Rabbit Care Guide
Housing
Rabbits need a spacious, well-ventilated living area with a secure place to sleep and feel safe.
The easiest way to think about their housing is as a bedroom plus a living space. The bedroom should contain the essentials, including food, water, a litter tray and a hide. However, rabbits should spend most of their day outside this area, with plenty of space to move, play and exercise.
For some homes, this may be a large run or an extension attached to the cage. For others, it may be a dedicated rabbit room or a safe area within the house.
Rabbits should be able to stand fully upright, stretch out completely, turn around comfortably and hop at least three times in either direction. Avoid wire flooring, as it can cause discomfort and injuries. Indoor housing is generally the safest option.
Companionship
Rabbits thrive with a compatible rabbit companion. Desexing is generally recommended between 4 โ 6 months of age to prevent breeding and encourage a happy, harmonious bond. Male and female rabbits must be housed separately until both have been desexed and fully recovered. Introduce rabbits gradually in a neutral space, supervising them as their friendship develops.
Handling
Rabbits are prey animals and can find being lifted frightening. Interact with them at ground level whenever possible and allow them to approach you. When lifting is necessary, support the chest and hindquarters securely, keeping the rabbit close to your body. Never lift a rabbit by its ears or the scruff and supervise children closely.
Diet
Rabbits need a high-fibre diet to maintain healthy digestion and wear down their constantly growing teeth. Adult rabbits should have unlimited access to good-quality feeding hay, supported by high quality rabbit pellets and a small serving of fresh vegetables and treats. Suitable hays include oaten, timothy, meadow, pasture, wheaten and ryegrass hay. Lucerne hay is high in calcium and energy, so it is generally reserved for young, pregnant, nursing or underweight rabbits unless otherwise recommended by a rabbit-experienced veterinarian. Dietary needs can vary with age and health.
A good guide is: 75% Oaten Hay, 20% Pellets, 5% Fresh Vegetables and Treats
Fresh Vegetables and Treats Guide (5% of total diet)
Please note: Rabbits with urinary sensitivities should have limited servings of parsley, broccoli and other calcium-rich greens. Your veterinarian can help create the perfect menu for your bunny.
Fresh Water
Fresh, clean water should be available at all times. Check bottles daily to make sure they are working properly and have not become blocked. We recommend placing a small water bowl underneath your drink bottle. This provides access to open water while also catching bottle drips and helping keep the enclosure dry.
Enrichment
Keep your rabbits hopping, exploring and having fun with tunnels, cosy hides and chew-safe toys. Rotate their enrichment regularly to give them something new to investigate; and turn mealtimes into an adventure by scattering food or placing hay in different spots for them to find. Supervised time outside their enclosure also gives rabbits the chance to stretch their legs, forage and enjoy a few binkies!
Quick Reminder
Hay should be available all day, every day and offered in several locations to encourage natural foraging. Rabbits need both a cosy bedroom or home-base enclosure for resting and a spacious, secure living area where they can run, stretch, explore and play. Pellets are an important nutritional supplement, but they should never replace hay.