Rabbit Requirements
You can find some more detailed information using the links below. On this page is an outline of the very basic requirements for keeping rabbits.
Basic requirements for keeping rabbits as pets
Agreed by most rabbit experts, supported by The Rabbit Residence Rescue & RSPCA Cambridge & District Branch
The Rabbit Residence Rescue and RSPCA Cambridge & District branch along with many other rescues ask for the following requirements. We hope you enjoy visiting the rescue and that your visit has helped you understand why rabbits' requirments are so different from what has been portrayed by pet shops and breeders since rabbits were first thought of as pets many years ago and attitudes have not changed.
Diet
- Hay based diet which must be available at all times.
- Also highly recommend dried grass and Timothy hay.
- Oxbow, Burgess or Supreme Selective pellets. 2 ounces per rabbit fed in the evening recommended. Do not feed any of the mixes. These are the only recommended commercial feeds due to ingredients and fibre content.
- Vegetables such as curly kale, greens, broccoli, carrots & tops and cabbage are appreciated daily. They are used to a few leaves each morning.
- Edible wild plants & apple, pear and willow branches are great for front teeth.
- Fresh drinking water, a bottle will help indicate exactly what your rabbit drinks and helps prevent contamination/infections, a bowl gives easy access in hot weather and a bowl of warm water is appreciated in cold weather.
Accomodation and Environmental Enrichment
- Minimum size 6ft long by 2ft wide by 2ft high hutch, ideally with a 3ft bedroom compartment (a 6ft by 4ft shed can be bought for £95). See our links section for recommended retailers of hutches. Additionally, I am also able to supply the recommended sized hutches and runs, so please let me know if you would be interested in this service.
- Minimum 6ft wide by 10ft long by 3 ft high run made from light welded mesh that must be attached to hutch/ shed (Rabbits may be locked in hutch at night or let out in secure garden when owners at home). We highly recommend that a tarpaulin be fixed over the run to create vital coolness from heat and protection from rain. I am able to supply recommended sized runs, so please let me know if you would be interested in this service.
- Places to dig and hide. A rabbit loves the freedom to leap & bound but they are prey animals and are very aware of threats so plenty of boxes to hide in will make them more relaxed and content. They also have many natural behaviours such as burrowing holes and digging small scoops to toilet in to mark their territory, so space to do this will prevent this being "unwanted, nuisance" behaviour.
The following fact sheet shows what equipment you should invest in when taking on a rabbit as a pet (right click to download):
Shopping list for rabbit care
Companionship
- Rabbits MUST live in pairs. Whether you have a single rabbit that wants a friend or are able to adopt a pair; a neutered buck and spayed doe pairing works best. Though they live in colonies, with sub-groups of up to 8 in the wild, they would be related and have a female line and acres of space, so it's more difficult to get domestic rabbits to live in groups without preventing natural pecking order which can lead to health and behavioural issues and make them less likely to trust humans.
- Bucks or Does? The majority of bucks will fight once they reach sexual maturity, even if neutered and most doe pairings will not be as content or friendly towards humans, often one more dominant over the other.
- See below for one of our client's experiences of bonding their house-rabbit through the Rabbit Residence rescue centre.
Suitable vet care
Make sure you search for a rabbit friendly, experienced vet and ask the right questions. See how they handle the rabbit. A rabbit will be calm with a confident vet. With so many animals, all vets will have their favourite species. Knowledge on curing rabbit diseases surgery possibilities and understanding what medicines work best is changing so much thanks to the RWF funding Bristol University to specialise in rabbit veterinary studies.
