Rabbit Care 101

Rabbits are quite a low maintenance pet if you don't mind mountains of coco puff poops. But if that startles you, you may want to prepare yourself.. Rabbits can live up to 9 years old, some even longer than that. It is recommended to spay or neuter your rabbit to prolong their lifespan and prevent cancer. I like to tell my adopters that rabbits are actually a lot like dogs and cats: they require a lot of space for activity but they also don't need your undivided attention on them at all times. Housing You can house rabbits outdoors! If you live somewhere where you don't see frigid winters, you can likely have a hutch outdoors in a sunroom or even in your backyard. We live in New England in the US and house our rabbits outdoors Spring-Fall and when winter comes we bring them indoors as we have a beautiful basement space set up for everyone. It is bunny heaven! So if you do get cold winters, that is okay as long as you have a warmer, well lit area to bring them into. Indoor rabbits need quite a bit of space, if you have that available to you it is recommended to splurge and get a large dog pen or what many call an "xpen" for your rabbit(s). Others prefer the look of hutches because they can blend in well with your furniture. And if you are limited on space, the cages you buy at the pet store are in fact okay to use. The trade off is compensating the limited space by letting your rabbit have more time to free roam. Diet A rabbits diet doesn't just means hay, lettuce and carrots. In fact, it is 80% hay, 15% greens and 5% pellets. Carrots and other veggies/fruits are seen as treats and should be fed in moderation. A detailed list of their best and worst foods can be found here. Since hay is their primary source of nutrition, it should be available 24/7. Mixed types of hay are fine in moderation but timothy hay is the ideal choice for any rabbit. Babies and nursing mama buns will need alfalfa hay.

While some recommend water bottles for rabbits teeth, they get less water from these and can get dehydrated so it is best to provide a water bowl like other pets. This mimics how they find water in the wild. Exercise Rabbits enjoy being able to roam around, allowing them to "zoomie" across your room. Though some tend to be less active, having some toys available can help cure boredom and prevent chewing on furniture or wires in the house. Having toys that can be chewed help their teeth naturally to prevent overgrowth. Hideouts (usually made of hay but fabric ones are okay too) are great for the rabbit that isn't too active but want to change environments. Some rabbits that are well-handled in the early development enjoy walks with a harness and leash around the yard. Though don't put too much stress on your rabbit if they aren't liking it, beginning as a young rabbit and staying consistent gets them used to it. Health If you are not currently a breeder, it is recommended to spay or neuter your rabbit after 6 months of age. This not only prevents risks to their health such as cancer, but it allows you to have more than one rabbit without fighting or accidental litters. Breeding rabbits is not for everyone also. Many rabbits end up in rescues who were products of breeding and that is usually mixed breeding from uneducated owners. Breeding not only takes a lot of research but space and dedication. Whether you are showing at 4H fairs or ARBA shows or simply just breeding one breed for pedigree, it takes more than just throwing two bunnies together. Additionally, with the rise of RHDV2 coming to the United States, it is best to keep your rabbits indoors if possible. Many homesteaders have their bunnies living outside, so take precautions by making sure their homes are safe from wild rabbits stopping by.