Rabbits are cute, intelligent animals and it’s no surprise they are very popular as pets. However, before you bring a rabbit into your home, you’ll need to ensure you’ve done your research and are fully prepared for what goes into looking after one of these animals.
Rabbits are a commitment, and have a lot of needs. Many people don’t know this and, as a result, rabbits are often surrendered to shelters as their owners didn’t do the research.
Fortunately, you’ve come to the right place to learn all about these fluffy creatures. Below you’ll discover what it takes to give a bun the best life, and you’ll be able to decide if you’ve got what it takes. With the right care and attention, bunnies can be one of the most rewarding pets to own!
Rabbit Overview
Rabbit’s are small animals, usually weighing around 6 pounds. There are many different breeds of rabbit, with over 50 breeds being suitable as a pet.
While many people believe they are a good first pet, there’s a lot that goes into looking after a rabbit. These animals are very sociable, and do best when living in pairs. They need plenty of exercise and toys to keep them mentally stimulated and active, otherwise they can become overweight or depressed.
Rabbits can live indoors or outdoors, but you’ll need to ensure they don’t get too hot or cold as the weather changes. They should always have access to space to run around and should never be constantly cooped up in a small hutch. Male and female rabbits can live together happily, as long as they are spayed and neutered – otherwise you may find yourself with lots of baby rabbits!
Rabbits are susceptible to a number of health issues, especially dental issues. Keeping an eye on your rabbit and checking them over regularly is important, because, as a prey animal, they don’t like to show when they are in pain. Ensuring your rabbit eats a healthy diet and has regular vet checkups is very important. While they are meticulous at grooming themselves, they may need occasional assistance with brushing and nail trimming.
Rabbits are rewarding pets as they can bond with their owners. If your rabbit trusts you, you’ll find they are happy to lay next to you, lick you, and eat treats out of your hand. They are highly intelligent animals and can be litter trained, too.
To learn more about keeping rabbits as pets and what it entails, keep reading on below.
Rabbit Housing
Rabbits can live both indoors and outdoors. Some owners like to keep their rabbit outdoors because they have more space, while others like to keep them indoors because they are closer to them and safe from any predators.
The number one thing you should take into consideration when housing a bunny is space. While these animals can be small, they need plenty of room. As a general rule, their hutch or cage should be at least four times the size of the rabbit. A guide is 24″ by 36″ for smaller rabbits (less than 8 lbs) or 30″ by 36″ for larger rabbits.
Inside your rabbits cage or hutch there should be ample room for all of their things, such as their food and water bowls and litter box.
Rabbits should be given at least a couple of hours outside of their cage every day for exercise, whether this in the yard or around the house. The best decision, though, is to choose a cage with a door to a large pen or run, so your bunny can come and go as they please.
You may not have space in your garden or home for a rabbit run, so this is something to take into consideration when getting a pet rabbit. Rabbits cannot be cooped up in their hutch all day; they need plenty of exercise to remain stimulated and happy.
Many owners choose to give their bunny free rein in an area of their house. This could be an entire room, or a designated space in a room. Free roaming bunnies have access to plenty of space to hop, run and exercise, which leads to a much happier life.
Don’t forget that bunnies can be destructive! If you choose to house them inside your home, you’ll need to rabbit proof the area. This includes protecting all wires that might get chewed, or house plants that might get eaten.
Weather is another factor to think about when choosing where to house your rabbit. If you live in a very cold or very hot climate, you might want to house your rabbit inside, where you can ensure the temperature is steady.
If the climate isn’t too extreme, you could house your bunny indoors in the winter, and outdoors in the summer, or even outdoors the entire time. When doing this, it’s important they have lots of hay and bedding to keep them extra warm when the temperature drops, and plenty of shade for hotter days.
You can learn more about housing your rabbit indoors and how it is different to housing your rabbit outdoors here.
If you unsure whether having an indoor or outdoor bunny is best, read our guide comparing the two for more detail.
Rabbit Diet
A well-balanced diet is very important for your rabbit’s health. They key components of your rabbit’s diet should be:
- Hay: High-quality grass hay, such as Timothy hay, should make up the majority of your rabbit’s diet. As a guide, they should be eating a bundle about as big as they are each day. Hay aids in their digestion and dental health.
- Fresh Vegetables: Leafy vegetables such as kale, parsley, and mint are important to your rabbit’s diet. They should have a small selection every day.
- Rabbit Pellets: Rabbit pellets that are high in fiber are important for your rabbit’s diet, but should be fed in moderation. Between a quarter and an eighth of a cup is enough, depending on their size. You should avoid mixes with nuts and seeds, as these are high in fat.
Treats can be fed in moderation, but you need to make sure you don’t feed them too many. They can cause obesity in rabbits and damage your rabbit’s teeth.
You can learn more about what to feed your rabbit here.
Rabbit Behavior
Rabbits are very social animals that can form strong bonds with each other and their owners. They are best housed in pairs to ensure they don’t get lonely or bored, but can be kept on their own as long as they are given plenty of enrichment and attention from their humans. Forming a bond with your bunny can take time, but once they trust you, they will happily take treats from you and even hop into your lap for a cuddle!
Rabbits are intelligent animals and their minds need to be kept engaged. Providing them with plenty of toys is important for their well-being, otherwise they can become bored. A bored rabbit can quickly become a depressed rabbit which can lead to their overall decline, so you must ensure they have plenty of space to move around and plenty of toys and games to keep them occupied.
These furry creatures also need plenty of exercise. This not only helps with their mental well-being, but can prevent them from becoming obese. Obesity in rabbits can cause a whole range of other health issues. Experts recommend at least four hours of exercise per day for rabbits (although continuous access to a large run is best), so you’ll need to ensure you can give them this time before bringing one home.
Rabbits communicate through their body language, so watching out for changes in their behavior can let you know how they’re feeling.
Rabbits are crepuscular, which means they mostly sleep during the day and night, and are more active at dusk and dawn. Rabbits don’t sleep for long periods like we do, but will nap throughout the day and night.
Rabbits are extremely meticulous at cleaning themselves, so don’t need much looking after in terms of washing or bathing. They will occasionally need their nails trimmed, and, depending on the breed, may need their fur brushed.
Bunnies can also be litter trained, which can make them much easier to clean up after! The process can take some time, but if you are consistent, they can learn to pee and poo in a litter tray.
Spaying/neutering your rabbit is advised, particularly if you have a pair of opposite-sex rabbits living together. This not only helps to control rabbit population, but can also help control rabbit behavior and keep certain health issues at bay.
Learn more about rabbit behavior here.
Rabbit Health
Just like other pets, rabbits can be prone to a number of health issues.
One of the most common problems for rabbits are dental issues, caused by a lack of fiber in their diet. Rabbit teeth are constantly growing, and overgrown teeth can cause a number of problems.
Chewing on hay naturally files rabbit teeth down, helping to keep them in check and at the right length. This is why hay is such an important part of their diet, and why you will need to ensure they are eating plenty of it every day.
Other rabbit health issues can include:
- GI Stasis: this is a potentially deadly condition in which the digestive system slows down or stops completely.
- Flystrike: this is when flies lay their eggs on soiled patches of fur and, when their eggs hatch, they begin to eat the rabbit from the inside out.
- Respiratory Infections: sneezing, nasal discharge, and labored breathing are signs of a respiratory infection and usually needs to be treated with antibiotics.
- Parasites: fleas and mites are something you will need to keep an eye out for.
Regular veterinary visits and frequent checks of your rabbit when handling and grooming them can help prevent many of these issues. To know what to look out for, take a look at the most common rabbit health problems and how to spot them.
How Long Do Rabbits Live For?
When getting a bunny, it’s important that you know you’re making a long-term commitment to them. Rabbits usually live for between 8 and 10 years, but can live as long as 12 years when they are looked after properly.
Rabbits And Children
Rabbits are often thought as a great pet for children, but this is not always the case. As we’ve shown above, bunnies are a big commitment and can live for up to 10 years. So, even if you get a bunny for your now-10-year-old, you need to make sure you’re willing to look after them even after your children may have gone off to college.
Rabbits need to be handed carefully, which means they are not always suitable for homes with young children. Many rabbits do not like to be held and will kick and scratch, which can be difficult for children to understand and can result in them dropping the rabbit. They may then get hurt, and your rabbit could end up with broken bones.
Loud spaces are also not suitable for rabbits, so you need to take children running around or shouting into consideration. While bunnies can create close bonds with their owners, scared bunnies will not. Bunnies also like a space where they can lay down and nap, and young children will need to be reminded of this.
Before gifting a bunny to a young child, consider the day-to-day tasks the child will have to undertake. This includes feeding and watering the rabbit, cleaning them out, spending time with them and grooming them. The novelty of having a pet rabbit may wear off quite quickly once the child realizes the hard work rabbits can be, and may become bored or stop looking after the rabbit properly.
While bunnies can be a great family pet, the primary caregiver for a bunny should always be an adult.
Traveling With Rabbits
Rabbits generally do not like to travel, and can easily get stressed out when placed in unfamiliar environments. If you are constantly on the move and often travel for work or pleasure, a bunny might not be the right pet for you. Very few airlines allow rabbits to fly in the cabin, and they can be subject to long quarantine times in certain countries.
If you’ve decided that rabbits are the pet for you, take a look at our article all about preparing for bringing your bunny home.
