Life with a Lop
Part One
Bunny Care Basics
Whether you're a first-time bunny parent or a seasoned pro, this guide covers the essentials to keep your Holland Lop happy and healthy for years to come. Adopters also receive a more thorough Care Guide that serves as an ongoing resource.
Housing
- Provide a spacious enclosure — at minimum 4x the size of your bunny
- Include a hiding spot for security and rest
- Allow supervised free-roam time daily outside the enclosure
Diet & Nutrition
- Unlimited Timothy hay should make up 80% of their diet
- Quality pellets — about ¼ cup per day for adults
- Fresh, clean water available at all times
Health & Wellness
- Find a bunny-savvy veterinarian before you need one
- Schedule annual wellness check-ups
- Watch for signs of GI stasis — the #1 bunny emergency
Grooming
- Trim nails every 4–6 weeks
- Brush regularly to prevent fur matting
- Never bathe a bunny — they clean themselves
- Check ears and scent glands monthly
Exercise & Enrichment
- Minimum 3–4 hours of exercise outside the cage daily
- Provide tunnels, cardboard boxes, and chew toys
- Rotate toys to keep things interesting
- Bunny-proof any areas they free-roam in
Bonding & Socialization
- Sit on the floor and let your bunny come to you
- Offer treats from your hand to build trust
- Bunnies are social — consider adopting in pairs
- Respect their space and let them set the pace
Part Two
Transition Guide
Bringing your new bunny home is exciting — and a big change for them. Here's how to make the move gentle, calm, and full of good first impressions.
Before Bunny Arrives
- Have the enclosure set up and ready in a quiet room before pickup
- Stock up on the same hay and pellets your bunny is used to
- Bunny-proof cords, houseplants, and baseboards in free-roam areas
- Locate the nearest bunny-savvy vet and book a wellness check
The Ride Home
- Use a secure carrier lined with hay and a soft towel
- Keep the car calm and temperature comfortable — avoid extreme heat or cold
- Offer water at rest stops on long drives
- Give your bunny the quietest, gentlest ride you can
The First Few Days
- Let your bunny decompress — limit handling and visitors at first
- Keep their world small: one room until they grow confident
- Sit nearby and let them approach you on their own terms
- Maintain the same diet to protect their sensitive tummy
Settling In
- Establish a consistent routine for feeding and playtime
- Introduce new spaces and people gradually
- Celebrate small wins — every nose nudge and binky is progress
- Reach out anytime — we love updates and are here to help
Stock Up
Our Shopping List
Want to shop exactly like we do? These are the everyday essentials we pick up at Tractor Supply so your Holland Lop has the same supplies they're used to at home.
Tractor Supply Run
Found at your local Tractor Supply Co.
Pelletized Bedding
Absorbent, low-dust litter box base
Sweet PDZ
Odor control granules for the litter box
Oxbow Timothy Meadow Hay
The daily staple — 80% of their diet
Oxbow Alfalfa
For young, growing, or nursing buns only
See our Shop page for more retailer favorites and small-business finds.
Part Three
Common Questions
The questions we hear most often — answered in one place. For anything else, we're always happy to help.