Rabbits are the third most popular pet animal in the UK, and people are now much more aware about responsible rabbit ownership. Gone are the days of keeping rabbits in cramped hutches outside, they’re now very much seen as part of the family like a dog or cat.

So if you're looking to bring a bunny home, there's some things you need to know about caring for rabbits. From a baby rabbit all the way up to a big thumper, this rabbit care guide will give you the lowdown on where to keep them, healthy diets, exercise and grooming.

What Kind of Rabbit Hutch Do I Need?

If your rabbit is going to live outside, choosing the right hutch and run is important to ensure your rabbit stays happy and healthy. Rabbit housing must never be a tiny, cramped hutch. No hutch can be too large for your furry friend… the bigger the better! Your rabbit needs room in their hutch to lay down stretched out with room to spare and be able to stand up on its hind feet.

The hutch should be raised off the floor so the air can circulate around it, and the roof must be waterproof. If you paint the hutch with wood preservative or paint don’t paint the inside just in case your rabbit chews it - some chemicals are toxic to rabbits. The hutch must be strong and secure so it’s safe from cats, dogs and any other unwanted garden predators.

The floor of the hutch should be solid (wire flooring causes sore feet), lined with newspaper and covered in wood shavings. Don’t use cedar as this can release fumes which can cause eye and breathing problems. Don’t use sawdust either as it’s too dusty which can cause eye irritation.

Lastly add a layer of straw, extra straw in their sleeping area means your rabbit can make a cosy bed to snuggle up in.

Cleaning your rabbit’s hutch regularly is essential. Remove any droppings every day using a dustpan and brush. The entire bedding should be removed and replaced every week. If the floor of the hutch becomes very wet, leave it open for a couple of hours so it can dry out.

Rabbits kept in dirty hutches are more likely to end up with problems like snuffles, urine scalding, dirty bottoms and fly strike.

Your rabbit will also need a secure outside run so they can stretch their legs, exercise freely and graze on some nice fresh grass. Runs need to be very secure so your rabbit can’t escape, and other unwanted animals can’t get in. Make sure your rabbit has shelter from the sun or rain when out in their run. A cardboard or plastic box with some straw inside should do the trick!

Can My Rabbit Live Indoors?

If you decide to house your rabbit indoors, you’ll need to think carefully about whether your house is the right environment for your rabbit. A rabbit might get scared by lots of noise and activity if you have young children. Rabbits are very sensitive to cigarette smoke and aerosol sprays so these should be avoided. And if you already have other pets like cats or dogs, care will need to be taken when introducing them to your rabbit so they can all live happily together.

Rabbit-proofing your home should be your priority. Rabbits like to chew! Make sure your indoor rabbit isn’t allowed into rooms where you keep your favourite wooden furniture or rugs. Protect any vulnerable carpet or flooring with plastic mats and makes sure any electric cables are out of reach or protect them with hard plastic tubing. Giving your rabbit lots of chew toys will help prevent any accidents!

You’ll also need an indoor rabbit cage or hutch so your bunny has somewhere safe to go to when it feels the need. You can also use the cage to confine your rabbit if you need to go out and don’t want to leave them roaming the house. The cage should be at least 180 x 90 x 90 cm if you have a large bunny, but bigger if possible. You can pop your rabbit’s litter tray, feed bowl, water and hay in the cage too.

What Rabbit Food Does My Bunny Need?

Wild rabbits eat mainly grass and hay which is high in fibre and pet rabbits require much the same.

Grass and good quality hay should be the main part of your rabbit’s diet, but you can add vegetables and green foods too which are also important. Vegetables and green foods like radish tops, broccoli, Brussel sprouts, celery or carrot can be given daily while dark green leafy vegetables like kale and spring greens, and other plants like dandelions, should be given less frequently as they contain high levels of calcium. You should also make sure your rabbit always has access to clean fresh water.

Rabbits will live very happily on a diet of grass, good quality hay and vegetables. But some owners like to feed a commercial food too. If you do decide to feed a commercial mix or pellets, be careful not to over feed your rabbit as this will lead to obesity and other health problems.

Does My Rabbit Need Exercise?

Your rabbit should have around 2 hours of free exercise every day. Ideally their exercise area should be outside in the fresh air with fresh grass to graze on, unless of course the weather isn’t very nice! Making a safe space in the house for them to jump and play in would be another great option.

Allowing your rabbit to have the run of the garden in a large secure run for a few hours a day will satisfy their natural instincts to run and play. The more exercise your rabbit gets, the happier and healthier they will be. Spend time with your rabbit playing games with their favourite toys, teach them to play fetch or set up some obstacles and teach them some agility!

Exercise time with your rabbit is not only good for their health and wellbeing but is a great opportunity for you to spend time bonding with your bunny.

Where Do I Start with Rabbit Grooming?

Grooming your rabbit is important to avoid any knots and tangles and maintain a healthy coat, it’s also a good time to check for signs of any health issues. Grooming also helps you to build a bond with your rabbit by spending some quality time together. A quick groom once or twice a week should do the trick. During moulting times in the spring and autumn you might need to brush them more often.

Rabbits are very good at cleaning themselves by licking, but hairballs can become a problem if they ingest lots of hair. When grooming your rabbit you’ll remove the dead hair which means your rabbit won’t ingest anywhere near as much.

Brush your rabbit from head to tail in the fur’s natural direction. Gently brush it once or twice in the opposite direction to check their skin for signs of parasites, scabs, skin soreness, etc. And check the area around their bottom as this can become dirty and can be a cause for concern. Grooming is also a great time to check their teeth are looking healthy too.

Most rabbits are easy to groom, especially if you start from a young age. If you have a long-haired breed, like an Angora it’s best to start grooming with a wide-toothed comb to ease out any knots, then go over with a fine-toothed comb. Never pull too hard on the fur as rabbits have very delicate skin which can tear easily.

What about Rabbit Neutering?

Male and female rabbits are usually neutered between four and six months old. In females, neutering can prevent false pregnancies, make them less territorial and prevent health problems like cancer. In males, neutering can prevent aggressive behaviour and urine marking.

Neutering also has the added benefit of unwanted pregnancies, because rabbits breed… like rabbits! There are many pet rabbits born every year that struggle to find homes, so neutering your rabbit, will help reduce these numbers, and safeguard your rabbit’s health.

Do Rabbits Need Vaccines?

The two main diseases that rabbits need to be vaccinated against are myxomatosis and viral rabbit haemorrhagic disease (strains 1 and 2). Both of these conditions are very serious and can be fatal. Once your rabbit has completed their first course of vaccinations, they’ll need two booster vaccinations every year to keep them protected.

Rabbit vaccinations are important. If you’d like more information about vaccinating your rabbit, contact your vet who will be happy to advise you on the best course of action for your bunny.

Everypaw Rabbit Insurance

It’s always a good idea to think about taking out pet insurance for your rabbit to help with the costs of new unexpected illnesses or injuries. Rabbit insurance can give you the peace of mind the cost of medication, vet prescribed complementary treatment or surgery can be covered.

There are three levels of Lifetime Rabbit Insurance to choose from, and every policy includes a range of additional benefits like Petcall. Petcall gives you 24/7 access to RCVS qualified vets and vet nurses so you can discuss your bunny's health and care whenever you need to.

Get a quote

 

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