Considering welcoming a fluffy bunny into your home? Pet Rabbits are the third most beloved furry companions after cats and dogs, and for very good reasons! However, it’s important to understand that rabbits have specific needs and behaviors that are quite different from those of cats or dogs. Before you bring a bunny home, here are 12 essential things you should know.
1. Rabbits Are Long-Term Companions
Unlike some other small pets like hamsters or rats, rabbits have a significant lifespan. Depending on the breed and care, your pet rabbit can live for 8 to 12 years, and some even longer, reaching up to 15 years! This is a long-term commitment, so be sure you’re ready for many years of bunny companionship.
2. Indoor Living is Best for Rabbits
The old image of rabbits living alone in a backyard hutch is outdated and not ideal for their well-being. Pet rabbits thrive when they live indoors, in a safe and social area of your home where they can interact with the family. Ideally, this would be a large, enriched enclosure or even a bunny-proofed room where they have space to roam. Bringing your rabbit indoors allows them to become a true member of your family.
Your rabbit’s living space should be spacious enough to comfortably fit food and water bowls, at least one litter box, and a cozy hideout. It should also provide enough room for them to take several hops in a row. Remember, the more space you can offer, the happier and healthier your rabbit will be.
Standard pet store cages are often too small for rabbits. Instead, you can easily create a spacious and comfortable habitat using dog exercise pens or modular wire storage cubes. Larger enclosures are not only better for your rabbit’s well-being but also give you more creative freedom to decorate with toys, perches, and hiding spots. Plus, larger spaces stay cleaner for longer, making maintenance easier for you.
The floor of your rabbit’s habitat should be solid and comfortable, not wire or mesh, which can hurt their sensitive feet. For bedding, opt for safe wood shavings like aspen (avoid pine or cedar), recycled paper bedding, or soft, clean blankets.
3. Rabbits Retain Their Natural Prey Instincts
Rabbits are naturally prey animals, and this instinctual behavior carries over into their lives as pets. In the wild, when frightened, rabbits will either freeze in place or quickly run for cover. Your pet rabbit will exhibit the same behaviors. To ensure your rabbit feels secure, it’s crucial to provide them with a safe shelter where they can retreat when they feel scared or simply want some quiet time. This could be a cardboard box, a tunnel, or a commercially made rabbit hideaway, whether they are in their enclosure or exploring a larger room.
4. Rabbits Need Plenty of Exercise
Rabbits are naturally active and playful animals that require ample space to move around. Your pet rabbit needs a minimum of four hours of exercise outside of their enclosure each day. You can allow them to explore a bunny-proofed room freely, or use dog exercise pens to create a safe, enclosed area for them to hop, run, and play. “Bunny-proofing” your home is essential for their safety. This involves moving houseplants out of reach, covering or blocking access to electrical cords, and removing any other potentially harmful items.
5. Rabbits Are Intelligent and Need Mental Stimulation
Rabbits are smart creatures and can easily become bored if not mentally stimulated. To keep your rabbit entertained and prevent boredom, especially during times when you are at work or school, provide them with a variety of engaging toys. Safe chew toys, hay towers, and puzzle feeders are excellent options. You can hide healthy treats within cardboard mazes or food balls to encourage foraging behavior. Also, ensure they always have plenty of fresh hay available in their litter box.
Chewing is a natural behavior for rabbits and is essential for wearing down their continuously growing teeth. Providing appropriate chew toys not only keeps them entertained but also supports their dental health.
6. Rabbits Thrive on Companionship
Rabbits are social animals who naturally live in groups in the wild. They genuinely enjoy having company. Consider adopting a pair of rabbits, especially if you are away from home for extended periods. Having a rabbit friend can significantly enrich your pet rabbit’s life. They will groom each other, play together, eat side-by-side, and snuggle up for naps, providing each other with constant companionship.
7. Rabbits Need Regular Grooming
Rabbits are meticulous groomers themselves and do not require baths from their human owners. However, they do need regular brushing, especially long-haired breeds. Brushing helps to prevent matting of their fur and reduces the amount of loose fur they ingest while grooming themselves. Unlike cats, rabbits cannot cough up hairballs, so ingested fur can cause serious health issues.
In addition to brushing, rabbits need their nails trimmed every 4 to 6 weeks. Rabbit nails contain a quick (blood vessel), and cutting too short can be painful and cause bleeding. If you are unsure how to trim your rabbit’s nails, it’s best to seek guidance from a veterinarian or experienced rabbit owner. Having a second person to help hold the rabbit during nail trims can make the process easier and safer.
8. Carrots Are Not a Staple Food for Rabbits
Rabbits are herbivores, meaning their diet consists solely of plants. The cornerstone of a healthy pet rabbit diet is grass hay. Offer your rabbit unlimited amounts of fresh grass hays such as Timothy hay, orchard grass, or meadow hay. Hay is essential for proper digestion and helps to wear down their teeth naturally. Avoid alfalfa hay, as it is too rich in calcium and protein for most adult rabbits and should only be given as an occasional treat or to young, growing rabbits.
Fresh vegetables, particularly leafy greens, should be offered daily. Good choices include bok choy, parsley, romaine lettuce, green leaf and red leaf lettuce (avoid iceberg lettuce as it has very little nutritional value), cilantro, celery leaves, and carrot tops. Fruits and carrots should be given only as occasional treats and in very small quantities due to their high sugar content. Introduce any new foods gradually to avoid digestive upset.
High-quality, high-fiber rabbit pellets can supplement their diet, but they should be given in limited amounts. Too many pellets can lead to weight gain and other health problems, and can also reduce their hay consumption, which is crucial for their health.
Rabbits have sensitive digestive systems. Keep their diet simple, high in fiber, and low in sugar. For more detailed information on rabbit nutrition, consult resources like the BC SPCA Rabbit Food Guide (PDF).
9. Rabbits Can Be Litter Trained
Yes, rabbits are intelligent and can be successfully litter trained! Training your rabbit to use a litter box makes keeping their living space clean and your house tidy much easier. Regularly clean their litter box every 1 to 2 days and thoroughly clean their entire enclosure once a week.
A large, plastic cat litter pan works well as a rabbit litter box, ensuring it’s big enough for your rabbit to comfortably fit inside and turn around. Line the bottom of the litter box with a few inches of rabbit-safe litter made from paper or wood-based pellets. Encourage litter box use by placing a generous amount of Timothy hay in the litter box, as rabbits often like to eat hay while they eliminate.
10. Rabbits Require Veterinary Care
Regular veterinary care is just as important for rabbits as it is for cats and dogs. Spending time with your rabbit daily will help you become familiar with their normal behavior and habits. If you notice any unusual changes, such as diarrhea, a hunched posture, or loss of appetite, it’s essential to take them to a veterinarian experienced in rabbit care promptly. As prey animals, rabbits are adept at hiding signs of illness, so even subtle changes can indicate a serious health issue.
Preventative care, including vaccinations, is also crucial. In certain regions, rabbits need vaccination to protect them from serious diseases like Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease. Consult with your veterinarian about necessary vaccinations and preventative care for your pet rabbit. You can find more information about specific diseases like Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease from resources like this information sheet (PDF).
11. Rabbits Prefer to Be on Solid Ground
Despite their cuddly appearance, most rabbits do not enjoy being picked up and held. When lifted off the ground, rabbits often feel insecure and frightened, and may struggle to escape, kicking out with their powerful hind legs. This can result in scratches for you and potential injuries for your rabbit if they are dropped during their struggle.
Instead of picking up your rabbit, build trust and interaction by sitting or lying on the floor and allowing them to approach you at their own pace. Some rabbits are naturally shy and may take time to become comfortable in a new home. Once they are comfortable, you can gently pet them. A relaxed rabbit might even lick you or “chin” you (rubbing their chin on you), which is their way of marking you with their scent as part of their territory.
If it is absolutely necessary to pick up your rabbit, always use two hands: one hand supporting their hindquarters and the other around their chest. Hold them securely against your chest to help them feel more safe and supported.
12. Rabbits Can Reproduce Quickly
Rabbits are known for their rapid reproduction rate. A single unspayed female rabbit can be responsible for hundreds of offspring in just one year. To prevent pet overpopulation and contribute to responsible pet ownership, it is highly recommended to spay or neuter your pet rabbit. Most reputable shelters, like the BC SPCA, spay or neuter rabbits before adoption. Spaying or neutering also offers health and behavioral benefits for your rabbit, including making litter box training easier and reducing the risk of certain health problems.
Ready to Commit to Pet Rabbit Adoption?
If you are prepared for the joys and responsibilities of rabbit ownership, consider adoption! View adoptable rabbits at your local shelters and rescue organizations and give a deserving bunny a loving forever home.
