House Rabbits

Advice for Keeping Rabbits in the Home

Mar 4, 2009 Graidi Taylor-Rose

Rabbits are affectionate, playful and social animals. While they are generally kept outside in hutches, they can make ideal house companions.

In the run up to Easter, rabbits are everywhere, provoking some to feel they are the perfect pet. Usually, the rabbit, together with the outdoor hutch is purchased and settled into the garden. However, rabbits can live very happily in the house.

Adopting a Bunny

It is obviously important to be careful where and from whom you adopt your rabbit. If deciding on a baby, ensure s/he is at least 8 weeks old and the mother can be seen. If taken away from the mother before that age, the bunny may not develop important intestinal bacteria which can lead to health problems later on in life.

Obviously, baby bunnies can be purchased from a pet shop if desired, but can most likely be adopted from a local animal shelter, where unexpected litters often get left.

Older rabbits are (sadly) readily available from animal shelters having become unwanted pets making them a very worthwhile option.

Equipment Needed for Indoor Bunnies

Even if being allowed to hop around the home, the bunny is going to need its own space to retreat to; therefore it is important to obtain the right cage. The right cage is large enough to house a water bottle, a food bowl and a litter tray, as well as enabling the bunny to stand up upon its hind legs.

A play area with toys and places to dig are also essential. Bunnies like to chew so toys safe for this purpose are vital; this will also help to keep their teeth in good condition. Cardboard boxes filled with newspaper can provide the ideal environment for digging, while some bunnies may like to dig in their litter tray or cage.

Playful bunnies may also like toys to throw in the air, or drag or rearrange. It is also important to play with your bunny yourself. Make some time every day to go to their level on the floor and perhaps roll a ball towards them; some will respond and attempt to roll it back!

Food for Indoor Bunnies

A balanced diet is obviously important for any animal. Combined pellets are good for bunnies as they prevent “selective feeding” where they will just eat the bits they like and leave the rest! This can be dangerous as they may not get all the essential elements they need from their food.

Hay and straw are also essential for digestive fibre and chewing. Salad vegetables and fruits are also good, but must be added to a bunny’s diet gradually. Carrots are stereotypically beloved by rabbits, but green leafy vegetables - such as lettuce and spinach - are also good, and broccoli also tends to be popular!

One very important element to mention: It is essential that both adults and children not feed chocolate to bunnies, as it can be very damaging and even cause death.

Companion Bunnies

Rabbits are very social animals and are rarely happy living as a lone pet. Male and female rabbits are easier to bond, but it important they are neutered.

If adopting from a baby, two from the same litter are ideal. However, if this is not the case, it is important not to rush the bonding process. If possible, let them meet in a neutral place; if they start fighting, this is obviously not a good match!

Love at first sight is as rare for rabbits as it is for humans, so it can take time. However, both rabbits must have their own space (which means two cages), before they feel comfortable living together and usually after.

For advice about house training a house bunny, click here.

This is a very bare bones introduction to keeping a house bunny, for more information, see the House Rabbit Society website.

The copyright of the article House Rabbits in Pet Care is owned by Graidi Taylor-Rose. Permission to republish House Rabbits in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.