Rabbit Care Guide
Everything You Need to Know to Keep Your Rabbit Happy and Healthy
Rabbits are intelligent, active, and affectionate pets that can bring joy to many households. Whether you’re considering adopting your first rabbit or are a long-time bunny owner, this guide will help you better understand their care needs. From housing and diet to common medical issues, we’ve got you covered.
Is a Rabbit Right for You?
Rabbits typically live 6 to 10 years, though some can live even longer with proper care. They require regular, daily exercise and stimulation to maintain their physical and mental health. While they can be kept indoors, outdoors, or a combination of both, they do best when they have consistent access to a clean, safe environment and attention from their human companions.
Understanding Their Behavior and Housing Needs
Rabbits are prey animals, which means they’re naturally cautious and easily startled. Providing them with a hide box or safe retreat is important for their sense of security. When kept indoors, they can have free run of a rabbit-proofed home—be sure to cover wires, secure toxic plants, and protect furniture and baseboards from nibbling.
Multiple rabbits should each have their own space to prevent territorial disputes. Their enclosures should include soft, thick bedding and should be kept clean and dry. Avoid wire flooring, which can lead to pododermatitis (sore feet), and provide outdoor rabbits with shaded, weather-protected hutches. With consistency and patience, rabbits can even be litter box trained.
Diet: The Foundation of Good Health
A rabbit’s diet is vital to its overall well-being. These herbivores thrive on high-quality grass hay, which should make up around 80% of their daily intake. This not only aids digestion but also helps keep their continuously growing teeth in check.
Fresh leafy greens are another daily essential, but be cautious—some greens are high in calcium, which can lead to bladder stones. Fruits and sugary treats should be considered rare indulgences. A pelleted rabbit diet can supplement nutrition but should not replace hay and greens. Access to unfiltered sunlight is also beneficial for natural vitamin D production.
Common Health Issues
Like many small mammals, rabbits are susceptible to a variety of health issues. It’s important to be proactive with veterinary care and watch for changes in behavior, appetite, or droppings. Some of the most common conditions include:
- Dental disease
- Gastrointestinal (GI) stasis
- Pneumonia and upper respiratory infections (Pasteurellosis)
- Bladder stones
- Ovarian cysts
- Cancer
- Pododermatitis (sore feet)
- Conjunctivitis (eye infections)
- Neurologic disease (Encephalitozoonosis)
- Spinal fractures
Spaying and Neutering
Spaying or neutering is highly recommended for rabbits. As they age, they can develop cysts and tumors in their reproductive organs, which can shorten their lifespan. By spaying or neutering, you can eliminate many of these risks. Talk with your veterinarian to determine whether your rabbit is a good candidate for surgery, especially considering the anesthesia risks involved.
More Questions?
If you still have questions about rabbit care or you’d like to schedule your next wellness exam, please don’t hesitate to call us at (781) 737-7820 or email us at info@duxburyanimalhospital.com. We want to ensure that you and your rabbit have a happy, healthy life together.