Rabbits are cute, quiet, and smart pets. They can be great companions when cared for the right way. This simple care sheet helps both new and old rabbit owners. It shows you how to give your furry friend the best life. Are you getting your first rabbit? Or do you want to care for your bunny better? This guide has everything you need to know.
Caring for a pet rabbit is fun and needs daily work. Rabbits are smart and social pets. They can live 8-12 years with good care. They need daily love, good food, safe homes, and vet visits. This easy guide will help you learn all about rabbit care. You will learn how to set up the perfect home and keep your bunny healthy and happy.
Rabbit Supply Checklist
Get these items before you bring your new rabbit home:
Home Basics:
- Big rabbit cage (at least 4ft x 2ft x 2ft)
- Litter box with safe litter
- Water bottle or heavy bowl
- Food bowl (ceramic or steel)
- Hay rack for hay
- Hiding house or tunnel
Comfort Items:
- Soft blankets or towels
- Chew toys (apple wood, willow, or cardboard)
- Brush for grooming
- Nail clippers
- Play pen for exercise
Food and Health:
- Good rabbit pellets
- Timothy hay (lots of it)
- Fresh veggies
- Healthy treats (not too many)
- First aid kit
Tip: Have everything ready before bringing your bunny home.
How To Care for a Rabbit
Good rabbit care means knowing what they need. You must give them care every day. Rabbits are prey animals. They need different things than dogs or cats. They need good food, safe homes, friends, and fun things to do.
Daily rabbit care starts with fresh hay, pellets, and water. Check that your rabbit eats, drinks, and poops normally. Rabbits need lots of timothy hay. Hay helps their tummies and teeth. Give fresh veggies daily. But add new veggies slowly so their tummies don’t get upset.
Time with you is very important. Spend time with your rabbit every day. Pet them gently, play with them, or just sit close by. Rabbits are social pets. They love their owners. They talk with their bodies. Learn what your rabbit is saying to give better care.
Exercise and fun prevent boredom and bad habits. Rabbits need hours of safe exercise outside their cage daily. Give them safe chew toys, tunnels, and platforms. This keeps their minds busy. A bored rabbit may destroy things or get sick. Fun activities help them stay healthy and happy.
For beginners who ask how do you take care of a bunny for beginners, start simple. Focus on food, clean home, and daily time together. As you learn more about your rabbit, you can do more fun activities and special care.
The most important thing is doing the same things every day. Rabbits like routines and get upset when things change too much. This bunny care sheet for beginners helps you build good habits that work for years.
Taking care of a rabbit is simple once you learn the basics. Here’s how:
1. Feed a Healthy Diet
Rabbits need a balanced diet to stay healthy.
- 80% Hay – Fresh Timothy hay should always be available
- Fresh Greens – Offer 1–2 cups daily (e.g., cilantro, romaine)
- Pellets – Feed 1/4 cup per 5 lbs. of body weight
- Water – Always give clean water in a bowl or bottle
Avoid sugary fruits, iceberg lettuce, and human snacks.
| Age Group | Pellets (per 6 lbs body weight) | Hay | Vegetables | Treats |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0-6 months | 1/2 cup daily | Unlimited alfalfa | None | None |
| 6-12 months | 1/2 cup daily | Unlimited timothy | Introduce gradually | Limited |
| 1-6 years | 1/4 cup daily | Unlimited timothy | 2-3 cups daily | 1-2 tbsp daily |
| 6+ years | 1/4-1/2 cup daily | Unlimited timothy | 2-3 cups daily | Limited |
2. Set Up a Safe Home
Your bunny needs a space to feel safe and relax.
- Use a large indoor pen or dog crate
- Add a litter box with rabbit-safe litter
- Line the floor with fleece or a rug
- Include hiding spots, chew toys, and a hay feeder
- Place the pen in a quiet area with no drafts
Rabbit-proof the room. Cover wires and block off unsafe areas.
3. Give Daily Love and Playtime
Rabbits are social animals. They love to play and spend time with you.
- Sit with them and pet gently (on the head or cheeks)
- Let them roam in a safe area for 3–5 hours
- Offer toys to chew and toss
- Talk to them in a calm voice
Spending time builds trust and keeps them happy.
4. Keep Things Clean and Check Health Often
A clean space and regular checks help your bunny live longer.
- Clean the litter box every day
- Brush your rabbit once a week (daily for long-haired types)
- Trim nails every 4–6 weeks
- Look for signs of sickness: drooling, no eating, or quiet behavior
Take your bunny to a rabbit-savvy vet once a year.
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Rabbit Housing
Good housing is the base of rabbit care. Your rabbit’s home should be big, safe, and comfy. The cage should be big enough for your rabbit to stand up, stretch out, and hop around. Tall cages give extra space and fun.
Housing Must-Haves:
- Solid bottom (wire floors hurt feet)
- Good air flow but no drafts
- Easy to clean
- Safe locks to stop escapes
- Quiet spot away from loud sounds
Rabbit Socialization
Rabbits are social animals. They need time with people and other rabbits. Good social time helps stop bad habits. It keeps your rabbit friendly and easy to handle.
Social Tips:
- Handle your rabbit gently and often
- Talk softly and move slowly
- Respect your rabbit’s space
- Let new people meet your rabbit slowly
- Think about getting two rabbits together
Rabbit Exercise and Mental Stimulation
| What | Setup Tips | Daily Needs | Don’t Do This |
|---|---|---|---|
| Exercise Space | Make a safe room or big play pen | At least 3-4 hours of safe exercise | Keep rabbit in cage all day |
| Mind Games | Add tunnels, platforms, and hiding spots | Change toys weekly | Use only one type of toy |
| Friend Time | Set aside quiet bonding time daily | 30-60 minutes of direct time together | Force time when rabbit is scared |
| Exploring | Set up safe obstacle courses | Let rabbit explore new areas safely | Let rabbit go to dangerous places alone |
Rabbit Grooming
Regular grooming keeps your rabbit healthy and happy. Rabbits clean themselves, but they need help with brushing, nail cuts, and health checks.
Grooming Basics:
- Brush 2-3 times per week (daily when shedding)
- Check ears weekly for wax or bugs
- Trim nails every 4-6 weeks
- Check teeth often for overgrowth
- Look for lumps, bumps, or skin problems
| Grooming Tool | Frequency | Average Cost | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Slicker Brush | 2-3 times weekly | $15-25 | Long-haired breeds |
| Rubber Brush | Daily during shedding | $10-15 | Short-haired breeds |
| Nail Clippers | Every 4-6 weeks | $8-12 | All rabbits |
| Flea Comb | Weekly inspection | $6-10 | Parasite detection |
| Dematting Tool | As needed | $20-30 | Severely matted fur |
Nail Clipping
Nail trimming keeps your rabbit safe and healthy. Long nails can get stuck in carpet or bedding. This can hurt your rabbit. Trim nails every 4-6 weeks with proper rabbit nail clippers.
Nail Trimming Steps:
- Hold rabbit gently but firmly
- Stretch each paw carefully
- Cut only the white tip, not the pink part
- Give treats and praise
- If you cut the pink part, use styptic powder
Rabbit Veterinary Care
Regular vet care keeps your rabbit healthy. Find a vet who knows rabbits well. Rabbits have special medical needs that are different from other pets.
Schedule a first wellness exam within the first week of bringing your rabbit home. Yearly checkups help find health problems early and make sure your rabbit gets the right shots and preventive care. Talk about spaying or neutering options. These procedures can greatly improve your rabbit’s health and behavior.
Vet Care Schedule:
- Yearly wellness exams
- Spay/neuter surgery (we recommend this)
- Dental checks every 6 months
- Quick care for any health worries
- Shots if your vet says you need them
Signs of a Healthy Rabbit
A healthy rabbit acts and looks a certain way. Learning these signs helps you watch your rabbit’s health. You can catch problems early.
Healthy Rabbit Signs:
- Bright, alert eyes
- Clean nose and ears
- Smooth, shiny fur
- Normal eating and drinking
- Regular poops (round, firm pellets)
- Active and playful
- Good posture and movement
How to set up an indoor enclosure
Setting up the perfect indoor home needs careful planning. Think about what your rabbit needs. The home should be big, safe, and fun.
Setup Steps:
- Pick a quiet spot with good air flow
- Make sure it’s big enough (at least 4ft x 2ft x 2ft)
- Use solid floor with soft bedding
- Add hiding spots and high areas
- Put food and water away from the litter box
- Add safe toys and chew items
How to litter train your rabbit
Litter training makes rabbit care much easier. It lets your rabbit have more house freedom. Most rabbits can learn to use a litter box. It takes patience and consistency.
Litter Training Steps:
- Pick rabbit-safe litter (paper-based or wood pellets)
- Put litter box in rabbit’s favorite corner
- Put some droppings in the box to encourage use
- Give treats when rabbit uses box correctly
- Clean accidents without being mean
- Be patient – training takes 2-4 weeks
Setting Up Your Habitat
Making the ideal home is more than just putting down a cage. Think about how rabbits act in nature. Design their space around their needs.
Habitat Must-Haves:
- Multiple levels for climbing and jumping
- Cozy hiding spots for safety
- Open areas for hopping and playing
- Easy access to food, water, and litter box
- Safe materials that won’t hurt if chewed
Exercise Space
Rabbits need space to run, jump, and explore. An exercise area should be at least 8 feet long. Make it safe for rabbits.
Exercise Area Needs:
- At least 32 square feet of space
- Smooth, non-slip floor
- Barriers to stop escapes
- Remove dangerous items
- Watch your rabbit during exercise time
How to pet your rabbit
Good petting helps build trust. It makes your bond with your rabbit stronger. Rabbits have sensitive areas. They have preferences for touch.
Petting Tips:
- Start with gentle head strokes
- Pet behind the ears and forehead
- Don’t touch the belly or back end at first
- Let your rabbit come to you first
- Stop if your rabbit shows stress
Creating the right home for your rabbit
A rabbit-friendly home needs changes to keep them safe and happy. Rabbit-proofing is a must for house rabbits.
Home Prep:
- Remove or protect electrical cords
- Block access to small spaces
- Secure toxic plants and chemicals
- Provide multiple water sources
- Create quiet retreat areas
Children and rabbits
Rabbits can be great pets for families with kids. You need proper watching and teaching. Teaching kids how to interact safely with rabbits is very important.
Child-Rabbit Rules:
- Always watch young children with rabbits
- Teach gentle handling
- Explain rabbit body language and stress signs
- Let children help with daily care
- Set clear rules about rabbit handling
Cover rugs and baseboards
Protect your home from rabbit damage. Keep your rabbit safe too. This needs smart covering of areas that can get damaged.
Protection Ways:
- Use clear plastic on baseboards
- Cover good rugs with washable ones
- Give proper chew toys instead
- Block access to furniture legs
- Use bitter apple spray to stop chewing
Spay or neuter your rabbit
Spaying or neutering is good for pet rabbits. It prevents health problems and bad behaviors. A vet who knows rabbits should do this surgery.
Benefits of Spaying/Neutering:
- Reduces risk of cancer
- Decreases territorial marking
- Improves litter box habits
- Reduces aggressive behaviors
- Allows for easier bonding with other rabbits
Keep dangerous objects out of reach
Rabbit-proofing means finding and removing dangers from your rabbit’s space.
Common Dangers:
- Electrical cords and wires
- Toxic plants (lilies, azaleas, tulips)
- Small objects that could be swallowed
- Chemicals and cleaning supplies
- Sharp objects or tools
What is a healthy food diet for pet rabbits?
A proper rabbit diet has hay, pellets, fresh veggies, and some treats. The base of a healthy diet is unlimited timothy hay.
Daily Diet Rules:
- Unlimited timothy hay (85% of diet)
- 1/4 cup pellets per 5 lbs body weight
- 2-3 cups fresh vegetables per 6 lbs body weight
- Fresh water available all the time
- Healthy treats in small amounts (1-2 tablespoons daily)
Safe Vegetables:
- Leafy greens (romaine, kale, cilantro)
- Bell peppers
- Carrots (not too many)
- Broccoli
- Cucumber
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the care routine for a rabbit?
A daily rabbit care routine includes fresh hay, pellets, and water. Clean the litter box. Give fresh veggies. Let them exercise safely. Spend quality time with your rabbit. Weekly tasks include deep cage cleaning, grooming, and health checks.
How do you take care of a bunny for beginners?
Beginners should start with basics. Give a big cage, unlimited timothy hay, quality pellets, fresh water, and a clean litter box. Spend time daily with your rabbit. Make your home safe for rabbits. Find a vet who knows rabbits. Start slowly and learn your rabbit’s personality and needs.
Can I leave my rabbit alone for 2 days?
Rabbits should not be left alone for more than 24 hours. They need daily care, fresh food and water, social time, and health watching. If you must travel, get a good pet sitter or boarding place that knows rabbits.
What supplies do I need to take care of a bunny?
You need a large cage or exercise pen, litter box with rabbit-safe litter, food and water bowls, unlimited timothy hay, quality pellets, grooming supplies, nail clippers, safe chew toys, and a first aid kit. Extra items like tunnels, platforms, and hiding spots provide fun.
How often should I clean my rabbit’s cage?
Clean the litter box daily or every other day. This depends on how much your rabbit uses it. Do a deep cage cleaning weekly. This includes washing food and water bowls, replacing bedding, and cleaning surfaces. Clean any messes right away to keep things healthy.
Download the free Bunny Care Sheet
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