, we took him up on his offer and received valuable
information on the rearing and care of Melvin. Thank you, Dave Wood, from the beautiful state of
Oregon, for all your help and advice! Much of the information you will read was supplied to us by Dave,
who patiently answered the many questions we had. Dave, your willingness to share your knowledge
with us was and is so appreciated. We are very grateful to you, and have realized that we have gotten a
new friend in the process.
***************************************************
***Very Important*** Petco carries a product called Bene-bac. There are four small tubes per package,
and it is specially formulated for small mammals. The trouble with rabbits is the fact that their tummies
have no natural flora, ie., bacteria. They establish this by consuming their mother's cecotropes (small,
sticky, odorous fecal pellets produced in the mother rabbit's cecum and expelled.). It is important that
you establish some tummy flora. This can be dangerous because certain bacteria produced by
digestive enzymes will go unchecked without the aid of the beneficial bacteria. That's when diarrhea
may set in. By the time the baby bunny develops diarrhea, it's already too late.
Bene-bac is in a formulation that you just squirt into the mouth. It is not very thick, but, it is a
gel…supposedly banana flavored. But, as with anything you squirt into an animal's mouth, take care
that they don't choke on it.
Initial dose: 1 gram (about 1/4 tsp.)
2nd dose: 3 days later: 1 gram
3rd dose: 6 wks. Later
4th dose: 6 wks. After that
This is also good to keep on hand to combat stress induced diarrhea. After the bene-bac treatment,
start increasing the amount of solid foods while SLOWLY decreasing the amount of formula.
Natural Greens from the yard: Grass, dandelion plant, wild strawberry vines, clover. This is her
mainstay of food. These are rinsed in the sink and put in a plastic bag in the crisper; and,
replenished when needed. Melvin eats in the a.m. and p.m. and then a little extra at bedtime.
Store Bought Food: Broccoli crowns, green peppers,
Do not feed your bunny Head lettuce or cabbage - this will cause diarrhea. Romaine lettuce is ok.
Feed Timothy Hay freely - you can get this at any pet store. They love it!
Foods to use sparingly: carrots, apples, pears...basically any fruit because of their sugar
content. Carrots are high in sugar and should be fed as a supplement once a day, or even as a
treat every couple days. (1 - 2 baby carrots) Melvin loves and fruits (especially apples and
pears), but, we have to limit them. And, when we do give him some, it's just a little cut-off piece
of the fruit. You are not doing your bunny a favor by giving him sweet treats often. It will only
cause problems down the line; but, do not deny him a little from time to time.
mainstay of food. These are rinsed in the sink and put in a plastic bag in the crisper; and,
replenished when needed. Melvin eats in the a.m. and p.m. and then a little extra at bedtime.
Store Bought Food: Broccoli crowns, green peppers,
Do not feed your bunny Head lettuce or cabbage - this will cause diarrhea. Romaine lettuce is ok.
Feed Timothy Hay freely - you can get this at any pet store. They love it!
Foods to use sparingly: carrots, apples, pears...basically any fruit because of their sugar
content. Carrots are high in sugar and should be fed as a supplement once a day, or even as a
treat every couple days. (1 - 2 baby carrots) Melvin loves and fruits (especially apples and
pears), but, we have to limit them. And, when we do give him some, it's just a little cut-off piece
of the fruit. You are not doing your bunny a favor by giving him sweet treats often. It will only
cause problems down the line; but, do not deny him a little from time to time.
| ***WHAT MELVIN EATS *** |
| ***TIPS FROM MELVIN*** |
Wild rabbits and domestic rabbits are like apples and oranges. Hundreds of years of
domestication has altered domestic rabbit physiology. Some of the things wild rabbits eat are
potentially dangerous to domestic bunnies. Therefore, you cannot treat a wild rabbit the
same as a domestic rabbit.
Generally, wild rabbits won't drink out of a water bottle hooked to the side of a cage. They
are more comfortable drinking from a small crock bowl, as it is a more natural approach for
their intake of water.
Do Not Feed: corn, beans, or nuts….avoid at all costs. Most of their bulk is undigestible by
rabbits and can cause a blockage in their intestines.
Rabbit Cage: We use pine shavings, NOT cedar shavings. Melvin uses one corner of the
cage to do her elimination. Her feed area is at the other end with a little wood division to keep
it somewhat separate from her running around area. She actually uses a large corner litter
tray/pan as her bed (folded towel inside).
More information and tips will be added in the future, so stay tuned! We are
constantly learning new things each day.
constantly learning new things each day.
***Special Note***: We do realize that the survival rate of wild rabbits is very, very low,
not only in nature, but when raised in captivity. Their little bodies are very sensitive and
delicate, and they can get easily stressed. We try to take note of any unusual changes in
behavior; and, to respect the natural tendencies of this amazing animal. We have been
very blessed with Melvin. She has and continues to enrich our lives. We do realize she is
wild and will never be domesticated....yet, little Melvin continues to show us a side to her
which is very loving and playful. She plays with toys and she loves snuggling in your lap
and even gives kisses when being massaged. Now, what more could one ask for?
not only in nature, but when raised in captivity. Their little bodies are very sensitive and
delicate, and they can get easily stressed. We try to take note of any unusual changes in
behavior; and, to respect the natural tendencies of this amazing animal. We have been
very blessed with Melvin. She has and continues to enrich our lives. We do realize she is
wild and will never be domesticated....yet, little Melvin continues to show us a side to her
which is very loving and playful. She plays with toys and she loves snuggling in your lap
and even gives kisses when being massaged. Now, what more could one ask for?