Rabbit Allies of CT

Rabbit Care Information

Rabbits live 10 to 15 years and can be a wonderful pet. Bunnies are very social and love to be around their people. Rabbits are also wonderful pets for working people; they sleep during the day and do not need to be walked, although like any pet, they want and need your daily attention.

Bunnies are safest and happiest living indoors with you and your family. Rabbits do not always make the best pet for children; statistics show that most children lose interest after the first year or two. Please note that we will not place our rabbits with you if you are planning on keeping them in an outdoor hutch or if you intend to give them to a child. All of our bunnies have already gone through being dumped once. We don't want them to have to repeat the experience.

Unfortunately, many people surrender their rabbits to shelters because they do not know that simple behavior modifications will usually mitigate "unwanted" behaviors, such as chewing or biting. It is a sad fact that shelters are overwhelmed with unwanted animals, and your rabbit will probably end up being euthanized if you bring it there.

Here are some additional things to know about rabbits that will help you and your new pet.

Rabbits generally prefer to relax with you by lying on the floor near you. There is nothing like having a snuggle bun next to you while you watch TV. But every bunny is different, and some will like to snuggle next to you while others prefer to keep their distance. As a prey animal, most rabbits do not like to be picked up or to be cuddled. You can learn about your bunny by clicking on these sites:

Rabbits are strict herbivores and you need to pay attention to their diet. A couple of things to keep in mind: rabbits need quality grass hay, vegetables, and plain pellets (no seeds, nuts, or dried fruit). Be sure to introduce any new food gradually. Fresh water should always be available in a crock or water bottle. Rabbits have a sweet tooth and enjoy fruit, but only in very limited quantities and not even every day.

Babies less than 1 year should have unlimited alfalfa hay and alfalfa pellets. As your bunny gets closer to 1 year, start to limit the amount of pellets and reduce and finally limit alfalfa hay (feed a grass hay like timothy or orchard grass instead). These links have wonderful information on what and how much to feed your bunny:

House rabbits have come a long way from the days when they were confined to a cage. Now there are many options for housing that will allow your bunny space and privacy at the same time offering your bunny the safety and security of his own home.

If you need to keep your bunny in an enclosed area while you are away from the home, an exercise pen (x-pen) or a baby gate would be your best choice. X-pens are a series of eight 2 foot wide wire panels that come in several different heights (we suggest 30" or 36"), which can be set up in 4'x4' squares, rectangles - or other ways - to fit where you need them! Baby gates can be used to close off one room, such as a kitchen or Bunny Room, while you are out.
The space should be large enough to contain a litter box big enough for bunny to lie down in filled with bunny-safe litter, food and water containers; toys - and perhaps a box for bunny to hide in and chew upon. Industrial, indoor/outdoor and “office” carpet (low weaves that bunny cannot chew, NO astro-turf) make great pen bottoms.
Here are some good links that will give you plenty of housing ideas:

Rabbit References: Care, Feeding, Tips - Housing
Guinea Pig and Rabbit Cages from "Neat Ideas Cubes" panels
Guinea Pig Cages - can be adapted for rabbits

Rabbits can be litter box trained. Set up the litter box with newspaper or a natural litter such as recycled newsprint or cardboard (such as Yesterday's News or Care fresh; wood stove pellets can also be used), add plenty of hay to the litter box, and clean daily. Bunnies are very neat and will naturally want to use the litter box, but they will also want to pick their spot. PINE and CEDAR litter can be FATAL, as can regular sand and clay litter meant for cats! This link has many articles that will help you in setting up the litter box and training your rabbit.
Rabbit proofing your house:

Bunnies do not have fingers with which to explore, so they use their ... TEETH. Make sure that all furniture where bunny plays is okay for bunny to climb upon, because she will certainly do so! If you don't want bunny in certain rooms, close doors or use other barricades (baby gates). If you do not want bunny getting into certain areas (behind stereos, squeezed between the couch and the wall) block off the space.
Rabbits need a minimum of 4 hours of daily exercise time outside of their cages and will love having you as their companion. You will also enjoy watching their antics.
Before you let your bunny out to explore, be sure you rabbit proof the space. This link has plenty of helpful tips.

Rabbits do not need vaccinations, but they should have regular visits to rabbit savvy veterinarians. You will need to know your pet’s habits well, as signs of illness are often subtle. Check these important links for more information on selecting a vet and signs of illness:

Rabbits should never be fasted and it is a serious matter when a rabbit stops eating. If your rabbit hasn’t eaten or pooped in 12 hours, it could be a sign that your bunny is in gastrointestinal (GI) stasis. This important article should be printed off and kept handy for reference at all times.
Your rabbit must be spayed or neutered - it will improve his health, behavior, and lifespan, not to mention avoiding unwanted litters. It is important to select a rabbit savvy vet. This link has a lot of helpful information about why to spay/neuter your pet as well as pre- and post-op care pointers.
NEVER shout at a bunny or hit/spank it. This serves only to frighten the bunny and it is NOT the way they learn. Removing bunny from a naughty situation (perhaps even putting her back in her pen/room), or redirecting her energies in a quiet, firm voice is the way to teach!
Rabbits (or their hay) can aggravate a family member’s allergies. If someone in the household suffers from allergies, you should consult an allergist before bringing a rabbit into the home.
Rabbits need daily care. If you will be away from home, you will need to arrange for someone to care for your rabbit in your absence.
Most importantly – bunnies are wonderfully complex, intelligent, social animals that will enrich your life. To learn more about your rabbit, these websites have great information:

House Rabbit Society - Also check chapter websites as top rabbit professionals advise chapters in their cities.
Rabbit References
Medi Rabbit
Diet info: Carrot Café
Rabbit Care - VeterinaryPartner.com
The Language of Lagomorphs
H.A.R.E. - House Rabbit Adoption, Rescue, and Education

Finally, you may want to purchase some books to keep on hand. We recommend:
- House Rabbit Handbook by Marinell Harriman, Drollery Press
- Rabbit Health in the 21st Century, 2nd Edition: A Guide for Bunny Parents by Kathy Smith. A book about rabbit health from a caretaker's perspective, written for people with little or no medical or veterinary background.

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