The most important thing to do before adopting a bunny: your research! Bunnies need just as much care as any other pet, and have some unique needs.
Below, we will cover some of the basics of rabbit care to get you started. [1]
Things to Know Before Adopting a Bunny
Diet
Food: Mainly consisting of grasses, these little herbivores require large amounts daily as well as a healthy dose of leafy green vegetables and flowers and fruits for enrichment. Grasses include; oaten, rye, Timothy and meadow. They need grass/hay available at all times to promote proper GI health and teeth wear.
The hay should be long, green and sweet-smelling. Having two or more types available at all times is best. Commercial pellets should only be a small part of their diet. You can find more detailed information about diet here.
Water: Bunnies require fresh water all the time. It is best to give them water in a shallow bowl. “Hamster waterers” are not ideal for bunnies.
Environment
Enclosure: Ensure your new little friend has lots of room to roam! Cages should be large enough that they can stand on their hind legs without hitting their heads on the top.
They need room to roam, a resting area and room for food, water and a litter box. Specialty hutches are perfect for this.
Cages should be kept in a cool well-ventilated area. Outdoor rabbits require a burrow-proof enclosure with shelter from precipitation and varying temperatures. They also need to be predator proof!
Excerise: Rabbits also require a larger exercise area. They cannot be kept in their cages at all times. To allow your bunny in your home: make sure you block all escape routes, electrical cords and anything else you don’t want them getting into or may be unsafe!
If you don’t want them to have free access in the home, you can buy a pen or use fencing panels used for dogs. You can also place these outside, but they must be supervised to protect from escape and predators.
Rabbits run and do “binkies” when they are happy (run and clap their feet together)! They need exercise for a few hours a day to stay happy, healthy and avoid behavioural problems.
Litter Box: Rabbits should have one or two litter boxes with pellet litter. Do not use kitty litter as they can eat it and get sick.
Resting: a box full of hay may suffice, but some rabbits prefer to have an enclosed box to hide in. It’s best to offer both until you see what your new pet prefers!
Toys: Rabbits need plenty of mental stimulation. Rabbit-safe toys include non-treated tree branches, wooden chew-toys and unpainted straw or wicker baskets. You can also find a variety online or in pet stores.
They also enjoy toilet paper rolls, small cardboard cartons, and air filled balls. Hiding treats or food in them also encourages foraging behaviour!
Handling: This varies rabbit to rabbit. Some rabbits won’t tolerate being handled. You should never force this on a bunny.
Their backbones are VERY fragile and can fracture easily. Always support the hind end when you handle them. Scoop them under the chest, then place your hand under their hind legs and lift them. Practice close to the floor so that you don’t drop them.
Spaying/Neutering
The best age to spay a rabbit is between 4-6 months of age. Always consult an exotic vet to make sure this is appropriate for your bunny.
Unspayed female rabbits have a higher chance of developing uterine adenocarcinoma, a malignant cancer.
Spaying also helps to avoid a number of other uterine diseases as well as preventing pregnancy.
In male rabbits, neutering helps to avoid aggression issues and spraying to mark their territory.
