Rabbits

I had a rabbit that I rescued from a preschool that didn’t want her anymore. I kept Amber in my backyard full-time. Amber dug tunnels in the backyard and munched on weeds.  She lived a really long time and died of old age. I wouldn’t recommend keeping a rabbit outdoors full time and I wouldn’t do this again. We got another rabbit.  We had a cage for her indoors and let her play in the backyard. One night we didn’t bring her in and she was attacked by a predator. In the future, I would make sure I brought my rabbits in at night without fail.

Cage

A single rabbit should be kept in a cage at least 2 feet by 3 feet.  The bottom of the cage should not be wired because that could hurt the rabbit's feet.  It should be tall enough that the rabbit could stand on their hind legs without brushing their ears against the top. More rabbits need more space.

Photo by Gavin Allanwood https://unsplash.com/photos/white-and-black-rabbit-on-green-grass-hcxqLJjI99E

Bedding

Rabbits kept in a cage outdoors need hay, straw, or other bedding for insulation. But indoor rabbits only need a soft floor to hop around on.  Blankets, cat beds, cardboard boxes, and mats are fine for them to lay on if you want.

Bedding is good for their litter box if you are trying to litter train them. Avoid cedar, pine, cat litter, or anything that is dusty. Aspen shavings, paper, and hay are good for their litter box.

Food and Water

You need to provide hay at all times - Timothy Hay or Orchard Grass are great. Also feed them some vegetables, especially leafy greens.  You can also buy rabbit pellets.  They need to drink plenty of water, from a dish or from a bottle.

Photo by Aswathy N https://unsplash.com/photos/brown-and-black-rabbit-on-green-grass-during-daytime-srMHHWCTvcU

Sociability, Activity, and Toys

Rabbits are very sociable. While they might not like to be picked up, they will like cuddling and being pet.  You should set aside time every day to play with and socialize with your rabbit.

They also like to be around other rabbits. Spay and neuter your rabbits so you don’t end up with lots of babies.  They will breed like, well, rabbits.

Don’t keep your rabbit confined to their cage at all times.  You can rabbit-proof your house and let them roam around.  They are going to chew things, so keep them away from furniture and electric cords. Alternatively, you can provide them with a playpen, like the ones for puppies.  They should have lots of chew toys and shelves they can hop up onto.

Size

They vary in size a lot. Small ones will grow to around 8 inches, and large ones to 20 inches.  They will weigh a couple of pounds to 20 pounds.  There are lots of different breeds of rabbits. They might have long floppy ears, lots of fur, and many different colors.

Photo by lil artsy: https://www.pexels.com/photo/cute-hairy-bunny-on-ground-in-farm-4492260/

Lifespan and Health

Pet rabbits typically live around  8 years and have been known to live up to 12 years.  Common ailments include respiratory problems, diarrhea, dental problems, and uterine tumors. If your rabbit tile their head to the side, it may mean they have an ear infection or a parasite.

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