Rabbit Adoption Care Guide

1. Space & Environment

Forget the old rabbit hutch at the bottom of the garden  idea. That is not welfare, it is confinement.
Rabbits are active, athletic animals that need constant space to explore, dig, run, and binky. A hutch alone is never enough.

The recommendation are:

• For two rabbits (the minimum, since they are social animals), provide at least 3 m long × 2 m wide × 1 m high of accessible space all the time.

• They also need a sheltered area or hutch that is at least 6 ft × 2 ft × 2 ft, either attached to or within that larger run.

• If you have more than two rabbits or giant breeds, scale up.
   

Rabbits are not sedentary, they are built to move.
In the wild they can travel large distances every day. Therefore, they need room to:

• Jump, stretch, dig, and sprint

• Explore and express natural behaviours

• “Binky”, that mid-air twist and kick that says, I  am happy and alive.
   

Without enough space, rabbits become frustrated, depressed, and can even develop serious health problems.

 

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24-Hour Access

Rabbits are crepuscular, most active at dawn, dusk, and sometimes during the night.
That means they need constant access to their full space, not just supervised exercise during the day. 

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Creating the Perfect Setup

• The run must be safe, enclosed, and predator-proof. Use sturdy mesh (not chicken wire) and check for dig-outs underneath.

• The sheltered area should be dry, insulated, raised off the ground, and big enough for them to stand on hind legs and stretch fully.

• Provide solid flooring (no bare wire), and soft bedding for comfort and warmth.

• Keep their space in a quiet, shaded, weather-protected location, not directly in sun or wind.

Make it interesting. Tunnels, platforms, hiding boxes, and digging trays keep rabbits busy and mentally healthy.

2. Cleanliness & Litter Training

Rabbits are naturally clean and can be litter trained easily.

• Use paper-based or wood-pellet litter (never clumping cat litter)

• Keep their area ventilated, ammonia from urine builds up fast

They will often pick a toilet corner themselves, so respect their choice and put the tray there.

 

 

 

​3. Companionship & Social Needs

Rabbits are social animals, they need company. A bonded pair (neutered male and neutered female) is the gold standard.

Single rabbits can become depressed or withdrawn without companionship.
If you are adopting one, plan for bonding down the line, or adopt an established pair from a rescue.

When bonding:

• Always do it on neutral ground

• Introduce scents first, then supervised contact

• Patience is key, slow and steady bonding prevents fights

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4. Health & Vet Care

Rabbits are prey animals, they hide illness until it is serious. Watch for:

• Not eating for 6+ hours (a medical emergency)

• Runny eyes or nose

• Changes in droppings

• Grinding teeth (pain sign)

• Limping or reluctance to move

They need:

• Annual vaccinations (RHD1, RHD2, and Myxomatosis)

• Regular vet checks

• Nail trims every few weeks

• Neutering, it prevents cancer, unwanted litters, and hormone aggression