Rabbits are intelligent, affectionate, and full of charm — but they’re also often misunderstood. They’re not low-maintenance pets and need the right environment, care, and interaction to thrive.

Whether you’re adopting a fluffy bunny from a rescue or bringing home a baby rabbit, this guide will help you prepare for a happy, healthy life together.

🛒 Essentials to Buy Before Bringing a Rabbit Home

• Spacious enclosure or exercise pen, minimum 6x2ft indoor space + 8x4ft run.

• Litter tray with paper-based litter or straw. Avoid shavings due to health risk, the oils and dust in the shavings can harm them. 

• Unlimited hay, timothy, meadow and orchard grass are great choices.

• Rabbit pellets, plain, no colorful bits and a food bowl.

• Water bowls or a drip bottle.

• Safe hiding places or tunnels.

• Grooming brush

• Toys for chewing, untreated wood, cardboard, and willow.

• Rabbit-safe playpen or bunny-proofed room.

• Carrier for vet visits

• Blanket or soft bedding

🛖 Housing & Environment

• Rabbits need lots of space — hutches alone are not enough

• Indoor setups are ideal, or a secure outdoor run with weather protection

• Enclosures should allow your rabbit to hop at least 3 times in a row

• Keep the environment bunny-proof: hide wires, remove toxic plants such as Ivy & Iris.

🥬 Diet Basics

A rabbit’s diet is key to their health:

• 85% hay – supports digestion and dental health.

• 10% leafy greens – kale, romaine, parsley (introduce slowly).

• 5% pellets – 1 egg cup per day for an average rabbit

• Occasional treats: apple slices, carrot tops (in small amounts)

• Always have access to fresh water

🔴 Avoid iceberg lettuce, beans, sugary treats, or pet store mixes with seeds.

🚽 Toilet Training

• Most rabbits can be litter trained. Place litter trays in corners where they naturally go.

• Use hay in or next to the litter tray (they like to eat while they go)

• Clean daily and use rabbit-safe litter (no clumping/clay)

⚽ Exercise & Enrichment

Rabbits are active and need daily mental and physical stimulation:

• Minimum 4 hours of exercise time outside the enclosure

• Cardboard castles, tunnels, paper bags, dig boxes

• Chew toys and foraging toys to prevent boredom

• Rotate items and rearrange space for novelty

• Hide treats for natural foraging behaviour

🧼 Grooming & Hygiene

• Brush weekly (daily for long-haired breeds)

• Check and trim nails regularly

• Keep bottoms clean and dry — monitor for “poopy butt”

• Watch for signs of flystrike in warmer months

• Never bathe your rabbit — it’s stressful and unsafe

🩺 Health & Vet Care

• Register with a rabbit-savvy vet

• Vaccinations (UK): RHD1, RHD2, and Myxomatosis (yearly)

• Neuter/spay your rabbit to reduce health risks and improve behaviour

• Monitor teeth and appetite — dental problems are common, most rabbits require their teeth to be filed, but don't worry your vet will do this. We do not recommend anyone do this at home. 

• Signs of illness: hiding, not eating, unusual droppings, lethargy

🐇 Social & Emotional Needs

• Rabbits are social and thrive in pairs — consider adopting a bonded pair

• If solo, they’ll need lots of daily human interaction.

• Don’t pick up unless necessary — sit at their level and let them come to you.

• Learn bunny body language: flops, binkies, and thumps say a lot!

💞 Final Thoughts

Rabbits are intelligent, sensitive companions that deserve space, enrichment, and understanding. With the right care and attention, you’ll have a joyful, loving bond that can last 8–12 years (or more!).

✨ Check out our other blogs on rabbits covering these topics in more detail 🖥️