Rabbits should not be kept in a small cage full time.They do best with plenty of room to run. They can be litterbox trained to free roam in a safe room, contained in an x-pen. Make sure they have time outside of their pen everyday in order to exercise. The pen must be big enough for them to have the essentials (litterbox, hay, toys, hide, ect.) and so that they can do normal behaviors like zooming, binkies, and sleeping comfortably.
If they are free roam, do research and make sure the room is bunny-proof. Check for any exposed cords or wires that need to be covered or tucked away. Stores sell cord protectors to help so they can’t chew them. Making sure they also have plenty of toys and cardboard will help deter them from chewing on carpet and baseboards. Wire storage cubes can be connected to block off baseboards, beds, and shelves.
Enclosures should include a hidey house (cardboard boxes work great), a litter box with hay or hay shelf, water/food bowls (ceramic or metal bowls are best), and chews such as wood blocks, apple wood sticks (take away if they chew them down too short), hay mats, and other appropriate chews. Salt licks and mineral chews are not necessary.
Watch for rabbits chewing on things such as carpet, towels, blankets, cords, dry wall and other dangerous material as these or the rabbit should then be removed to prevent foreign bodies and illness. Every rabbit is different so pay close attention to what they are interested in.
Rabbits should not be kept outside full time. It exposes them to the elements, cold/hot temps., and predators. They also should not be kept in wire bottom cages. It can cause a condition called sore hocks which results in red, painful feet.
Safe Toys
Rabbit safe chews include wood blocks, apple wood or willow sticks, hay based chews and others. Chews without artificial coloring are best and make sure it is a bunny safe wood.
Rabbits love to rip apart and chew on hay/grass mats and cardboard. They love puzzle toys such as treat balls, snuffle mats, and other food motivated games.
Toys that are NOT safe include rubber, plastic, metal, and toys that have small pieces that are not digestible. If your rabbit likes to chew fabric, make sure there are no fabric toys left unattended. The edible log toys are also not safe and rabbits have become sick from ingesting it.
Diet
–80% Hay Hay should make up most of a rabbit’s diet and they should have unlimited access to it. It provides fiber to help with digestion and can help wear down rabbits molars which are continuously growing. It should look fresh and green. Timothy or Orchard grass hay is the healthiest/best option and can be given to young and adult rabbits. Alfalfa hay should be avoided with healthy adult rabbits as it is high in calories and protein which can increase the chance of obesity and urinary issues like bladder sludge. Stay away from hays that have added treats in it as rabbits can become picky.
–5% Pellets Rabbits should have about ¼- ½ cup of pellets per day, some can have more or less depending on size and health. Usually ¼ cup of pellets per 5lbs of body weight. Too much can cause obesity and other health problems. Pellets should be plain, no added colors, seeds, nuts, or dairy.
–10% Leafy Greens Rabbits can have a few handfuls of greens a day, about 1 cup per 2lbs of body weight. This includes lettuces like romaine, green leaf, red leaf, kale, basil, and dill. Limit the amount of parsley, mustard greens, spinach, and other greens that have high levels of oxalic acid which can cause tingling of the skin and mouth as well as damage to the kidneys if overfed. Limit the amount of starchy and sugary veggies. It is important to rotate different greens to get the most nutritional value. Do not feed iceberg lettuce and celery as it has no nutritional value and can cause diarrhea. If you notice runny stool, cut back on fresh greens. Young rabbits should get a very limited amount to help decrease the chance of GI upset.
–5% Fruit and Treats Fruits make great treats for rabbits. Some rabbit friendly fruits include apples, cherries, strawberries, blueberries, and bananas. Stay away from citrus fruits although a small amount of fresh pineapple can help during shedding season. Some veggies make great treats too. This includes carrots, bell peppers, and celery. Oxbow also has many good quality commercial treats. Freeze dried fruits and veggies make great treats but are about 3 times as concentrated as fresh so keep that in mind when feeding. Only give a small amount of these as fruits and some veggies are high in sugars, about a teaspoon per 2lbs of body weight. Rabbit urine can change color depending on what they eat, so do not be alarmed if you notice an orange tint after being fed carrots and other colored fruits and veggies. Young rabbits under 6 months should not have any fruit as it can cause GI upset.
When introducing new fresh foods, give a small amount at a time for a few weeks to properly allow the GI tract to adjust. Try one new food every 3 days and watch for runny stools.
Not all commercial rabbit treats are safe- look at the ingredient list. They CANNOT have nuts, seeds, corn, or dairy.
Vet Care
–Annual Exam Rabbits need an annual or bi-annual examination by an exotic veterinarian to check things that the owner might not pick up on at home like teeth, ears, skin, body condition, ect. This helps catch any underlying issues before they become big issues.
–Annual RHDV2 Vaccine Why is this vaccine important? Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease Virus (RHDV2) is a highly contagious, fatal disease in rabbits. With cases as close as Kentucky, it is important to vaccinate. This virus works fast which can lead to death as early as a few hours after symptoms occur, there is no cure for this virus.
How can my rabbit get this virus? RHDV2 is spread through direct contact with infected rabbits through urine, feces, food, water, and surfaces. It can be spread between wild and domestic rabbits so even if your rabbit is indoor only, this virus can be carried inside on shoes/clothes and contaminated hay/produce.
What are symptoms that a rabbit might have this virus? Symptoms include fever, lethargy, loss of appetite, spasms/seizures, trouble breathing, bleeding from the nose, mouth, and eyes and sudden death.
What’s the next step in getting the RHDV2 vaccine? An exam is needed for the first vaccine and then a booster is needed 3 weeks after the initial vaccine. Side effects include slight fever, lethargy and swelling at the site which is usually resolved within 48 hours. Overall, this vaccine is very safe and effective and most patients don’t experience any side effects. They will need this vaccine on a yearly basis.
Spaying/Neutering
Rabbits can be spayed as early as 4-6 months old and neutered as early as 3-4 months old.
Spaying/neutering your rabbit will not only help prevent unwanted pregnancies, but it decreases and can eliminate some cancers. It also helps with litter box training, behavior and bonding with you and/or other rabbits.
Rabbits should NEVER be fasted because they cannot vomit and need to constantly have food moving throughout their bodies. Make sure your vet is knowledgeable about rabbits and spaying/neutering them before the procedure. It can be risky if not done right.
Make sure your rabbit is sent home with pain medication, critical care in case they don’t want to eat, and a soft e-collar or onesie if they start picking at the incision.
Rabbit Tips
Rabbits can live over 10 years, so it is important that they live healthy lives.
Look out for changes in behavior. If they stop eating, drinking, and using the litter box and it persists for more than 8-12 hours, seek veterinary help immediately. GI Stasis is a very common illness and can become deadly in a short amount of time.
Always have a package of Critical Care on hand for emergencies. (sold at your vet and Amazon)
Add unlimited hay to their litter box. They love to eat while they poop!
Bowls are better than water bottles for rabbits. Bowls are easy to clean and easier to drink large amounts from.
