Welcome to the wonderful world of bunny parenthood! Rabbits make engaging, affectionate companions when properly cared for. If you’re considering adding a fuzzy friend to your family, you’ve come to the right place. This complete guide will teach you everything you need to know to keep your new rabbit happy and healthy for years to come. You’ll learn all about diet, housing, litter training, bunny-proofing, enrichment, grooming, bonding, health, and more. We’ll even provide tips for finding a vet and essential care like spay/neuter. By the end, you’ll be fully prepared to give an adopted rabbit the best possible life in your home! Let’s hop to it!
Setting expectations: Rabbit lifespan
Rabbits can live between 8-12 years, though some may live even longer with proper care and a bit of luck. The average lifespan is around 10 years. As prey animals, rabbits are good at hiding signs of illness, so it's important to monitor them closely for any changes in behavior or appetite that could indicate a health problem. With proper diet, housing, vet care, and lots of love, you can help ensure your bunny friend enjoys a long and happy life with you!
Part 1: What to feed your rabbit
Hay
Hay should make up the majority of your rabbit's diet. Rabbits need a constant supply of hay to aid their digestive health and wear down their ever-growing teeth. Provide fresh timothy, orchard grass, oat hay, or other grass hays. Alfalfa hay is too high in calories and protein for adult rabbits except as an occasional treat. Hay should be available 24/7. Good quality hay is green, fragrant, and free of dust and mold. Storing hay properly in a bin or rack helps keep it clean and reduces waste.
Leafy Greens
Leafy greens provide important vitamins, minerals, and hydration. Introduce new veggies slowly and feed a variety daily. Good options include kale, romaine lettuce, parsley, cilantro, carrot tops, broccoli leaves, and spring greens. Limit high-calorie veggies like carrots. Greens should be washed and thoroughly dried before serving. Rotate greens to provide a variety. Sudden diet changes can upset your rabbit’s sensitive digestion.
Pellets
Pellets provide a balanced source of nutrients and fiber. Look for a timothy-based pellet formulated specifically for rabbits. Feed adult rabbits 1/4 to 1/2 cup pellets per day depending on size and activity level. Limit alfalfa-based pellets to young rabbits under 1 year old. Gradually transition to timothy pellets around 6-12 months old. Avoid mixes with seeds, nuts, or colored bits, which rabbits may selectively pick out instead of eating a balanced diet.
Part 2: How to set up an indoor enclosure
Enclosure size
Rabbits need sufficient room to express their natural behaviors. Enclosures should be at least 4 times the size of your bunny when laying down. Minimum recommended sizes are 36 square feet for small breeds, 64 for medium breeds, and 100 for large breeds. Multi-level enclosures provide more space. If your bunny has supervised run time daily, the minimum can be slightly smaller.
Exercise space
In addition to their enclosure, rabbits need daily exercise in a rabbit-proofed room or pen. At least a few hours per day allows them to run, play, and binky! Supervise their exercise time to prevent chewing and avoid accidents. Bunny-proof the space by removing wires, harmful objects, and eliminating access behind furniture. Set up litter boxes in play areas.
Temperature
Indoor temperatures between 60-75°F suit rabbits best. Avoid placing enclosures in drafty areas or direct sun. Provide hiding areas if your rabbit seems distressed by too much open space. Ceramic tiles or cooled stone slabs help bunnies stay comfy in warmer weather. If temperatures exceed 80°F, make sure your rabbit stays hydrated and watch for signs of heat stress.
Part 3: How to litter train your rabbit
Litter training utilizes a rabbit's natural tendency to eliminate in one spot. Use a non-clumping, unscented litter made from recycled paper, citrus, or pine pellets. Place litter boxes in corners where bunny likes to go. Gently return bunny to the box if accidents happen and reward going in the right spot. Most rabbits aim to keep their environment clean and will catch on! Thoroughly clean soiled areas to prevent re-marking. Intact rabbits have a stronger urge to mark territory. Altered rabbits often litter train more easily. Be patient, as it can take weeks or months for habits to form.
Part 4: How to bunny proof your home
Wires
Protect wires by running them through PVC pipes or plastic cord covers. Use bitter apple spray on exposed wires to deter chewing. Place wire-free baseboards over accessible outlets. Unplug wires when unattended. Check often for exposed areas rabbits can access, as their teeth never stop growing!
Cover rugs and baseboards
Rabbits love to dig and chew carpet and baseboards. Protect flooring with removable rugs and corrugated cardboard along walls. Provide dig boxes filled with soil, straw, or paper to satisfy natural urges. Supervise anytime rabbits have access to unprotected flooring.
Keep dangerous objects out of reach
Rabbits explore the world with their mouth. Keep houseplants, small objects, cords, toxic cleaners, and anything else dangerous locked away. Bunny-proof each room before allowing access. Set up pet gates to control entry to hazardous areas. Knowing what's within reach takes vigilance.
Part 5: Enrichment toys for your rabbit
Prey animals like rabbits need mental stimulation. Rotate novel toys to prevent boredom. Recommended toys include cardboard tubes, untreated willow balls, pinecones, hard plastic baby toys, tunnels, grass mats, and cardboard boxes. Provide branches from pesticide-free fruit trees to nibble safely. Rotate toys weekly to keep them interesting. Make homemade toys from cardboard, toilet paper rolls, and scraps. Supervise playtime to monitor for destruction and chewing hazards. Interactive play stimulates your bond. Novel experiences provide mental enrichment!
Part 6: Grooming your rabbit
Nail clipping
Rabbit nails grow continuously and require regular trimming. Ask your vet to demonstrate proper technique. Trim just the sharp tip, avoiding the inner quick which will bleed. Aim for monthly clippings. Check for ingrown nails which require veterinary care. Provide abrasive surfaces like rough tiles and cardboard for bunnies to wear down nails naturally.
Fur brushing
Long haired breeds require daily brushing to prevent tangles and hairballs. Use a slicker brush and grooming gloves to remove loose fur. Check for any mats, which can be carefully cut out. Shedding breeds blow their coats 1-2 times yearly. Increase brushing during molts to remove loose hair. Short-haired rabbits only need occasional brushing. Nail trims and brushing help reinforce the human-rabbit bond through positive, trusting handling.
Part 7: Socializing your rabbit
How to pet your rabbit
Gently pet from your rabbit's head down their back. Avoid touching the tail and hindquarters, which can elicit unwanted territorial behavior. Sit at your bunny's level and allow them to approach you first before attempting contact. Stroke cheeks and forehead to distribute gland secretions, marking you as a friend. Provide treats during handling to build positive associations.
How to pick up your rabbit
To lift safely, place one hand against the chest and the other under the hindquarters, keeping the back and head supported. Never pick up by scruffing the neck or ears. Cradle closely rather than dangling. Reward calm behavior with treats. Gradually increase handling durations to make the process less stressful. Avoid picking up rabbits unless necessary.
Basic Rabbit body language
Rabbits communicate through subtle body language. Relaxed rabbits groom themselves and sprawl out. Tense rabbits may thump and run away. An angry rabbit charges with head lowered. Happiness is expressed by binkying, flopping over, and circling your feet. Learning your rabbit's unique signals builds understanding.
Children and rabbits
With proper supervision, rabbits can make good pets for older children. Younger kids may accidentally injure a rabbit if unmonitored. Teach gentle petting and handling. Do not allow chasing, roughhousing, or treating rabbits as toys. Show children how to properly support a rabbit's body when lifting. The more positive early experiences a rabbit has, the more social they will become.
Your rabbit might need a little time to trust you
Rabbits are prey animals, so it is natural for them to be a bit skittish and wary at first. Have patience, go at their pace, and don't force interactions. Offer treats by hand to build trust. Sitting quietly in their space allows rabbits to make the first move. Repeated positive experiences will help your bunny realize you're a friend, not a predator! Bonding takes time, but the effort is well worth it.
Part 8: How to tell if your rabbit is sick
Rabbits instinctively hide illness to avoid appearing weak to predators. Subtle changes in behavior can signal health issues. Look for lethargy, decreased appetite or fecal/urine output, dental problems indicated by decreased eating, discharge from eyes/nose, swelling, diarrhea, abnormal breathing, limping, head tilt, or?ting in a hunched position. If anything seems off, contact your rabbit-savvy vet right away, as rabbits can deteriorate quickly when sick. An annual checkup detects problems early when treatment is most effective.
Part 9: Finding a rabbit veterinarian
Locate rabbit-experienced vets before bringing home your bunny. Exotic specialists can provide the best care for these sensitive prey species. Be sure the vet treats rabbits regularly, not just occasionally. Ask trusted rabbit rescue groups for recommendations. Schedule an annual wellness checkup to establish care. In an emergency, go to the nearest vet that sees rabbits, then follow up with an exotic specialist. Spay or neuter, parasite prevention, and vaccinations will help keep your bunny healthy!
Spay or neuter your rabbit
Altering rabbits improves litter box habits and reduces problem behaviors like aggression and spraying. It also eliminates reproductive cancer risks. Females should be spayed around 6 months old and males neutered at 4-6 months once hormones become active. The procedure is safe and recovery is usually quick with few complications. Reach out to local rescues for low-cost altering options. Responsibly altering rabbits is essential for improving health and harmony in your home!
Adopt a rabbit
Consider adopting your rabbit companion! Shelters and rescues have many wonderful rabbits searching for loving homes after being abandoned or surrendered. Adopting gives an animal in need a second chance. When arranged through a rescue, adoptions come with medical care, spay/neuter, and socialization to help ensure a successful match. Plus adoptions allow room in rescues to help more rabbits. Please adopt, don't shop!