Keeping Rabbits as Pets

Rabbits need good, secure, roomy housing and unless you can make one bought hutches and runs are not cheap. A good hutch has two compartments, one for the day, and an area to nest and hide in at night. Your hutch should allow your rabbit to be able to stand up on its hind legs, without its ears touching the top and be a minimum of four times the length of your rabbit. You will need a larger hutch for more than one rabbit and they may both need separate sleeping areas to enable time on their own. The hutch should be placed in a position sheltered from the weather, such as rain and direct sunlight. You must also provide a run for your rabbit so they have plenty of room to exercise and explore. Include objects for your rabbit to escape into such as boxes, flower pots, tubes and logs, as it gives them an area to play and rest, and enriches their environment.

Rabbits need good, secure, roomy housing and unless you can make one bought hutches and runs are not cheap. A good hutch has two compartments, one for the day, and an area to nest and hide in at night. Your hutch should allow your rabbit to be able to stand up on its hind legs, without its ears touching the top and be a minimum of four times the length of your rabbit. You will need a larger hutch for more than one rabbit and they may both need separate sleeping areas to enable time on their own. The hutch should be placed in a position sheltered from the weather, such as rain and direct sunlight. You must also provide a run for your rabbit so they have plenty of room to exercise and explore. Include objects for your rabbit to escape into such as boxes, flower pots, tubes and logs, as it gives them an area to play and rest, and enriches their environment.

Rabbits need feeding twice a day, every day, regardless of the weather or other arrangements. Their bowls must be cleaned, and fresh food and water must given every day. They must also be given fresh vegetables and hay daily to provide the fibre, vitamins and minerals required for good health. Provide them a complete diet, or if complementary, you will need to supplement with hay and dried grasses. Feed the recommended daily amount for your rabbit to avoid overfeeding, where the animal may become selective of what it eats, or become overweight. Providing gnawing blocks and twigs can also help dental wear and stimulation. You can provide your pet with edible wild plants, such as roses, marigolds, daisies and dandelions to eat but always check they’re clean and free from dirt and pesticides.

Rabbits need feeding twice a day, every day, regardless of the weather or other arrangements. Their bowls must be cleaned, and fresh food and water must given every day. They must also be given fresh vegetables and hay daily to provide the fibre, vitamins and minerals required for good health. Provide them a complete diet, or if complementary, you will need to supplement with hay and dried grasses. Feed the recommended daily amount for your rabbit to avoid overfeeding, where the animal may become selective of what it eats, or become overweight. Providing gnawing blocks and twigs can also help dental wear and stimulation. You can provide your pet with edible wild plants, such as roses, marigolds, daisies and dandelions to eat but always check they’re clean and free from dirt and pesticides.

Rabbits need daily exercise in a safe, preferably grassy area, for them to forage. Even house rabbits require fresh air daylight and grass. Handle your rabbit every day so they get stimulation and enjoyment and it also allows you to carry out a health check, to make sure that your rabbit is fit and healthy.
Avoid matting of the fur by grooming your pet regularly and it helps to build a relationship with them. Clean your rabbit out on a regular basis, at least once a week, and remove all soiled areas daily - providing a litter tray in the box may make this easier. Place it in their preferred area of toileting with some shavings or litter, as leaving a hutch dirty can lead to illness, infection and disease.
It’s also important to vaccinate your rabbit for myxomatosis and RHD every year, you may want to consider taking out insurance for your pet to avoid unnecessary veterinary bills if your pet becomes unwell.

Rabbits need daily exercise in a safe, preferably grassy area, for them to forage. Even house rabbits require fresh air daylight and grass. Handle your rabbit every day so they get stimulation and enjoyment and it also allows you to carry out a health check, to make sure that your rabbit is fit and healthy.
Avoid matting of the fur by grooming your pet regularly and it helps to build a relationship with them. Clean your rabbit out on a regular basis, at least once a week, and remove all soiled areas daily - providing a litter tray in the box may make this easier. Place it in their preferred area of toileting with some shavings or litter, as leaving a hutch dirty can lead to illness, infection and disease.
It’s also important to vaccinate your rabbit for myxomatosis and RHD every year, you may want to consider taking out insurance for your pet to avoid unnecessary veterinary bills if your pet becomes unwell.