Care tips for rabbits

CARE TIPS FOR RABBITS

Provided by TriangleRabbit.org

NUTRITION

Grass Hays: Unlimited - timothy, orchard, meadow, oat, coastal bermuda

Vegetables: One packed cup per two pounds of body weight per day, see list below

Pellets: Follow instructions on the bag, based on body weight. No seeds or treats mixed with pellets.

Treats: 1-2 pieces per day. NO seeds, cereals, or other processed human foods.

Water: Drinking from a large bowl is more natural. Rabbits drink a lot of water for their size. Large ceramic dog bowls work best and are hard to tip or throw around.

Leafy Greens I - rotate due to oxalic acid content, only one should be from this list each day: Parsley, Spinach, Mustard Greens, Beet Greens, Swiss Chard, Radish Tops

Leafy Greens 2 - low in oxalic acid: Arugula, Carrot tops, Endive, Kale (all types), Green Leaf Lettuce, Red Leaf Lettuce, Romaine Lettuce, Fennel, Spring Greens, Turnip Greens, Dandelion, Greens, Mint, Basil, Cilantro, Radicchio, Dill

Non-leafy vegetables - no more than about 15% of the diet, about 1 tbsp per 2 lbs. of body weight per day: Broccolini, Cabbage, Celery, Bell peppers, Carrots, Broccoli, Summer Squash, Zucchini Squash

HOUSING

Minimum requirements: 

  • 8 square feet for singles and small breeds. 
  • 10 square feet for pairs and large breeds. 
  • Solid flooring - no wire bottom floors. 
  • Indoors only recommended - Preferred 60-75 degrees.
  • Room to move, sleep and play.

Enclosures Options:

Exercise Pen

  • Recommended at least 35" tall.
  • Provides 16 square feet of living space.
  • Flooring should be added to protect hardwood floors and carpeting.

Dog Crate

  • Recommended extra large.
  • Provides 8-10 square feet of living space.

What to include in your enclosure

  • Litter box
  • Food and water bowls
  • Fleece blanket
  • Cardboard box for hiding and playing
  • Toys
  • Room to move and sleep

Bunny Proofing

  • Cover or block all electrical cords.
  • Under the bed and couch are favorite destruction zones.
  • Ceramic tiles to stop carpet digging in corners.
  • Wood chewing - furniture, baseboards, and even walls.
  • Shoes, clothes, remotes, books, and other items left on the floor may be chewed.
  • Many common house plants are toxic.

LITTER TRAINING

  • Rectangular cat litter boxes work great for rabbits, the bigger the better!
  • Avoid triangular litter boxes marketed for small animals.
  • Place the litter box in a corner, or multiple corners.
  • Add lots of hay to one side of the litter box or add a hay rack over the box.
  • Change litter every 1-3 days as needed. Cleaning regularly will help with smell and make your rabbit happy!
  • Use distilled white vinegar to clean litter boxes and pee accidents.
  • Litter boxes with grids are great for diggers.
  • Add two or more little boxes if your rabbit is still learning.
  • If your rabbit is urinating over the edge try a box with higher sides, but make sure your rabbit can jump in and out easily.

Safe Litter Options

  • Pelleted Pine - Feline Pine & Equine Pine, Unscented
  • Pelleted Paper - SoPhresh, Oxbow & Eco Bedding
  • Shredded Paper - Carefresh, Critter Care & Oxbow
  • Pelleted Straw - Critter Country & EcoStraw
  • Aspen Shavings
  • Newspaper
  • DO NOT USE: Pine Shavings, Cedar Shavings, Clay Litter, Wheat Litter, Corn Cob Litter, Scented Litter.

ENRICHMENT

Rabbits need 2 to 4 hours outside of the enclosure daily.

TOYS

  • Inside the enclosure provide rabbit safe items for chewing, tossing and foraging.
  • Plastic toys should only be given when supervised.
  • Monitor your rabbit when playing, make sure blankets with holes are removed, watch for toys they can get stuck around their bodies or on their head.
  • Logic toys are a fun way to work their minds and encourage foraging.
  • Sticks and branches are great for chewing; Make sure they are pesticide free and safe for rabbits; Many are available for purchase from pet stores.

EASY D.I.Y. IDEAS

  • Stuff hay in toilet paper or paper towel rolls (make sure there is very little glue on the cardboard).
  • Cut a cardboard box into a hide and destroy box (plain brown boxes, no waxy coating).
  • Stuff brown packing paper in boxes or between enclosure bars.

SAFE OUTDOOR PLAY

  • Rabbits should be closely monitored at all times while outdoors.
  • Rabbits should be protected from predators, including birds of prey.
  • It is recommended rabbits be vaccinated against RHDV2 before playing outdoors.
  • Monitor temperatures, rabbits overheat easily.
  • Warmer months bring out mites, botflies, fleas and ticks; Talk to your vet about safe preventative treatment; Many flea treatments are toxic to rabbits, always consult your vet!

BONDING RABBITS

  • Many, but not all, rabbits enjoy having a rabbit friend. Bonding rabbits can take time and patience. While rabbits are social, they can also be very territorial. It is best to research bonding techniques and seek advice from experts before starting.
  • Rabbits should both be spayed/neutered before attempting to bond.
  • Male/female and male/male bonding is usually the easiest.

HANDLING

Most rabbits do not enjoy being held or carried. As prey their instinct will be to get away.

Nail trims, vet visits, and emergencies are times when you will need to pick up your rabbit.

Sitting on the floor with a rabbit and letting them come to you is a great way to build trust. Don’t follow them if they hop away. Let them decide if they’ve had enough interaction.

Treats and positive reinforcement are a great way to build a great relationship, built on trust.

How to pick up your rabbit:

  • Place one hand under their chest.
  • The other hand will support their hind legs and back.
  • Lift swiftly and securely hold them against your body.
  • Never pick up by their ears or scruff.

Rabbits can see all around them, but there is a small blind spot in front of their nose. Most of us are used to approaching animal's noses for an introduction, but that can make some rabbits nervous. It is best to approach from overhead.

HEALTH

Grooming

  • Rabbits do NOT need baths.
  • Pet and brush your rabbit to remove excess hair.
  • Rabbits shed four times a year.
  • Rabbits have delicate skin; do not yank or pull on knots and consult your vet for extra grooming if needed.
  • Trim nails every 6-8 weeks.

Spay/Neuter

  • All rabbits should be spayed or neutered, even when living as a single rabbit.
  • Unspayed females have a high risk of uterine cancer.
  • Not all vets can spay or neuter rabbits; Look for an exotic vet in your area.
  • Spaying and neutering can solve many behavior problems and improve litter box habits.

RHDV2

  • RHDV2 is highly contagious and deadly disease that affects both wild and domestic rabbits.
  • RHDV2 is not contagious to humans or other animals, but both can transmit the virus after contact with contaminated objects, animals, insects, or feces.
  • All rabbits are a risk, even if only kept indoors.
  • The virus causes death within 3-5 days, often without symptoms.
  • Vaccination is recommended, consult your exotic vet to schedule or find a vaccine near you.

COMMON HEALTH ISSUES

  • Ear mites, fleas, and ticks
  • Diarrhea with listlessness
  • Loss of appetite
  • Labored breathing
  • Sneezing and runny nose
  • Loss of balance, rolling, or head tilt
  • Incontinence (urine-soaked rear legs)
  • Abscesses, lumps or swellings
  • GI Stasis - not eating, drinking, or pooping
  • Consult your vet at the first sign of illness

VET CARE

Young rabbits should have yearly physicals with an exotic vet.

Older rabbits or those with special needs may need more frequent checkups.

Call your vet or emergency clinic when any signs of illness are present.

Rabbits are considered exotic pets and not all vets can treat your pet rabbit. Go to trianglerabbit.org to find a list of exotic vets in your area.