I started this blog because I feel there aren’t enough resources about bunny care. It’s important to understand that bunnies are not just Christmas gifts; they require a lot of commitment, like cats and dogs. They need a proper living environment, not just a small pet store cage. For more information, check my segment on free roaming. Bunnies need love, attention, and they come with many ongoing expenses. They thrive with constant mental stimulation and do best in pairs or groups.

Something unknown about bunnies is that they are not just a short term commitment, they can live usually between 8-12 years depending on the breed. This is one of they many reasons why bunnies cannot just be bought on a whim and then forgotten about.

Space

Bunnies need at least 3m x 2m x 1m to allow them to run and jump. They should not be kept in cages as this is cruel and means they cannot exert any energy and may end up depressed and unhealthy. If this is unattainable then I would maybe consider if a rabbit is the right animal for you.

Enrichment

Rabbits need a steady flow of enrichment to keep their brains busy and to keep them entertained. A lack of this can cause boredom which can lead to depression and anxiety. Enrichment can be expensive and so any bunny owners do need to take that into account when budgeting for your rabbit.

Food

Rabbits need a constant source of hay, day and night, this can be costly as they go through it very quickly. Also for a balanced diet they need fresh vegetables every day as well as the appropriate rabbit pellets read my post on Diet for more information.

Litter Training

When you first get your rabbit, they most likely wont be litter trained, meaning that there will be a lot of accidents around the house, this will change as time goes on. After your bunny gets neutered or spayed they will be much more able to learn fully and have very few accidents. This can take time as it is advised to wait at least four months for the male bunnies to get neutered and five to six for the females. In this time if you are likely to get annoyed by the mess, rabbits may not be the animal for you.

Spaying and Neutering

Spaying and neutering are procedures aimed at the de-sexing of rabbits, thereby preventing reproduction. It is crucial for rabbits to undergo this process for various significant reasons. Primarily, to prevent unwanted pregnancies, and secondarily, these procedures contribute to behavioral improvements, facilitating effective litter training. It is a misconception to assume that one rabbit can remain unfixed; doing so is unjust to the animal. In males, not being neutered leads to persistent mounting behaviors towards other rabbits, which are unlikely to subside. For females, spaying is imperative, as the failure to do so greatly increases their risk of developing reproductive cancers, which can be fatal. Statistically, approximately 40% of unneutered female rabbits will develop tumors by the age of two, with this risk doubling by six years of age. This is something you have to consider before getting a bunny as it can be costly and if you are not able to do this, you should find an animal that doesn’t have these added expenses as it is unfair to your bunny.