A rabbit is often misunderstood by new owners who expect the same care as a dog or cat. These animals have specialized needs regarding diet, housing, and veterinary care that must be fully understood before welcoming one into a home. A rabbit is not a starter pet and requires a high level of commitment to ensure its long-term health and well-being.
Essential Diet and Feeding Needs
The foundation of a healthy rabbit diet is unlimited, high-quality grass hay, such as timothy, orchard, or brome, making up about 85% of their total food intake. Continuous access to hay is necessary because the high fiber content promotes normal gastrointestinal function. The fiber also continuously wears down their teeth, which grow constantly, and triggers contractions in the large intestine, preventing a slowdown of the digestive tract.
Fresh vegetables should constitute about 10% of the daily diet, roughly one to two cups per four pounds of body weight. Safe options include leafy greens like romaine lettuce, bok choy, and cilantro, but high-carbohydrate foods like carrots should be given sparingly. Pellets should be a small, limited portion—about 5% of the diet—and must be timothy-hay based for adult rabbits, as overfeeding can lead to obesity. Rabbits also engage in coprophagy, eating specialized night feces called cecotropes, which are rich in vitamins and nutrients produced by fermentation in the cecum.
Creating the Ideal Habitat
Indoor housing is recommended for rabbits, as outdoor hutches expose them to extreme temperatures, predators, and parasites. The living space must be significantly larger than most commercial cages, ideally a minimum of 12 square feet of living area with an attached exercise space of at least 32 square feet. The enclosure must be tall enough to allow the rabbit to stand fully upright on its hind legs without touching the top, a natural behavior for surveying their environment.
The habitat should include environmental enrichment, such as hide boxes, tunnels, and chew toys made of safe materials like hay or untreated wood, to prevent boredom. Rabbits can be successfully litter box trained using paper-based litter or hay in a designated tray, which makes house-free roaming feasible. Owners must “rabbit-proof” any free-roam areas by covering electrical cords and protecting baseboards, as rabbits instinctively chew on objects in their territory.
Health, Illness, and Veterinary Requirements
Rabbits require a specialized medical professional, often called a “rabbit-savvy” or exotic veterinarian, because their anatomy and physiology differ from common pets. Spaying or neutering is important for health and behavior, preventing uterine cancer in females and reducing hormonal aggression and territorial spraying. Dental health is a major concern; a low-fiber diet can lead to malocclusion, where the continuously growing teeth do not wear down properly, causing spurs and pain.
The most serious health emergency is Gastrointestinal (GI) Stasis, a condition where the normal movement of the gut slows or stops, often triggered by pain, stress, or an inadequate diet. Warning signs include a lack of appetite for more than a few hours, reduced or absent fecal output, and a hunched posture, all of which demand immediate veterinary care. Because rabbits are prey animals, they hide signs of illness or pain, meaning owners must be vigilant and recognize subtle changes in behavior.
Understanding Rabbit Temperament and Social Needs
As prey animals, rabbits are naturally nervous, may freeze when startled, and often dislike being held or cuddled tightly because restraint mimics capture. Proper handling requires supporting their entire body, including the hindquarters, to prevent spinal injuries if they kick out suddenly. They communicate through body language, such as the “binky,” a jump and twist that signals joy, or thumping a hind leg on the ground to indicate fear or annoyance.
Rabbits are social creatures that thrive on interaction, whether with a bonded companion or with their human family, and require daily attention to remain well-adjusted. Circling the owner’s feet is a common behavior, often indicating courtship or a desire for attention. Owning a rabbit is a long-term commitment, as their lifespan ranges from eight to twelve years, requiring consistent care for their unique physical and emotional needs.