Caring for a pet rabbit is a joyful and rewarding experience. Rabbits are intelligent, social, and affectionate companions, but they require proper care, a balanced diet, and the right environment to thrive. Below is a complete guide on how to care for your rabbit, what to feed them, and how much to feed them.
Rabbits can live 8–12 years with proper care. They are not low-maintenance pets but with the right diet, housing, and love, they make wonderful companions.
Providing unlimited hay, fresh greens, limited pellets, exercise, and regular vet care will ensure your bunny stays healthy and happy.
1. Create a Safe Living Environment
Rabbits need space to hop, stretch, stand up and explore.
Your rabbit should be housed in a large enclosure or exercise pen rather than a small cage, giving them plenty of room to move comfortably. Ideally, the space should be at least four times the size of your rabbit when they are fully stretched out, allowing them to hop, stand upright, and turn around easily. Line the enclosure with soft bedding, with paper-based litter being the safest and most recommended option. Rabbits are best kept indoors to protect them from predators and harsh weather conditions, and their environment should be maintained at a comfortable temperature between 60–70°F (15–21°C) to ensure their health and well-being.
Rabbits also need at least 3–4 hours of supervised exercise outside their enclosure daily.
2. Feeding Your Rabbit Properly
Diet is the most important part of rabbit care. A rabbit’s digestive system relies on constant fiber intake.
Feeding your rabbit the right diet is essential for their overall health and longevity. The foundation of a rabbit’s diet should be hay, which makes up about 80–90% of what they eat. Always provide unlimited fresh grass hay such as Timothy, Orchard, or Meadow hay. Hay is critical for proper digestion and helps wear down their continuously growing teeth, preventing dental problems. It should be available to your rabbit at all times.
In addition to hay, rabbits need a daily serving of fresh leafy greens. Nutritious options include romaine lettuce, cilantro, parsley, bok choy, and dandelion greens. These provide important vitamins and variety in their diet. Avoid iceberg lettuce, as it contains very little nutritional value and can cause digestive upset. You can offer a mix of two to three different greens each day to keep meals balanced and interesting.
Pellets should be given in limited amounts and should be high-quality, plain rabbit pellets without seeds, nuts, or colorful added pieces. Pellets are a supplement to hay—not a replacement—and too many can lead to weight gain or digestive issues. Lastly, always provide fresh, clean water. It should be available at all times and changed daily to ensure your rabbit stays properly hydrated.
3. How Much to Feed
Feeding amounts depend on age and weight so always check the packaging.
Adult rabbits over six months of age should have unlimited access to fresh grass hay every day (at least 75-80%), as it remains the most important part of their diet. In addition to hay, they should receive about 1 packed cup of leafy greens per 2 pounds (1 kg) of body weight daily, along with ¼ cup of high-quality pellets per 5 pounds (2.2 kg) of body weight. For example, a 4-pound rabbit would need unlimited hay, approximately 2 cups of leafy greens each day, and about ¼ cup of pellets. These portions help maintain a healthy weight while supporting proper digestion and dental health.
Baby rabbits under six months have slightly different nutritional needs to support their growth. They should be given unlimited alfalfa hay, which is richer in calcium and protein than grass hay, along with unlimited high-quality pellets. Fresh greens can be introduced slowly after 12 weeks of age, adding one type at a time in small amounts to monitor for any digestive sensitivity.
4. Grooming & Health Care
Regular grooming and preventative health care are essential to keeping your rabbit healthy and comfortable. Brush your rabbit at least once a week, and daily during heavy shedding seasons, to prevent excess fur from being ingested, which can lead to digestive issues. Their nails should be trimmed every 4–6 weeks to avoid overgrowth and discomfort. Providing safe chew toys is also important, as rabbits’ teeth grow continuously and need natural wear to prevent dental problems. In addition, schedule annual checkups with an exotic veterinarian experienced in rabbit care.
Be alert for signs of illness such as not eating for 12 hours or more, producing small or no droppings, lethargy, or runny eyes or nose. Because rabbits instinctively hide signs of sickness, seeking veterinary care promptly at the first sign of trouble is critical.
5. Social & Emotional Needs
Rabbits are naturally social animals and require daily interaction to stay happy and mentally stimulated. Spend time playing with them, offering attention, and providing toys such as cardboard tunnels or untreated wooden chew items to keep them engaged. Many rabbits also benefit from having a bonded companion, though introductions should be done carefully and both rabbits should be spayed or neutered to prevent aggressive behavior. While rabbits generally enjoy gentle petting on their head and back, they tend to dislike being picked up, so it’s important to respect their boundaries and let them approach affection on their own terms.
And lastly…
6. Foods to Avoid
- Iceberg lettuce
- Chocolate
- Bread
- Cereal
- Yogurt drops
- Onions
- Garlic
- Avocado
These can cause serious digestive problems.
Hope this help if you are looking at getting a Rabbit as a pet.