Caring for a Pet Rabbit

By Karen Geissert, D.V.M., Acton Animal Hospital

More people are finding that rabbits can be rewarding and fun pets. They can be housed in a modest living space, litter trained, and do not require as much attention or training as a dog.

Rabbits need a housing structure with a private place to rest, an area for elimination, and a clean place for the food and water. The space should be large enough for the rabbit to move around and get some exercise. Bedding such as non-cedar wood chips or straw provides a soft surface inside the structure. Some experts recommend a wire surface so that rabbit droppings can fall through to a collection pan mounted underneath. You can also train your rabbit to eliminate in a litter pan that has a low side(s) filled with cat litter or wood chips. The droppings should be cleaned daily from the enclosure.

Rabbits need a high dietary fiber content. Timothy hay generally provides 18–22% fiber and is the best choice for pet rabbits. Although the hay is the main staple of the diet, it can be supplemented with a small amount of alfalfa pellets and a variety of vegetables in small quantities such as pieces of kale, several baby carrots, a slice of apple, a leaf of Romaine or Bibb lettuce, or a small piece of cabbage. Rabbits can drink from a water bowl or a hanging water bottle. Treats with sugar or carbohydrates are not good for rabbits because they can cause a condition where pathogenic bacteria overpopulate the intestine and cause poisonous toxins. To keep their teeth from overgrowing, rabbits need branches of aspen, willow or apple trees to chew on regularly.

Rabbits need to be brushed with a soft brush or combed gently daily to remove loose excess hair. Nails need to be trimmed on a regular basis so that they do not break off and bleed. If a wire floor is used in the housing pen, it is especially important to keep the nails cut short so that the rabbit can walk over the wire surface easily.

Rabbits enjoy gentle handling and need to be supported in order for them to feel secure when held. They are curious and like to explore their environment. Giving your pet rabbit some freedom to explore in your house provides exercise and mental stimulation, but watch for hazards such as electrical cords, open stairs, poisonous plants, non-edible things that could be ingested, or other pets that might injure him. Some owners like to use a rabbit halter to take their pet outside in the yard for some fresh air. 

Once you adopt a rabbit, take it to your veterinarian for regular checkups to keep it healthy.

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