Bunny 101
We recommend that your house rabbit remains indoors 100% of the time because there are many dangers for house rabbits who do live outside.
* RHDV2 (Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease Virus Type 2) which is a highly contagious and deadly virus for a rabbit. In the United States, there is a vaccine that is safe and effective in preventing the disease. For more information and education on RHDV2, consider the following online resources at
https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/animal-health-and-welfare/animal-health/rabbit-hemorrhagic-disease
* Myxomatosis (commonly known as “Myxo”) is a deadly virus that is spread through transmission via insect bites by fleas and mosquitoes. There is no vaccine or treatment for it and the best mode of prevention is to keep your house rabbit indoors. For more information and education on Myxomatosis, consider the following online resources at
https://rabbit.org/health/myxomatosis/
https://avmajournals.avma.org/view/journals/javma/aop/javma.24.02.0139/javma.24.02.0139.xml
* Rabbits are prey animals. They may hide symptoms of illness when they are not well. They may also experience a change in their behavior when they are sick.. A rabbit may go into GI Stasis for several reasons and can have a marked change of behavior when this occurs, and can pass away within 24 hours is not treated by an Exotic Rabbit Veterinarian.
* Rabbits are very sensitive and intuitive. Extremes in hot or cold temperatures or the sense of prey animals nearby may cause stress for them to the point where it can cause heart attack to even death.
* House rabbits should be spayed or neutered. Of course, this is important for population control, but also for many health and behavior benefits.
* House rabbits have a unique digestive system where they don’t have the capability to vomit or “throw up.” What they may intentionally consume or not, may or may not come out (literally) at the end. It is important to maintain regularity in their diet, and keep your house rabbit's area clean and free from things that could cause harm if they may consume it.
Your rabbit should be housed in an X-Pen or similar, providing enough room for the rabbit to hop around. 16 square feet of living space (the area of a typical 4’ x 4’ X-Pen) is recommended. If you have a bonded pair, the area should be much larger for both rabbits to move around freely.
X-pens come in different heights from 24" to 36" - even up to 48” tall - meant for those rabbits who are active “jumpers.” Those who are housed in an X-Pen may have “playtime” in a larger space, i.e., an X-Pen with a greater area, or even in a hallway or similar. If you can, your rabbits can also have their own room to live in and have playtime all in one space!
Rabbits have a very thin layer of fur on their back legs (or hocks) and need to have a soft fabric like fleece or other soft material to prevent what is called "sore hocks." They will need a litter box, unlimited hay and a solid heavy water bowl. The litter box and water bowl should be cleaned every day or so. They will also need toys and a Willow Tent or something similar as a place to “hide.” Rabbits are prey animals and like to feel safe under something.
Your bunnies can free-roam in their own room without a door. You can consider using a baby gate if they are in an area with no door to keep them within a space. You can also use a baby x-pen or similar to block off areas of the room.
The play area should be free of cords, plants or other things that may cause harm to them. Some rabbits may hop onto tables and push things over that could fall onto them, so these items should be totally removed from the play area. You don't want things to fall on them or other items that could fall into their home by accident!
Consider placing vinyl from a home supply store on your floor to protect it and to make clean up simple. The vinyl or similar should fold up along the sides of the walls.
Place your bunny in the area long with the litter box, food, water bowls, hide-away, toys and treats. You can place the bunny in a carrier and then clean up their place. It is difficult to clean up their area while they are in their home area. You might hear a few "thumps!"
Hay
Hay is the most important item in your rabbit's diet. Rabbits need to have unlimited access to hay as they tend to eat their body volume’s worth of hay each day. Rabbits - unlike people - are grazing animals and need to eat all of the time to keep their digestive system moving and healthy.
Rabbits tend to spread the hay around their litter box. However, rabbits are very clean and will not eat the soiled hay. You can place the hay in a hay rack on one side of their litter box to keep it clean, fresh, and accessible at all times. Adult rabbits enjoy Orchard and Timothy Hay and are best to maintain optimal health.
Of course, there are other types of hay. Oat Hay can be mixed in with Orchard and/or Timothy Hay as a treat at about 10% of volume. Oat Hay tends to have more calories which is why they like it. Alfalfa hay is meant for baby rabbits (kits) and Nursing Moms. Long-Fur Adult rabbits can also have some Alfalfa hay mixed in with Orchard and/or Timothy Hay since their long fur requires extra calories to produce.
Litter Box Skills
Like cats, rabbits are very clean and like to use their litter box both while eating their hay and doing their business. Use a cat litter box or similar and choose wheat based, plant fiber, paper- based or untreated wood pellets. You should not use clumping or clay based litter as if ingested,
could do their digestive tract much harm.
Their litter box should be placed in a safe corner next to a wall in their housing area. Rabbits would like to feel safe while they eat and do their business. They know that nothing is going after them from the wall. You can place their droppings inside of their litter box for them to understand. If you give them in a large area you might need several litter boxes on each side of their space.
Rabbits like to have leafy greens. Go to the local farmers market for romaine lettuce, dandelion greens, fennel, spring mix, carrot tops, parsley, and much more. Consider planting a garden for your own greens and have the satisfaction of growing what your rabbit eats. There are several types of greens that you can give to your rabbit that are very easy to grow yourself.
You rabbit should have 1 to 2 heavy ceramic water bowls. Rabbits need to drink a lot of water just like people. Rabbits however do like to put their towns into water bowls. The 2nd water bowl would help in that case. There are times when you may use a water bottle. Water bottles are however difficult to clean vs a water bowl. There are some rabbits who do get a lot of water on their fur during drinking. If this happen can you try several different heights of the water bowl along with the level of water.
Nurse says "Nurse Bunny during summer or when it is hot. There are several things that you can do cool your rabbit. There are of course other things that you can do. You can close your drapes. Keep them away from direct sunlight. They remove heat through air movement across their body. You can have fan set to low but not have the fan directly pointed at them".
