Rabbit Care
> Housing
> Diet
> Company
> Cost
Housing
Rabbits may be kept inside or outside.
Outside your rabbit will require a secure hutch and run. Accommodation must be secure from predators, escapees and the weather. Animals including dogs, cats and foxes may kill a rabbit if they have the opportunity. Rabbits need a warm, dry area to shelter from rain and snow, and shade on hot days. Many commercial hutches are too small, and to provide your rabbit with suitable accommodation you may need to build you own, join serveral together or have one custom made. Rabbits will need both a sheltered hutch or sleeping area and a run for exercise. The size of the accommodation needed will also depend on the size of rabbit you are getting, large breeds will need very large accommodation. The larger your bunny's home the better. You rabbit should be able to stand up on his/her back legs without banging the top of the hutch/run and have room to run and play. The Rabbit Charity Recommends a run should be at least 4' X 10' X 2½' high (120cm X 300cm X 75cm high).
If your rabbit is going to live inside it will need a litter tray and a hutch or sleeping area. The house will also need to be 'bunny proofed'. Electrical wires, poisonous plants, book etc will all need to be out of reach. You will also need to be prepared for possible teeth marks in furniture and holes in carpets.
Diet
Rabbits need a constant supply of hay. In addition they will also eat rabbit pellet food and vegetables (greens).
Information about diet can be food on the House Rabbit Society Web Site:
Diet FAQ
The importance of Fibre
Treats FAQ
Company
Rabbits are social animals and like to have other rabbit company, unless you are going to be with your rabbit most of the day, and even then, it will still appreciate having the companionship of another bunny. Rabbits should be neutered to prevent baby rabbits before being introduced to a friend.
For further information please visit:
FAQ: Should I Get a Second Rabbit
Bonding Bunnies by Tom Speer
Making A Match: Rabbit Pairing Tips
Cost
These are approximate costs, obviously they will vary slightly depending on where a rabbit is kept and unforceen vets bills.
- Yearly vacinations £30
- Food (pellets, vegetables, treats) £3/week
- Hay £2.50/week
- Bedding (Straw) £2.50/week
- Hutch/Run £120+
- Vet care From £10 for teeth triming to £200 for setting a broken leg
In short, excluding vet care, a rabbit will cost an average of £8/week which means £416 a year.
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