Rabbits
Rabbits are wonderful companions, but they’re not for everyone. If you’ve never had a rabbit before, we encourage you to spend time on the websites below, learning more about them and whether they would be a good fit for you, your family, and your lifestyle.
Rabbits are social creatures and housing them outside where they are exposed to predators is not in their best interest. It’s lonely out there too!
Before Adopting
We also recommend fostering a rabbit first so you can experience what it’s like caring for one before you make a lifetime, 10-year commitment to adopt.
- Do your homework rabbit.org/faq.
- when you’re ready for an 8-12 year commitment, adopt from a local rescue/shelter.
- Here are some things to look at before you choose to adopt a bunny.
Rabbit Enclosures
Rabbit enclosures are more than a cage.
Rabbit enclosures serve as a designated save space for the bunny but they need to roam free or have at least 4 hrs of daily exercise time. Bunnies can be litter trained but must be spayed/neutered to accomplish this task.
Below are items needed for rabbit enclosures:
- Blankets/Fleece/Rugs – They provide cushion for the rabbit’s feet in order to prevent “sore hocks”.
- Bowls – Large ceramic water bowl/food bowls (ceramic bowls are recommended, to avoid rabbits from flipping them over).
- Hay rack – Hay can be placed in the litter for “free feeding”, but with hay racks there is less hay that goes to waste.
- Litter boxes – Medium or Large sized cat-litter pan. Pelletized Paper or Pelletized Wood-Stove Bedding can be used for the litter bedding.
- Exercise pens – for enclosure areas for rabbits to move around freely and happy (approximately 4 feet by 4 feet for a single rabbit, depending on the rabbit’ssize). Rabbits in an enclosure must have several hours of free-roaming time (indoors).
- Washable Rugs/Pee pads – if needed to protect floors.
- Hidey boxes or Cat Tunnels
- Enrichment items – toys
- Here is a guide for rabbit enclosures for you to get started.
Food/Water
- 1st or 2nd cut Timothy Hay (Oxbow or Small Pet Select). This is 80-90% of a rabbit’s diet!
- Large ceramic water bowl (instead of a bottle, which often leads to dehydration).
- Bunnies can eat a pile of hay the size of their body every day.
- A rabbits diet also consists of fresh greens (romaine lettuce, cilantro, spring mix, and other approved greens) and supplementary pellets (Oxbow, Small Pet Select, Science Selective, Sherwood).
Medical Cost
- The average spay/neuter will be approximately $400 (Happy Hops will cover the cost of this for all their adopted bunnies)
- Wellness exam, chipping, and vaccinations will be approximately $200.
- Yearly exams around $100.
Bonding Bunnies (pairing)
Pet rabbits need at least one bunny-mate to live with. Bonded rabbits, or two rabbits who are emotionally connected, help each other navigate their world – physically and emotionally.
Before introducing two rabbits, both should be spayed or neutered. Bonding is generally easier when rabbits have been sterilized.
Bonded Rabbit Benefits:
- Happy & Healthier
- Can be litter trained
Enrichment for Bunnies
Enrichment encourages positive natural behaviors while decreasing abnormal behaviors, and maximize your pet’s ability to cope with the challenges of captivity. The freedom to explore, exercise and forage as well as interact with other rabbits is vital to your pets’ health and well-being.
Here are ways to provide enrichment opportunities for your bunny:
- Chew Toys
- Other Toys – Bunnies like to toss things in the air, move things around with their teeth or push things around with their nose. (plastic key ring for babies, baby stackable cups)
- Foraging Mats
- Bunny Tunnels
First Aid
Need to Know Links
How To Links
For more information on litter training, behavior, care, etc. visit – rabbit.org/faq
