Preparing for a rabbit: space, hay and daily life
Rabbits need room to move, unlimited grass hay, safe hiding places, enrichment and access to rabbit-experienced veterinary care.
Use this guide to notice and organize information. Contact a qualified veterinarian for medical concerns or urgent change.
Plan for movement, not just containment
Create a large, secure living area with non-slip flooring, room to stand fully upright, stretch, hop and explore, plus a sheltered resting place. Rabbit-proof cords, baseboards, plants and narrow spaces where a rabbit could become trapped.
Add a roomy litter box with rabbit-safe litter and place hay where the rabbit can eat while using it. Provide chewable enrichment, tunnels and hiding choices, and schedule daily time for movement and interaction.
Build the diet around hay
Make good-quality grass hay available at all times and provide fresh water. Use species-appropriate pellets and rabbit-safe leafy greens in amounts suited to the individual rabbit rather than treating carrots or fruit as staples.
Keep the diet consistent during the transition home. Sudden food changes can disrupt digestion, so introduce new foods gradually and monitor appetite and droppings closely.
Prepare the care team
Find a veterinarian who regularly treats rabbits before an urgent problem occurs. Discuss preventive care, spaying or neutering, dental monitoring and what the clinic considers an emergency.
Observe eating, drinking, droppings, urine, posture, activity and social behaviour every day. Eating less or producing fewer droppings is a health warning, not simply a picky mood.
Read the supporting material
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Supports hay as the dietary staple and describes the commitment, social and husbandry needs of rabbits.
Original source ↗02welfare org · BC SPCAThings you need before adopting a rabbitSupports preparing an appropriately sized litter area and safe rabbit-specific supplies before adoption.
Original source ↗