Basic Rabbit Needs

Minimum size cage for a rabbit is six (6) times the size of the rabbit when full grown. The floor on the inside of the cage should be covered with either newspaper (several sheets thick) or with a grass mat so as to prevent "sore hocks" which rabbits can get from being on wire.

Rabbits need a food dish, either a metal one anchored to the cage or a heavy crock dish, with fresh pellets (plain rabbit pellets are best). Provide a water bottle of adequate size for the bunny. Check and change often. They also need a lot of hay like you would give horses--fresh loose timothy and golden oat hay sold at feed stores. For young bunnies, also add alfalfa hay. Timothy and oat hay are better for bunnies over one year. Hay is extremely important for digestion and for chewing. Get the hay fresh off the bale at feed stores.

One part of the cage should be covered for privacy with a towel or something similar.

A cardboard box (if cage is large enough) is nice to place inside the cage for privacy and chewing exercise. Do not let your rabbit eat carpet or swallow cardboard. Providing fresh hay near the play area will discourage eating harmful things.

One corner of the cage needs a litter box large enough for the bunny to hop into and turn around in. Anchor to inside of cage with a clothes pin from the outside. Encourage the bunny to use the litter box by placing a handful of alfalfa hay or oat hay in the litter box as well as near his/her food dish. Change the hay daily. Do not use cedar or pine chips as research has shown it is unhealthy for rabbits especially females. Pet stores use these to cut down odor, but at home, do not use long term.

Avoid giving bunnies under 3 months of age green vegetables as their systems cannot handle them if not used to greens, and they may get diarrhea. Small carrots are fine for youngsters, and of course, hay. After 3 months, offer them a combination of carrot tops, parsley, some dandelion greens, cilantro twice daily, and only in moderation to start with, like a small handful. Discard if not eaten in an hour or so. Do not give your rabbit cabbage, spinach, kale or cauliflower, and avoid iceberg lettuce.

You can supplement your bunny's diet with nice cold washed chunks of carrots, apples, pears, or bananas once or twice a day as treats. Limit banana & pears to once a day only about ½ inch.

Rabbits need exercise and your companionship. It is not safe for them to be outside at night at all! Rabbits are most active at dawn and at dusk, so a good hour or two out of the cage with you per day will make for a happy bunny. Cover electrical cords with flex tubing!

Spay/Neuter your rabbit at 4-6 months. Females need longer to recover, so don't handle much for several days.

For more information click here to visit The San Diego House Rabbit Society Home Page.