Rabbit care: companionship, food and room to move

Rabbits are active, social animals with their own care needs. Rabbits need more than a small hutch and the occasional cuddle. Good rabbit care starts with another rabbit's company, enough safe space to move and fibre-rich food.

Living with a suitable companion

Keep rabbits with a suitable rabbit companion. They can provide each other with company and rest together, but simply putting unfamiliar animals together can cause injuries. When forming a pair, seek guidance from a knowledgeable rabbit rescue or another experienced professional.

Get to know each animal individually. Watch who comes to the food, where they lie and how they move. This helps you notice if one starts behaving differently. A guinea pig does not replace another rabbit's company.

More space than just a hutch

Rabbits must be able to run, jump, sit upright and retreat. Provide a spacious enclosure with safe exercise space and hiding places. They must also be able to avoid one another. Protect cables and other unsafe materials if they roam indoors.

Outdoors, secure boundaries, shelter and protection from predators are important. Plan for heat, cold and changing weather. Do not repeatedly move a rabbit between very different temperatures without preparation. The LICG care sheet at the end of this guide provides more detail on housing and recommended dimensions.

Fibre-rich food and fresh water

Hay forms the basis of the daily diet for many pet rabbits and should be freely available. Fibre supports digestion and keeps the animals occupied. Supplement appropriately with rabbit food and familiar vegetables; change the menu gradually and seek expert advice if unsure.

Check their drinking water daily and make sure the bowl or bottle is working properly. Look not only at whether supplies are going down, but also whether each rabbit is actually eating. If a rabbit is not eating, contact a vet immediately.

Calm handling and care

Many rabbits dislike being picked up. Interact at ground level and give them room to approach you. Only lift a rabbit when necessary and learn how to support the body properly. Never pick a rabbit up by the ears.

Check each rabbit every day and keep their enclosure clean. Grooming differs between short and long coats and during moulting. Ask for a demonstration of suitable techniques if you do not know how to brush or groom safely.

Daily care and holiday sitting

A holiday does not change these basic needs. Show the sitter the group, enclosure and regular routine. Choose someone who knows how to handle rabbits and has time to feed them, clean their enclosure and check how they are doing.

The separate guide to rabbit sitting during your holiday helps you organise the handover. Also use the general Petbnb pet sitter checklist.

Sources

• LICG: rabbit — social behaviour, housing, feeding, handling, grooming and not eating.