Rabbits are intelligent, social animals that can live for 8 to 12 years, sometimes longer. They are often thought of as easy starter pets, but they have specific needs for space, diet and company.
At a glance
| Lifespan | 8–12 years |
| Social needs | Happiest in pairs or small groups; neutered pairs are ideal |
| Diet | Mostly hay, plus leafy greens and a small amount of pellets |
| Activity | Most active at dawn and dusk; need daily exercise |
Housing
A small hutch or cage is not enough. Rabbits need room to hop, stretch out fully, stand up on their back legs and run. Many welfare organizations recommend an enclosure or pen that allows several consecutive hops, with constant access to a larger exercise area.
- Provide a hiding place for each rabbit, such as a box with two exits.
- Use soft, solid flooring; wire floors can hurt their feet.
- Keep indoor rabbits away from direct heat and drafts. Rabbits handle heat poorly and can suffer heatstroke above about 25 °C (77 °F).
- Rabbit-proof the room. Rabbits chew, and electrical cables are a serious hazard.
Diet
The rabbit digestive system and ever-growing teeth depend on fiber.
- Hay: about 80% of the diet. Unlimited, fresh grass hay (such as timothy or meadow hay) should be available at all times. Chewing hay wears down the teeth and keeps the gut moving.
- Leafy greens: a daily portion of fresh, washed greens such as romaine lettuce, herbs (parsley, coriander, basil), and dark leafy greens, introduced gradually.
- Pellets: a small measured amount of plain, high-fiber pellets. Muesli-style mixes encourage selective eating and are linked to dental and digestive problems.
- Treats: fruit and carrots are sugary and should be only occasional, small treats.
- Fresh water in a bowl or bottle, changed daily.
Avoid iceberg lettuce, bread, crackers, chocolate, avocado and houseplants.
Health warning signs
A rabbit that stops eating or stops producing droppings for even 12 hours needs a vet urgently. This can signal gut stasis, a potentially fatal slowdown of the digestive system.
Other signs to watch for:
- Drooling, weight loss or dropping food (dental problems)
- Soft, sticky droppings stuck to the fur, which in warm weather attract flies (flystrike)
- Head tilt, loss of balance
- Breathing noises or discharge from the eyes or nose
- Sitting hunched and reluctant to move
Find a veterinarian experienced with rabbits before you need one; not all clinics treat them. Ask about vaccinations recommended in your region and about neutering, which reduces certain cancers in females and makes pairs easier to keep together.
Common mistakes
- Keeping a single rabbit alone in a small hutch
- Feeding mostly pellets or muesli instead of hay
- Picking rabbits up often; many dislike being lifted, and a fall or kick can injure the spine
- Assuming rabbits are low-maintenance pets for young children
Sources
- RSPCA and PDSA rabbit care guidance
- House Rabbit Society care information