Complete Rabbit Care at a Glance
Rabbits are prey animals that hide illness instinctively. By the time your rabbit looks sick, it's often already critical.
Rabbit Care Priorities
Rabbit Care Quick Reference
| Care Area | What to Do | Frequency | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hay | Unlimited timothy/orchard grass | Daily refill | Fiber prevents GI stasis, grinds teeth down |
| Enclosure | 8+ sq ft with exercise area | 24/7 access | Rabbits need to hop, stretch, and run |
| Veggies | Dark leafy greens (romaine, kale, cilantro) | Daily (1-2 cups) | Vitamins and hydration |
| Litter box | Paper litter in corner where rabbit already goes | Daily spot clean | Rabbits are naturally clean and easy to train |
| Vet visit | Exotic vet checkup + vaccines (RHDV2) | Annual minimum | Rabbits age fast and hide illness |
| Bonding | Daily interaction + a rabbit companion | Daily | Rabbits are social and can get depressed alone |
Daily Rabbit Care Routine
Rabbit Care Essentials
| Provide unlimited timothy hay — it should make up 80% of your rabbit's diet | |
| Give at least 8 sq ft of living space plus daily exercise time outside the enclosure | |
| Offer 1-2 cups of fresh dark leafy greens per 5 lbs of body weight daily | |
| Litter train your rabbit — they naturally choose one corner for bathroom use | |
| Find an exotic vet before you need one — not all vets treat rabbits | |
| Spay or neuter your rabbit — it prevents cancers and reduces hormonal behaviors | |
| Keep rabbits alone without a companion — they are social herd animals | |
| Feed muesli mixes, seeds, or grains — they cause obesity and selective feeding | |
| House rabbits with guinea pigs — rabbits carry Bordetella bacteria deadly to guinea pigs | |
| Use wire-bottom cages that cause sore hocks (painful foot sores) | |
| Skip the RHDV2 vaccine — this virus kills unvaccinated rabbits rapidly |
Rabbits cannot vomit. If they eat something toxic or indigestible, it stays in the system. This makes diet screening and rabbit-proofing your home absolutely critical.
The RHDV2 vaccine is now considered a core vaccine for pet rabbits in most regions. Unvaccinated rabbits have a near-100% mortality rate from this virus.
Rabbit Care Guide: Housing, Diet, Health, and Behavior
Rabbits are the third most popular pet in the US — and among the most surrendered to shelters. The gap exists because many people adopt rabbits without understanding their real needs. A well-cared-for rabbit is intelligent, affectionate, and endlessly entertaining. Here's everything you need to know.
🐇 Rabbit Quick Stats
Housing: The Biggest Mistake Most Rabbit Owners Make
Pet store cages are almost always too small. The minimum space for one rabbit is 4x their body length — and they need several hours of free-roaming time daily.
🏠 Housing Options (Best to Worst)
- Free-roam (entire bunny-proofed room) — ideal for bonded rabbits
- Large exercise pen (minimum 4x8 ft) — great option, can be expanded
- Large dog crate or hutch — acceptable if exercise time is provided
- Small pet store cage — not acceptable as permanent housing
Diet: The Hay Foundation
Hay is not a supplement — it's the core of a rabbit's diet. It keeps their digestive system moving and wears down their continuously-growing teeth.
- Unlimited timothy hay (or orchard grass) — should always be available
- Fresh leafy greens (1 packed cup per 2 lbs body weight per day): romaine lettuce, cilantro, parsley, arugula, basil
- Limited pellets (1/4 cup per 6 lbs body weight): choose plain, high-fiber pellets with no dried fruit or seeds mixed in
- Treats sparingly: a small piece of apple, strawberry, or banana once or twice a week maximum
Understanding Rabbit Behavior
Happy Rabbit Signs
- Binkying (jump + twist mid-air)
- Flopping dramatically onto side
- Grooming you (licking)
- Purring (soft tooth grinding)
- Thumping — only when alarmed
Unhappy/Stressed Signs
- Thumping repeatedly
- Lunging or growling
- Hiding constantly
- Overgrooming or fur pulling
- Teeth grinding (loud, painful)
Essential Health Care
- Spay/neuter: Critical — reduces cancer risk in females (80%+ risk of uterine cancer if unspayed by age 5) and prevents territorial behavior
- Vet checkups: Annual exams with a rabbit-savvy vet
- GI stasis: A life-threatening condition where the gut stops moving. Signs: not eating, no droppings, hunched posture. Emergency vet immediately.
- Grooming: Long-haired breeds need brushing every 1–2 days; all rabbits shed heavily 3–4 times/year