Do Rabbits Make Good Indoor Pets?
For many people, a Pet Rabbit is the perfect pet! Rabbits are like many other pets, with different personalities, so you should always give a lot of consideration before adopting any pet. The happiest relationships between pets and pet parents generally start with a good match!
Rabbits are social animals, that enjoy interacting with their pet parents and other family members. Rabbits should be thought of as indoor pets, and we urge everyone that it is better to set up a hutch in a garage, basement or spare bedroom, rather than outside, if at all possible. |
There are several considerations when keeping a pet bunny. You must start with the rabbit's housing, which could be a wooden hutch or plastic or metal cage. Either way, make sure you buy the largest bunny home that you can fit and afford. A rabbit can never have too much room! Try to choose a home that is 3 to 4 times your bunny's full-grown length, and the cage's width should be twice her length. For example, if your bunny were 10 inches long, then a cage that was 36inches by 24inches would be ok. Selecting one that was 40inches or longer would be ideal.
Make sure you get a good quality water bottle, which normally hangs outside the hutch or cage. A regular size rabbit needs a 32oz bottle, but a dwarf bunny can use a 16oz bottle. Make sure you clean the bottles regularly, and always make sure fresh water is available. When used outside, water bottles will freeze, so electrically heated bottles should be used.
Your rabbit will likely tip over a bowl on the cage floor, so feeders that hang on the side and drop by gravity work well, as do metal or plastic bowls that clip on the side. Keep in mind that bunnies like to chew, so choose a feeder that will not become dinner!
Make sure you get a good quality water bottle, which normally hangs outside the hutch or cage. A regular size rabbit needs a 32oz bottle, but a dwarf bunny can use a 16oz bottle. Make sure you clean the bottles regularly, and always make sure fresh water is available. When used outside, water bottles will freeze, so electrically heated bottles should be used.
Your rabbit will likely tip over a bowl on the cage floor, so feeders that hang on the side and drop by gravity work well, as do metal or plastic bowls that clip on the side. Keep in mind that bunnies like to chew, so choose a feeder that will not become dinner!
Bunnies Love Hay, Especially Timothy and Orchard Grass
Bunnies love hay, especially timothy and orchard grass. Alfalfa hay is great too, but maybe too rich regularly and could upset your rabbit's tummy. Consider hay more as a treat, even though some rabbit foods are entirely made of hay. It is generally neater and easier to use a hay holder that your rabbit will eat from. Some of these will also have a place to add a salt wheel, that helps reduce boredom, wear your rabbit's teeth a bit, and help balance the bunny's nutritional needs.
Consider giving your bunny treats regularly too. Try different ones for variety, and to reward your bunny for being good. Try to keep at least something that your rabbit can chew on at all times in your rabbit's home. This is good to keep their teeth from growing too long, but also helps overcome cage boredom by giving your bunny something to do. Try to vary these chew toys, but always make sure they are safe and not too badly worn. Remove anything that could become a hazard!
Be sure to "bunny proof" any area of your home that your rabbit could have access to. Bunnies will chew on electric cords, eat carpet, chew furniture, etc. Use good common sense here, as your rabbit must have time to run and play, outside her cage. Try to find a quiet time daily that works well with your family life. Time outside the cage is a great time for bonding, which can include holding, patting, playing, walking and grooming. Many bunnies love a gentle brushing with a special bunny brush, some while sitting on your lap. Many playpens are available for your bunny, which might be a better choice if you have times that you cannot directly supervise your pet, but want your bunny to have some outside time. For a minimal investment, you can get a portable playpen and bunny carrier, and take your bunny to a friend or relative's house for a visit. Be sure to bring some food and the water bottle too. This is a great way for children to visit their grandparents, and still have their loving pet with them!
Rabbit leashes and walking harness are available, and a safer way to take your pet outside. Keep your bunny under supervision when not protected outside in a hutch. Make sure there are no bad things that a rabbit can chew when they are outside, and consider things like lawn fertilizer, chemicals, grass seed, and other common things from your yard. When in doubt, consider that it could be a hazard!
Rabbit food varies by manufacturer and by price point. As a rule, the less expensive lines are primarily made up of complete pellets, meaning that all the nutrients that your rabbit needs are in the pellet. Supplemental hay and treats are still good to provide variety and help relieve cage boredom. Some pellets duplicate the diet a bunny would have in nature, including plants like Dandelion in their products! The higher-end lines offer more variety in the food, including supplemental fruits, dried veggies and other natural bunny edibles in the mix. This makes these diets more appealing, with more flavor, variety, and choice. Manufacturers are now adding things like Probiotics to the better mixes, which aid in digestion and promote colon health! The difference in pricing is generally not significant between basic lines and premium lines. We encourage folks to use the best quality food that they can afford, and provide your pet with the best nutrition possible for a healthier life. |