Hi Slavy,
Your rabbit doesn't need vaccinations. I know dog and catsget their annual shots, but rabbit's don't. Iwasshocked myself when I first found thisout.
I don't blame you for going to the vets and having them show you how toclip his nails. You can do it yourself and save yourself somemoney, but if you don't have someone show you at first and feel morecomfortable going to a vet to see how it's done, by all means, go forit.
The things that come to mind right away are:
-Don't use cedar chips as your litter. (Pine shavings arealso warned against, but some people do use them with little problemsif theyhave a rabbit cage.) The fumes that arecreated when rabbit urine mixes with cedar chips (and some claim pineshavings), is toxic for your rabbit and can cause respiratoryinfections. Oncea respiratory illness is incurred,it's hard to cure.
-I prefer a cage made for a rabbit: wire bottom, drop pan that can beslid out and litter cleaned. If you havea plasticbottom cage, be sure to clean it when the rabbit has soiledit. The reason why I like the rabbit cages is because theurine and poop drops right through the wire and the rabbit remains dryand clean of having to sit in it, especially with that beautiful coaton Henry! I like to have a bed or a plastic mat for my rabbitso that he can use it if/when he gets tired of the wire.
-Don't allow your rabbit to sit in a wet or dirtyenvironment. Rabbits need a clean, dry atmosphere for them toremain healthy and happy.
-Don't give your rabbit too many treats. Store-bought rabbittreats, fruits, and vegetables are loaded with sugar andsugar'sbad for your rabbit's GI intestinal system.
-Ifa rabbit is undera lot of stress all the time,it can become sick because stress can effect the way theirimmunitysystem works. Best toavoid loudnoisey areas for your little cutie, feed him at the same time each day,and keep him and his cage out of thedirect sun oradrafty area.
-A rabbit's cage, if in the house, should be in a room that is active,but not in a traffic path. Rabbit's like to be in-the-know as to what'sgoing on around them. It's best if you can find a quiet areaof the room to put the rabbit's cage in so that if he needs a nap, hecan do so without being interrupted.
-Your rabbit's most important part of a diet is a good pellet food(usually purchased from a feedstore--if you have questionsaboutbrands, ask). Anything that is colorful and inthe shapes of fruit, etc., probably is more of a 'junk food' for yourrabbit thanproviding the necessary nutrients and vitamins thelittle guy needs.Everything your rabbit needs forgood health is in a good quality rabbit feed. It's advised toalsoprovide him with the extra fiber thatTimothyHay gives because not only will your rabbit need thehelp in avoiding furballs in his system, it's great for his teeth andhis digestive system. The biggest need is freshwater. If you're running out of the house and you don't havetime to feed him,make sure healways has freshwater. Without water, rabbitswon'teat.
-Don't overfeed your bunny. An overweight bunny is nothealthy. They get to the point where they can cleanthemselves, and your in for bigger problems then.
-Nail trimming and grooming your rabbit is an essential part of your rabbit's health.
-Keep a good hard wood around for the rabbit to chew on. Notonly do they enjoychewing, but they need to to keep theircontinually-growing teeth properly filed down.
-Check out this site for rabbit's body language. It's TheBest!
http://www.muridae.com/rabbits/rabbittalk_intro.html
-Rabbit's sleep all day and generally are most active at dawn anddusk.Don't be concerned if your little onetakescat naps during the day. It's normal.
-Trust is built slowly with rabbits, but well worth the wait!
-Spend time with the rabbit, perhaps before you say good night, justpetting him and not trying to pick him up. Thiswill help the two of you bond. Talk to the little guyalot. They understand more than you think.
It's nice to have you among us. Welcome!
-Carolyn