Rabbit Home Requirements
Rabbit Home Requirements
Housing – Rabbit Home Requirements
- Indoors is much healthier, safer and more enjoyable for everyone
- Roomy cage–six times the size of adult rabbit
- Minimum size is 36” x 36” x 24”
- A wire dog crate and/or an exercise pen make an excellent housing setup
- Resting board of carpet, cardboard or wood (needed if case floor is made of wire) to cover part of cage floor not covered by litter box; cover resting board with comfy towel
- Litter box fastened inside cage to reinforce litter box training (never use pine or cedar shavings)
- Heavy pellet bowl (must be heavy enough so rabbit can’t tip over; plastic bowls will not work) or clip-on feeder
- Water bottle or heavy crock (again, to discourage tipping)
- Bird toys (rabbits love to toss things around; don’t use toys with loose parts that can be swallowed)
- Stuffed toy companion (someone for your rabbit to groom)
Running Space
- Indoors is much safer
- Gradually increase freedom to at least 6 hours daily (an exercise pen can be used to introduce rabbits to a larger area)
- Bunny-proof electric cords (cover with protective tubing)
- Place second litter box outside cage (cat litter boxes work well; you can set one up in every room available to your rabbit)
Consumables
- Hay (a must for fiber and nutritional value)
- Timothy hay is preferable
- Oat and grass hay can be used
- Alfalfa hay is acceptable if no other source can be found but should be the last choice
- Fresh vegetables and fruits (feed fruits very sparingly)
- Rabbit pellets
- Fresh water
- Wood for chewing and recreation (pinecones, fruit tree twigs–no pesticides; untreated wood or reed baskets)
- See pages 2-5 of HRC’s Rabbit Care Guide for specific amounts and varieties of hay, vegetables, pellets, and fruit
Grooming
- Nail clippers (most cat and dog clippers will do)
- Brush (flea comb works well)
Handling
- Very important: learn the proper way to handle a rabbit. If rabbit is struggling, either restrain against your body or squat down or release immediately. See pages 16-17 of HRC’s Rabbit Care Guide.
Veterinary Care
- Schedule a check-up with a rabbit-savvy vet at least once a year.
- Consult your vet about the benefits of spaying and neutering; see page 42 of HRC’s Rabbit Care Guide.
Companion(s)
- Consider adopting a spayed or neutered companion for your rabbit.