Thinking about getting a rabbit🐇?

Thinking about getting a rabbit, or just wanting to check you're looking after your furry friend properly? This is the guide to all things rabbit related! From cleaning to play, and sleep to hay, here's how to take care of your for-legged friend!

Did you know?-

Rabbits are the 3rd most popular pet in the UK, just after dogs and cats!

Breeds-

Not all rabbits are the same. They may share some similarities in appearance and behaviour, but different breeds come with varying physical characteristics and personality traits. They also require different care needs.

There's little to no point naming all breeds you could possibly get, as the list is endless! Do your research and see what breed would most fit into your family and lifestyle.

Do you want a rabbit that lives indoors or outdoors? Do you want your rabbit to be big or small, lop-eared or furry, lively or lazy? You need to think about all these factors before deciding on what breed you want!

Rabbits also do much better in pairs, as they thrive of each others company, so you need to think about how much space you have, or how much you would be willing to give to your pet rabbit(s). Don't get a large or energetic breed if you can't offer them the maximum space required!

Most rabbit breeds can live up to 8-12 years old, so you need to think about if you are going to be able to accommodate a rabbit in the future.

Food-

Just like any animal, rabbits need a healthy and balanced diet. As a general rule, rabbits need a diet based on 85% grass or feeding hay, 10% greens and 5% good quality nuggets. I feed my rabbit two lots of nuggets per day, one in the morning and one in the evening, fresh greens for lunch, and easy access to hay all day long.

If you find your rabbit isn't eating enough hay, cut back on nuggets. Fresh greens I like to use is curly kale and flat leaf parsley. More sugary vegetables, like carrots, should be given less often and only as an occasional treat.

You should also be feeding your rabbit treats every so often as well. You could even hide them in their toys for entertainment!

Food products I personally use and recommend!-

Pets at Home Adult Rabbit Nuggets

Pets at Home Meadow Feeding Hay with Timothy

VetIQ Nibblots Berry Treats For Small Animals

Pets at Home Small Animal Treat Sticks Flavoured with Oats

Water-

Typically, the water intake for a rabbit is 50-150 ml per day. I know that is quite a broad number, but it really depends on the breed and size of your rabbit. As long as your rabbit has access to fresh water at all times, I wouldn't worry to much, as rabbits can realise when their thirsty, and when not. Ideally a water bowl is better for rabbits, as it is more natural to them, but a bottle works just fine to. Here is the bowl I personally use, but any will do.

Mason Cash Cane Small Animal Bowl

Home/ cleaning-

You need to have a real think if you want your rabbit to live indoors or outdoors, as their homes will look slightly different.

Indoors-

The total area available to a bunny should be a minimum of 10 x 6 x 3 ft (3 x 2 x 1 m), made up of a hutch at least 6ft x 2ft (2m x 1m) and an attached run or enclosure. Obviously this will look slightly different for indoor rabbits, but this is still the minimum space required. You need to make sure you rabbit proof your house by covering any electrical's and cables, and anything they could possibly get their teeth into. Your cage should be filled with a layer of wood shavings (this should be replaced weekly) and should have a private area where they can sleep and hide. They should have a liter tray filled with a layer of litter or litter wood pellets, and a third of the tray filled with hay, to encourage them to toilet there. This should be cleaned daily using a rabbit safe disinfectant. They should also have access to fresh water there, via a bowl or bottle, and a food bowl in there to (these should be cleaned daily using a rabbit safe disinfectant). They also need toys in their they can play with.

Outdoors-

Once again, the total area available to a bunny should be a minimum of 10 x 6 x 3 ft (3 x 2 x 1 m), made up of a hutch at least 6ft x 2ft (2m x 1m) and an attached run or enclosure. Your cage should once again be filled with a layer of wood shavings (this should be replaced weekly) and should have a private area where they can sleep or hide. I also recommend a hutch cover to stop rain getting in and to prevent the wood from getting damaged. They should also have straw in their bedding for the cold winter nights, so they can stay warm and cosy! They should have a liter tray filled with a layer of litter or litter wood pellets, and a third of the tray filled with hay, to encourage them to toilet there. This should be cleaned daily using a rabbit safe disinfectant. They should also have access to fresh water there, via a bowl or bottle, and a food bowl in there to (these should be cleaned daily using a rabbit safe disinfectant). They should also have a run attached to their hutch that has access to fresh grass so they can get the exercise they need. They also need toys in their they can play with.

Here are the products I use.-

Pets at Home Cat Litter Tray Silver < I recommend using a cat litter tray to give them more space. I couldn't find the exact one I have, but this one is similar.

Pets at Home Small Animal Woodshavings Bale

Back 2 Nature Small Animal and Bird Bedding and Litter

Outdoor Wooden Rabbit Hutch Cage with Wire Mesh Safety Run and Play Space < Again, I couldn't find the exact one I have, but this one is similar.

Johnson's Clean and Safe Disinfectant for Small Pet

Exercise-

Ideally, rabbits should be able to exercise whenever they want to, but a minimum of four hours free run a day is recommended, ideally split into two exercise periods, morning and evening of about two hours each. That's why a 'run' is recommended if your garden is not rabbit proof, or there are poisonous plants around (any bulb plants).

Entertainment-

Rabbits need enrichment as they can get bored easily and they also encourage your pets to perform natural behaviours such as digging, jumping, chewing and chin rubbing. Toys are important because they provide mental stimulation to rabbits. Although there are some great toys out there, you don't need to buy toys. For example, you could hide treats in toilet roll tubes. Rabbits teeth also grow 3mm per week, so they need to constantly gnaw on toys to break down their teeth.

Some toys I recommend!-

Woodlands Loofah and Stick Small Animal Chew

Woodlands Edible Basket Small Animal Toy

Woodlands Trio of Play Balls < This is my rabbit's favourite toy!

Behaviour-

A rabbit's body language can be subtle, therefore it's not always easy to understand how a rabbit's feeling. A good place to start is with a rabbit's ears. If they are close together, facing upwards and pointing outwards, the rabbit is likely to be relaxed and happy. Alternatively, a worried rabbit's ears will be flattened against their back. Other indicators are a rabbit's eyes and their body posture. Additionally, their behaviour can indicate how they are feeling, for example, a rabbit may be anxious if they are hiding. Rabbits can also thump if they have smelt, heard or seen danger.

Rabbits eating their own poo is also completely natural as it gives them the nutrients they need.

Useful links-

What does my rabbit's behaviour mean?

Handling-

Rabbits are usually quite shy animals so dislike being picked up. This is because the feeling of being picked up signals danger, since this is only something that happens when they are in the grasp of a predator.

You need to see what your rabbit is comfortable with, whether that’s being stroked, or being picked up, before letting anyone else near them.

We hope this has helped you to make an informed decision! Although there is a lot to know, rabbits really do make a perfect pet and they are lots of fun! #MammalswithMaple Please do get in touch if you have any further questions using our live chat feature, or DM us on Instagram @Maplelifestyleofficial and we would be more than happy to help!