Rabbits are popular companion animals, yet their specific care requirements are often misunderstood compared to those of cats or dogs. These small mammals possess a unique physiology that demands a specialized environment and diet to thrive. Understanding their distinct needs is the first step toward ensuring their well-being and a long, healthy life.
The Essential Diet
The digestive system of a rabbit is highly specialized, relying on a constant flow of high-fiber material to function correctly. Diet is the single most important factor in maintaining a rabbit’s health. The bulk of an adult rabbit’s diet must consist of grass hay, such as Timothy, Orchard, or Brome, which should be available at all times. The long, indigestible fibers in hay are necessary to stimulate gut motility, ensuring food moves through the digestive tract at the correct pace.
Hay also plays a mechanical role in dental health, as a rabbit’s teeth grow continuously throughout its life. The side-to-side chewing motion required to grind down fibrous hay wears down the molars, preventing the formation of painful spurs. Without sufficient hay, the digestive system can slow down, leading to a dangerous condition known as Gastrointestinal (GI) Stasis.
Pellets serve as a nutritional supplement, providing concentrated vitamins and minerals. For adult rabbits, pellets should be limited to a small, measured amount, such as about one-quarter cup per five pounds of body weight daily. High-quality pellets should be plain, hay-based, and should not contain seeds, dried fruit, or colored pieces, which are high in simple carbohydrates and can disrupt the delicate balance of the gut flora.
Fresh vegetables, particularly leafy greens like romaine lettuce, parsley, and cilantro, should be offered daily to provide hydration and trace nutrients. These greens help keep the intestinal contents moist, aiding passage through the gut. Foods high in sugar, such as excessive fruit or root vegetables like carrots, should be given sparingly as occasional treats. Fresh, clean water must be available at all times, preferably in a heavy ceramic bowl that is cleaned and refilled daily, as this encourages higher water intake than a sipper bottle.
Safe and Stimulating Housing
A rabbit’s living space must be designed to accommodate its natural behaviors, which include running, hopping, and standing fully upright on its hind legs. Traditional small cages sold in pet stores are often inadequate and can restrict movement, leading to health and behavioral problems. A minimum enclosure size of at least 8 to 12 square feet is recommended for a single rabbit.
Indoor housing is generally preferred for safety, temperature regulation, and socialization. Rabbits are susceptible to overheating because they do not sweat, so their environment should ideally remain between 60 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit. The enclosure floor should be solid, as wire bottoms can cause painful sores on the rabbit’s hocks and feet.
Appropriate bedding materials include paper-based products or hay placed in a designated litter box. Rabbits are naturally clean animals and can be litter trained relatively easily by placing the litter box in the corner they naturally choose for toileting. The living area must be thoroughly rabbit-proofed, which involves covering or removing electrical wires and ensuring no toxic houseplants are within reach, as chewing is an innate behavior.
Preventative Health and Grooming
Maintaining a rabbit’s health requires proactive care and regular monitoring, as they are prey animals that instinctively hide signs of illness. Finding a veterinarian with experience treating exotic mammals is a necessary step for proper medical care. Rabbit physiology and their tolerance for certain medications differ significantly from cats and dogs, making specialized knowledge important for safe treatment.
Annual check-ups are important for monitoring overall health and catching issues early. Spaying or neutering is a procedure that significantly improves a rabbit’s long-term health and behavior. Unspayed female rabbits, in particular, have an extremely high risk, up to 85%, of developing uterine cancer by the age of five, a risk that is virtually eliminated by the surgery.
Owners must be vigilant for signs of GI Stasis, a medical emergency where the digestive system slows or stops. Symptoms include a decrease or complete loss of appetite, reduced or absent fecal output, and a hunched posture indicating pain. Immediate veterinary intervention is required, often involving fluid therapy, pain relief, and nutritional support.
Grooming tasks are also important for physical maintenance, especially regular brushing to manage shedding. Rabbits are meticulous self-groomers, and ingesting too much fur during molting can contribute to blockages in the gut. Routine nail clipping is also necessary to prevent nails from growing too long, which can cause discomfort and affect their gait.
Social and Behavioral Enrichment
Rabbits are intelligent and social animals that require significant mental and physical stimulation to prevent boredom and destructive behaviors. They need several hours of supervised time outside of their main enclosure daily to engage in natural activities like running and exploring. Providing an exercise area of at least 24 square feet allows them the space to perform “binkies,” which are joyful leaps and twists.
Companionship is also a factor in their well-being, as rabbits are naturally social creatures. While a bonded pair is ideal, a single rabbit requires substantial daily interaction with its human caregivers to satisfy its social needs. This interaction helps prevent the development of stress-related behaviors.
Enrichment items and toys are necessary to redirect destructive behaviors. Safe materials for chewing include untreated wood, cardboard, and hay-based toys, which help satisfy dental needs while preventing damage to household items. Providing tunnels, cardboard boxes with cut-out holes, and straw mats allows them to hide, explore, and dig, fulfilling natural instincts.