Small Animal Care Series
The British Columbia Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
Thinking of adding a rabbit (or two!) to your family? Rabbits are the third most popular furry pet
after cats and dogs. But with unique care needs and behaviours, they’re definitely not the same as
cats or dogs! Before you bring your new companion home, it’s important to know what to expect
from living with rabbits.
Rabbits are a long-term commitment. Are you prepared to feed, clean up after and spend time
with your rabbit every day for up to 15 years?
Rabbits should be a part of your family. Your rabbit should be kept in an area of your house
where people hang out – ideally in a large, enriched enclosure or with free run of an entire room.
Rabbits behave a lot like wild rabbits. And two things are very important to wild rabbits:
security and companionship.
Security. Rabbits are a prey species. In the wild, they either freeze on the spot or RUN for cover
when they’re frightened. As pets, they do the same. To feel secure, your rabbit needs a shelter they
can retreat to, whether they are in their enclosure or out free in a room.
Companionship. In the wild, rabbits live in large groups. They keep watch over each other for
predators, eat together and even groom each other. Consider adopting more than one rabbit so
they can keep each other company when you’re not home.
Rabbits
have unique
personalities!
Some are shy and
will take more time
to relax and feel
comfortable in your
home. But once used
to people, rabbits can
make fun, affectionate
pets.
So remember:
commitment, patience
and an appreciation
for rabbit behaviour
are important in
becoming life-long
friends with your
new companion.
PHOTO: ELISA GARRIDO/ISTOCK
When it comes to rabbits, this mat
h is
right on the nose! In just one yea
r, a
female rabbit could have as man
y as
144 baby bunnies! To help preven
t
pet overpopulation, all BC SPC A
rabbits are spayed or neutered. You
rs
should be too! Spaying and neuteri
ng
can make litter box training easier
and
keep your companion healthier.
PHOTO: KENDRA GRAHAUER
Spending time with your rabbit will
show you how they nor mally look
and behave. When you not ice
something unusual – like
diar rhea or loss of appetite
– you’ll know to take them to Grass hay should be the staple
the veterinarian right away! of your rabbit’s diet. Feed them
Rabbits also need vaccines to a variety of grass hays such as
protect them from disease. Timothy hay, orchard grass and
oat hay – as much as they want.
Hay helps with digestion. Avoid
e to alfalfa, though. It’s too rich for
Rabbits require plenty of exercis most rabbits.
– at leas t four
stay happy and healthy
of a cag e! You
hours each day outside
und par t
can let your rabbit hop aro
Be sure to
or even all of your house.
g
“rabbit-proof” your home by coverin Keep your rabbit entertained with
electrical cords, mov ing hou seh old
your puzzle feeders and toys such as
plants out of reach, and keeping paper bags and hard plastic bab
als. Whe n
rabbit safe from other anim y
toys. To wear down your rabbit’s
the weather is nice, you can also
constantly growing teeth, give
take your rabbit outside for some
Bark!
. them things to chew on like grass
superv ised play time inside a pen mats and untreated willow or
6 apple tree branches.
ed
Rabbits are herbivores, meaning
they only Most rabbits don’t like to be pick
alw ays use two han ds:
eat plants. Feed your rabbit plen
ty of fresh up. If you do,
hind end and the oth er
vegetables every day – especially one under the
leaf y greens che st. It may be bes t to
like kale, bok choy, parsley and rom around their
aine lettuce. for
Only feed fruits as a treat and in
very small have an adult pick your rabbit up
amounts. Your rabbit can also hav you. Rabbits hav e stro ng bac k legs
e good quality, ld
high fibre rabbit pellets. Rabbit pell and can jump quickly. Not only cou
ets are a d, you r rab bit cou ld
complete, balanced diet. Just don
’t feed too many or you get scratche
ying
you’ll end up with an overweight
rabbit. be seriously injured. Instead of carr
und , try play ing with them
your rabbit aro
on and off
on the floor, and lett ing them hop
your lap as they like.
not mesh or
Habitat bot toms should be solid,
feet . For bedding,
wire, which can hur t rabbit
ycle d paper
use a thick, clean blanket. Rec Rabbits are great groomers, so
h as asp en (not
bedding or wood shavings suc they don’t need baths. But they
d. Just wat ch
pine or cedar) can also be use do need brushing – especially
y aren ’t eat ing it.
your rabbit to make sure the long-haired rabbits – to prevent
mat ting. Rabbits need their
nails trimmed every four to six
weeks by an adult. Cut ting nails
too short can be painful and
cause them to bleed.
r box
Rabbits can be trained to use a litte
hou se.
so they won’t make a mess in the
ks wel l,
A large plastic cat litter box wor
plet ely
as long as your rabbit can fit com
one in
inside. Make sure your rabbit has
use dur ing
their cage, and at least one to
ped with
play time. Keep the litter box top
you r bun
fresh Timothy hay to encourage
ry oth er
to use it. Clean the litter box eve
wee k.
day and the ent ire cage once a
Rabbits love company. For all tho
se
hours people are at work or school,
think how happy your rabbit will
be
hav ing a rabbit friend around! The
y’ll
eat, play and sleep together, and
groom
each other.
par t
Rabbits are best kept indoors as
of your family. Your rabbit’s hab itat
must be big enough to fit food and
lter
water bowls, a litter box and a she
l
for rest ing and hiding – while stil
Bark!
s in
allowing them to take several hop
a row. The more space, the bet ter!
7
Small Animal Care Series
The British Columbia Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
PHOTO: HOUSE RABBIT
SOCIETY
GR AH AUER
PHOTO: KENDRA
Even though they’re sold as complete rabbit “starter kits,” most
pet store cages are not a deal at all! For what you pay for them,
they’re way too small to properly house a rabbit. Once outfitted
with a litter box, food and water bowls and a shelter, you’ll find
there’s barely any room for your companion!
You can easily make a large habitat from inexpensive materials.
Two designs that cost about the same as an “extra large” pet store
cage can be made from either a dog exercise pen or wire storage
cubes. Either design provides three times the bunny space!
Larger cages give you a lot more room to “decorate” by adding toys
and places to perch and hide. Rabbits are more active and playful
when they’re given extra space. Not only do larger cages keep your
rabbit happier and healthier, they also make your job a lot easier
because they don’t get dirty as quickly!
As their guardian, you are responsible for your This guide provides basic care information.
rabbits’ health and well-being. You Please visit spca.bc.ca for more rabbit care
should make sure: tips. You can also follow your nose to these
other great rabbit resources:
They never go hungry or thirsty;
They are taken to the vet when they The House Rabbit Society
are sick or injured; rabbit.org
They are not afraid all the time;
They are comfortable in their House Rabbit Handbook: How to
surroundings; Live with an Urban Rabbit
They are free to behave like By Marinell Harriman
rabbits! Published by Drollery Press
For more information on providing Understanding Your Rabbit’s Habits
these “Five Freedoms,” check out By Tamsin Stone
spca.bc.ca. Published by T-Squared
Make the your first adoption option! Visit spca.bc.ca to view all adoptable rabbits.
