Keeping Rabbits in Your Home

Assign a space for your rabbit and its hutch

One of the most important parts of keeping rabbits healthy is giving them a safe place to live. Rabbits are social creatures who like to live in groups, so you should keep two or more rabbits in the same area to prevent loneliness. Rabbits should have a place to sleep and even a small, indoor cage. If you don’t have enough space to accommodate a cage, you can also use a hutch. When shopping for a hutch, look for something spacious and durable made with wood or wire mesh. Your rabbit will spend a lot of time in its hutch, so you don’t want it to be cramped or uncomfortable.

Make sure the area is well-ventilated

Rabbits love to dig, and they’ll happily dig up your floors if they’re not kept in a ventilated space. Luckily, you can fix this by digging a small trench around the edges of your rabbit’s enclosure. This will help funnel air into the cage, keeping your bunny healthy. If you are keeping your rabbit indoors, be sure to leave enough room for it to hop, stretch, and run around. A rabbit kept in too small a space will likely become bored and may start to act out. You don’t want your rabbit to feel trapped or frustrated, so make sure it has plenty of room to run around and explore.

Decide on a diet and stick to it

Rabbits are herbivores, so they need a steady diet of vegetables, fruits, and other fibrous plants. Rabbits can eat carrots, but they should not eat the greens attached to them. Unfortunately, many vegetables and other foods that rabbits enjoy can also be poisonous to them. Keep an eye on your rabbit’s droppings to make sure it’s getting the right nutrients. If you notice that your rabbit’s poop is very runny or smells bad, it may be lacking in fibre. Some common signs of a lack of fibre include weight loss, soft or runny poop, and even diarrhea.

Set up a litter box and train your rabbit to use it

Most rabbits don’t naturally dig in their litter. In fact, rabbits are actually very clean creatures. Unfortunately, their poop is very smelly and messy, so you’ll want to contain it in a litter box. Choose a litter box that’s large enough for your rabbit to hop in and out of easily. The box should also be low enough for your rabbit to hop in and out without jumping very high. Usually, a box that’s about 12 inches high will work well for a small rabbit. Rabbits love to dig in their litter, so avoid using pine or other aromatic bedding. Instead, use plain, unscented litter that’s neutral enough not to irritate your rabbit’s skin. Rabbit poop can be very smelly and messy, so make sure you clean the litter box regularly and replace the bedding. You should also wash your rabbit’s litter box every few weeks; this will also help keep the smell down.

Give your rabbit a toy or two

Rabbits love to play, but rabbits kept indoors may not get the chance to express this. Keep your bunny entertained by giving it a toy or two. You can buy toys made for rabbits, or you can try repurposing items around your home. Some great toy ideas for rabbits include wooden spoons, cardboard boxes, or an empty toilet paper roll. Avoid using stuffed animals, as these may be dangerous if your rabbit decides to chew on them. Rabbit toys are also a great way to get your bunny moving and help keep its muscles strong. Remember, rabbits are very active creatures and should have plenty of space to hop around and run.

Ensure that the bunny has plenty of hay, fibre, and vitamins

Your rabbit’s diet should consist mainly of fresh vegetables, fruits, and other fibrous plants. However, a healthy rabbit also needs a daily source of hay. Hay is an essential part of your rabbit’s diet, but it should also be used to keep your bunny’s fur and teeth clean. Rabbits love to chew, and chewing on hay helps them clean their teeth, so it’s important to make sure your rabbit has plenty of this fibre. There are many types of hay, so you can try different kinds to find one your rabbit likes. Alfalfa and timothy hay are great for rabbits. Rabbits also need extra vitamins and minerals, such as vitamin C, calcium, and fibre, that they can’t get from fresh plants alone. As a general rule, rabbits need a daily dose of 1,000 mg of vitamin C, 0.3 mg of vitamin D3, 3 mg of calcium, and 0.5 g of fibre per kilogram of body weight.

Take your bunny for regular vet visits

Keeping an eye on your rabbit’s health is important, and the best way to do this is by taking it to the vet regularly. Most vets will advise you to bring your rabbit in for a check-up every six months, or sooner if it’s purchased from a pet store or has recently been adopted from a shelter. At the vet, your rabbit will receive a full medical exam, including blood tests and a parasite check. The vet may also clip your rabbit’s nails, weigh them, and spay female rabbits. Finally, make sure you keep your rabbit clean and healthy by washing its cage regularly and feeding it a healthy diet. Keeping a rabbit as a pet can be a rewarding experience, but it does come with some extra responsibilities. With these tips, you’ll be well on your way to keeping a happy, healthy rabbit at home.