Getting started with a rabbit

So, you've just gotten yourself a rabbit, and you're a little overwhelmed at all of the information out there. This page is an effort to provide cursory information and to link to key resources that you need in order to get off to a good start and give your bun a happy, healthy life. A good article to first look at is batclock's New Rabbit Owner Primer. If you'd rather build a physical library of useful bunny books, see Useful books on rabbits.

What do I feed my bunny?
Rabbits eat approximately 30 times per day (2 to 8 grams of food per time) over 4 to 6 minute periods.

The basic diet of an adult rabbit is a combination of hay, pellets, and vegetables. The main portion should be unlimited access to a high quality hay like Timothy hay, which is high in fiber and low in calories. Babies have other diet requirements, see Diet for details. Other grass hays like Bermuda or Orchard grass are acceptable alternatives; alfalfa hay should not be fed to adult rabbits as a main portion of their diet due to its high calcium levels.

Rabbits should always have access to clean, fresh water. They should also be regularly fed a variety of vegetables, such as dark leafy greens to provide a variety of tastes and textures as well as additional nutrients.

Pellets should be provided to supplement your rabbit's diet. While it is possible to go on a pellet-free diet, pellets serve as an easy calorie and a diverse nutrient source to insure a balanced diet with all necessary minerals and vitamins.

On occasion, you may also choose to give your rabbit treats. Many pet stores carry treats marketed for rabbits, but pellets, fruits, herbs, and naturally sugar-loaded vegetables often make better and healthier treats.

Where should my bunny live?
A variety of housing options exist for rabbits, including cages, enclosures (i.e. x-pens), and free range. In all cases, the area housing your rabbit should be large enough for your rabbit to comfortably stretch out, hop around in, and to periscope his surroundings on his hind legs. Rabbits are also easily litter trained in many cases, so the enclosure should include at least one litter box.

If your rabbit is not free-range, it will need at least four hours of exercise every day where he can run and hop freely. Make sure you bunny-proof any location that your rabbit is able to access and supervise to make sure he isn't eating anything he isn't supposed to.

How do I play with my rabbit?
There are many activities that you can do with a rabbit to keep him entertained and non-destructive. Take a look at our Toys and games article for ideas. Rabbits can also be clicker trained like cats and dogs to do tricks.

What about medical care in my area?
Not all veterinarians are equal. Many veterinarian clinics will specialize in dogs and cats but may not staff a veterinarian who is knowledgeable about rabbits. It is important that before you bring your rabbit home that you have a good rabbit veterinarian picked out. Many times, local rabbit rescues or House Rabbit Society chapters will list area veterinarians who specialize in rabbits. We suggest that you take your new rabbit to a rabbit-savvy vet ASAP to get a clean bill of health as well as start to build a relationship in the case of a medical emergency. You can find out more about rabbit savvy vets at our article Choosing a rabbit veterinarian.

Be forewarned that you should always have money saved up or apply for CareCredit to help with regular and emergency medical care. Ask around for prices for typical procedures and problems and be prepared to fork up the money to save your bun. Typical costs for one vet visit can range from US$40 to over US$300. Please understand that there usually is no replacement for proper medical care and consider the comparatively higher cost of a rabbit's medical care to a cat or a dog before getting one as a pet.

However, in the case that you are unable to obtain enough money due to extenuating circumstances, can provide a proof of income, and are still willing to take your pet to the veterinarian, explain your financial situation to the vets that you contact and see if you can mutually work something out. Otherwise, contact local shelters and rescues to see if they can help subsidize your bill or direct you to a fund that will. See more resources in the Financial assistance section of our vet article.

If you live in certain areas like Australia and the UK, you will need to get your rabbit vaccinated against certain fatal diseases common in the area. In Australia, your pet rabbit should be vaccinated for VHD at 10-12 weeks of age. This vaccination will need to be renewed every year. In the UK, your rabbit will need vaccinations for both VHD and Myxomatosis.

We also have a First aid kit for rabbits article that lists some common medical items that every bunny owner should try to have.

Rabbits as Exotics
In most countries rabbits are classified as exotics, this causes their vet care to cost more than a cat or dog.

"Continuing to designate rabbits as 'exotics' is part of the problem. Rabbits are on a level with dogs and cats, not only in terms of popularity, but also regarding an overpopulation crisis and abandonment, not to mention the welfare and environmental issues that come as a result. Rabbits are unique in being food animals, as well as pets, an additional reason to bring them into the core curriculum from either of these angles—or both. Would this undermine the status of exotics-trained veterinarians? Hardly. The number and distribution of veterinarians trained to treat exotics is not nearly sufficient to meet the demand of rabbit owners, a vast number of whom do not live anywhere near such a veterinarian and do not have access to this type of care."

How do I travel with my pet?
Traveling with a rabbit can be tricky. Rabbits are easily stressed, and traveling with one can take more planning than traveling with a cat or dog. For most trips to a veterinarian, you will only need to transport your rabbit in a carrier. For longer road trips, it is advisable to also pack enough food and water for the duration of the trip, a cage or other enclosure, and a litter box and accessories. Additionally, you should also pack some first aid for GI treatment in case your rabbit becomes unexpectedly ill.

Why does my rabbit ____?
Bunnies can be peculiar pets and are full of little quirks. Answers to many common behavioral questions can be found in the Behavior FAQ. See Understanding your rabbit for common rabbit language and behavior problems that may arise. See Personalities for common rabbit personalities.

Any other concerns?
Remember to keep up with grooming your rabbit regularly to brush his fur and trim his nails.

Spay or neuter your rabbit when he is old enough! It is especially important if you have obtained two or more unfixed rabbits. Keep your rabbits separate until they are fixed because rabbits can be easily mis-sexed by an inexperienced handler. Rabbits can be sexually mature as early as 10 weeks. They can get each other pregnant upon a successful three-second mating. You may easily obtain an out-of-control rabbit population on your hands. Sexual maturity may also bring on territorial and aggressive tendencies, and any bonds between young rabbits may break as their scents change from hormones. Please do not intentionally breed your rabbits with the already multitudes of abandoned shelter rabbits.

If you only obtained one bunny, when it has been fixed, you may want to consider bonding your rabbit with another rabbit if you feel like you do not spend enough time to play with your pet. Rabbits are social animals and can be much happier when they have a friend.

Take a read through Veterinary emergencies to understand when a rabbit's abnormal behavior is a serious cause for concern, and the rabbit should be taken to a vet as soon as possible. Also, check out Wellness check to learn what sort of regular diagnoses you should learn to do to your rabbit.

Healthy rabbits should never need to be bathed in water. If your rabbit gets dirty, first use dry bath methods before resorting to using water to clean.

Lastly, you may find out about trancing your rabbit by laying it on its back. Read the Trancing article to understand the controversies and potential dangers of doing so.