Last Updated on November 7, 2022 by ellen
Wondering about keeping a rabbit indoors or caring for your pet rabbits? Here are a few tips before you bring home your bunny.
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If you’re considering getting a rabbit as a family pet, you are probably concerned about caring for your rabbit and making sure that it is healthy, happy, and safe. You understand that you are taking on a living being, for its entire lifespan, and that you are responsible for making sure she has everything she needs not only to survive but to thrive and prosper in your care. While this is a big responsibility, taking care of your rabbit is fairly straightforward.
Table of Contents
Keeping a Rabbit Indoors
If you’re wondering about how to care for your pet rabbit indoors, keep reading for a few simple tips. As with any pet animal, they will need shelter, food, water, stimulation, and a safe spot to live that is away from other pets.
Wondering how to care for a rabbit outdoors? The most important thing you can do for your bunny is to protect her from the hot sun. If she is outdoors, she must have shade if the temperature is above 80 degrees, and if you live in a very hot climate, keeping bunnies outdoors is not recommended.
When rabbits get hot they become restless, and overheating is as dangerous to them as it is to humans. So make sure that you keep your rabbit safe from heat, or excessive cold. Extreme temperatures are no better for pet rabbits (which are not as hardy as wild rabbits) than they are for humans.
Caring for your pet rabbits is really not much different from caring for any pet; it’s a matter of paying attention and giving the love and nurturing that your bunny needs. In return, she will love and cherish you and give you many years of enjoyment and fun.
Indoor rabbit house
Of course, you’ll need to provide a safe, clean cage for your rabbit if you’re keeping a rabbit indoors. Most cages sold as “rabbit cages†in pet stores are too small; get a large rabbit cage or find instructions for building rabbit cages online, and create a custom cage for your bunny. Rabbits need room to eat and have their litter boxes, and also room to move around their cages and play.
This one is perfect with lots of room for your bunny.
Bunny care 101
What should I feed my rabbit?
Most of the commercial rabbit pellets available provide perfectly adequate nutrition for your rabbit, and it is important to feed her a nutritionally balanced diet. Using ready-made pellets and providing treats in the form of vegetables is probably the best way to accomplish this, and gives you the confidence that your bunny is getting all her nutrients and also enjoying her snacks, which you can feed her by hand if you wish.
If you’re keeping a rabbit indoors, they may occasionally enjoy a few fresh greens from outside that they cannot get themselves.
Safety
Always make sure that your rabbit is safe and protected. This means predators if outside, but also from anything in the house that she might get into. If you’re going to let her run free in the house, make sure you rabbit-proof it first. And, preferably give her one room where she can run loose and play. Be sure it’s completely rabbit-proof.
Rabbits need attention, love, play, and exercise time, just like any other pet. And, they also need you to get to know them. Observe them and note any changes in their behavior, diet, or droppings. Then, you will know if they are ill or injured. You may pick up a rabbit care guide for more in-depth information.
Best rabbit toys
Make sure you buy plenty of rabbit-safe toys for your rabbit. And, you need to switch out their toys occasionally if they get bored. If you’re keeping a rabbit indoors, remember that they need stimulation. You don’t want them to get bored.
More pet articles
- Pet rabbit tips
- Finding a vet for your rabbit
- Are rabbits good for children?
- Do indoor rabbits need bedding?
- Can guinea pigs have cedar bedding?
- How to take care of a baby bunny
- Best fish for kids
- Cleaning a guinea pig cage
- Recipes for guinea pig treats
- How to make your guinea pig love you
Ellen runs a small pet sitting business in southern Vermont. She has experience with a variety of small animals, dogs and cats. She has also cared for ducks, chickens and rabbits. Combined, she has over 20 years of experience in pet care and pet sitting.