Rabbit
Species Summary
Rabbits are very sweet pets to own. They are quiet and clean, often able to be litter box trained, and most are able to be very affectionate. Rabbits live from around 8-12 years of age so are not a short term commitment.
Please do further research than this page, as this is just to give a general idea of the type of care that rabbits require. We have linked further resources at the bottom of the page, however there are plenty more trusted sites that will give even more information about these guys.
Housing
Rabbits require a minimum floor space of 300cm x 200cm / 120” x 80” / 10ft x 6ft - or equivalent
Tall enough to allow rabbits to stand on hind legs (minimum 60cm / 2ft high)
Continuous floor space (all one level, shelves etc do not count towards main space)
Mesh spacing small enough not to risk head getting stuck
Can be outdoors all year with a sheltered area (minimum 200cm / 6ft long)
If outdoors, must be predator-proof (fine wire can be bitten through by foxes etc)
Enclosure Ideas: Secure room, Panelled puppy pen, Shed, Wendy house
Information Sources: RWAF (Rabbit Welfare Association and Fund)
Providing a Home for a Rabbit - All Other Pets - MSD Veterinary Manual
Housing | Rabbit Welfare Association & Fund (RWAF)
Above images from RWAF
Diet
Rabbits have relatively strict dietary requirements and their diet should consists of a mix of grass and hay, high quality pellets and occasional dark leafy greens. As according to the RWAF "A rabbit’s diet should be made up of:
85% hay or grass
10% leafy green veg
5% extruded pellets or nuggets (15g per kg bodyweight)"
Good brands of rabbit food involve Science Selective and Burgess Excel.
High quality hay should always be available for them to chew on to help prevent dental problems with their ever-growing teeth.
Treats should be limited as rabbits have sensitive stomachs and it can cause digestive upset and too many sugary sweets can actually be fatal.
Diet | Rabbit Welfare Association & Fund (RWAF)
What to feed your rabbits - diet guide including hay, veg and safe foods | Woodgreen Pets Charity
Companionship
Rabbits must never be kept alone as they are highly sociable animals. Rabbits must be kept in at least pairs and must be neutered whether or not they are going to live in same sex pairs due to behaviour.
Health
Rabbits should be vaccinated every year to protect them from RVHD and Myxomatosis.
Read more about these diseases here - Rabbit Vaccinations Guide: Myxomatosis & RVHD | RWAF
Rabbits hide any illnesses on instinct so reading up on the warning signs to help identify any health issues before they worsen is crucial. Dental issues are common with rabbits but the best way to prevent against these are proper, controlled diet.
Handling and Socialisation
Rabbits need patience to get used to handling and like all other animals the more comfortable with handling the easier vet visits will be. Rabbits are very fragile so must be held with care and security. Rabbits should never be held on their backs as it is very scary for your rabbit.
How to Handle Pet Rabbits Safely and Calmly | RWAF
For information of introducing rabbits to each other please take a read of the link below-