Beginner Guide For Taking Care Of Rabbit

Aditi Shekhar | Nov 17, 2025, 17:46 IST
Thinking of adopting a rabbit and curious about the best ways to meet their needs and care for them? These adorable social creatures serve as great companions for people who take time to learn about their special needs. They may seem easy to care for, but they are a little more work than you signed up for; they have their own unique needs and shouldn't be seen as simpler pets than dogs or cats.

If you’re planning to adopt a rabbit or have just welcomed one into your home, don’t worry, we’ve got this. This guide is here to help you get started building a healthy and happy pet-owner relationship

Characteristics

Difficulty of Care

Intermediate

Average Life Span

10+ years if given proper care

Average Adult Size

12+ inches long, the rest depends on the breed

Mode of diet

Herbivorous

Minimum Habitat Size

24" L x 24" H for small to medium breeds; 36" W x 36" H for large to giant breeds



The most important part about taking care of rabbit is providing them with a nutritious well balanced diet and a large enclosure, one that is taken care of , you may next begin to concentrate on additional aspects of your rabbits overall well-being, including providing appropriate toys, facilitating socialization, effective litter training, attending to grooming needs, and most importantly taking your pet for regular check ups.

1. What to feed your rabbit?


What
What your rabbit should eat?
( Image credit : Pexels )

Let's start with the basics. Having a well-balanced diet plays a crucial role in your rabbit's well-being. Rabbits possess an extremely delicate digestive system, and problems with their gut are one of the leading factors behind their illness and premature death.

Here is what your rabbit would love to have

Grass hay

80%

Leafy greens

10%

pellets

5%

treats

0-5%


2. Setting Up an Indoor Enclosure


Make
Make your rabbits home friendly
( Image credit : Pexels )


Pet stores often recommend small cages for rabbits. Your rabbit can never be happy if caged in a small space all day. So, before you consider going out to buy a rabbit for your home, ensure you have the proper dimensions of the cage with respect to the size of your rabbit.


Watch for these points to avoid choosing an unsuitable enclosure for rabbits:

a small cage

Avoid undersized cages, as they cause health issues and unhappiness for rabbits.


wire-bottomed cage

Wire floors can injure rabbit feet; use a mat if the cage is wire-based.

painted or toxic wood hutch

Rabbits chew on hutches avoid painted wood and toxic woods like cedar, birch, and yew


Space for exercise

When your rabbit is young, it possesses a significant amount of energy; therefore, it is important to ensure that your rabbit receives several hours of exercise each day. Being an owner, you may allow your rabbit supervised access to the entire house or set up an additional exercise pen for their use. The optimal times for rabbit exercise are in the morning or evening, as rabbits are most active at dawn and dusk (non-nocturnal). Allowing your rabbit to exercise during these times will help them gain the greatest benefit from their activity.


3. How to litter train your rabbit


Rabbits are inherently clean animals, exhibiting a strong inclination to maintain both personal hygiene and a tidy environment. Upon bringing a rabbit home, it is advisable to prepare the necessary supplies for litter training in advance. The following items need to be at your home to maintain a clean space for yourself and your pet

1. litter boxes
2. a poop scooper
3 paper bases littler
4 pet-safe cleaning spray
5. A pile of old newspapers

4. Enrichment toys for your rabbit


Smart
Smart play for your smart bunnies
( Image credit : Pexels )


Toys are essential for rabbits as they help maintain both mental and dental health. Rabbits are quite intelligent, requiring toys that keep their minds engaged. Ideal toys are those that they can toss, tug, dig into.

Providing suitable toys also supports your rabbit's dental well-being. Rabbit teeth are open-rooted; they continue to grow throughout their lives. Rabbits need plenty of hay and chew toys to wear down their teeth and avoid serious dental issues. Without appropriate items to chew, a rabbit’s teeth can become overgrown, which might prevent them from eating properly.

5. Grooming your rabbit


Fluffly
Fluffly and fresh:grooming essesntials
( Image credit : Pexels )

Rabbits shed a significant amount of fur on an everyday basis, so it's important to brush them regularly to remove loose fur. It results in a situation where you see that the fur is everywhere, so frequent brushing is necessary to prevent mats from forming. Regular grooming also helps in reducing the amount of fur your rabbit swallows, cutting down on the risk of gut blockage.


6. Socializing your rabbit


Rabbits are highly social animals and may experience loneliness if left alone for a long period of time. Similar to humans, extended isolation in rabbits can result in their reduced lifespan. To promote optimal well-being, it is recommended that owners regularly interact with their rabbits, contributing to their mental and emotional well-being.


7. Finding your rabbit a veterinarian


Rabbits have different health needs than cats or dogs, so look for a veterinarian specialized in rabbits. Take your rabbit for an initial check-up when you bring them home, then schedule annual exams unless your rabbit becomes ill. If your rabbit isn't eating or pooping properly for over 12 hours, seek immediate veterinary care.


8. Love and affection


Finally, keep in mind that rabbits are social creatures who depend on companionship with humans. Dedicate time to your rabbit by offering gentle petting and engaging with them through conversation. Forming a strong connection with your pet is vital to supporting their emotional and psychological well-being.

Conclusion

Before bringing a rabbit into your home, keep in mind that they are not toys. Rabbits have complex social, psychological, and physical needs that require careful attention and guidance. If you decide to welcome a rabbit, consider choosing adoption from a local animal shelter or rabbit rescue group as an option rather than purchasing one from a pet store.

Celebrate the bond with your pets, explore Health & Nutrition, discover Breeds, master Training Tips, Behavior Decoder, and set out on exciting Travel Tails with Times Pets!


Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
  1. What is the 3 3 3 rule for rabbits?
    It signifies that a rabbit needs the first three days to adjust and get familiar with its new surroundings, the next three weeks for training, and the next three months to continue with socialising and training practices.
  2. Do rabbits like to be cuddled?
    Rabbits are adorable creatures who love to be cuddled as much as you love cuddling with them.
  3. Do bunnies like blankets on them?
    Blankets or towels often serve as good bedding for litter-trained house rabbits.
  4. How do rabbits say "I love you"?
    A rabbit expresses its affection towards you by grooming you, which means they licks you or gives you a couple of love nips. The reason behind it licking you is that it considers you as its family.

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