The care of a pet rabbit entails the same requirements as most other pets. Food, water, shelter, grooming, vet care, socialization - all of these are simple needs to keep a pet rabbit safe, healthy, and content. Before bringing a rabbit into your life, you may want to learn about the special needs of rabbits. A rabbit can live for many years with proper care and detail given to those special needs.
Housing
Housing will be dependent upon where the rabbit will live. Rabbits can be easily litter-box trained and are becoming extremely popular as a house pet. Even if you decide to keep your bunny indoors, your pet will need a cage. Rabbits are notorious for their destructive behavior caused by their constant need to chew. When you are unable to supervise, a cage is a safe alternative for not only your rabbit but also your furniture.
An indoor cage should be large enough for your rabbit to move around in and hold all of her basic necessities including food and water bowls, a nesting box, and a litter-box. Accidents will happen so the bottom of the cage should have a removable slide for easy cleaning. Since bowls are easily dumped and can also become a game for your rabbit, a water bottle attached to the side of the cage may be a better alternative.
Any area inside your home that your rabbit will have access to should be rabbit-proofed. If you don't want it chewed, remove it from the area. This includes books, furniture, and especially cords. Rabbits will also nibble on baseboards and carpeting. Having extra rabbit toys available can minimize the damage to your personal belongings.
Outdoor rabbits will need special attention given to their housing. These furry mammals are susceptible to extreme weather temperatures. They can tolerate cool weather much better than the heat. A large hutch should be provided for your outdoor rabbit. The bottom of the hutch should either have a removable tray on the bottom for easy cleaning or the bottom of the hutch should be partially made from small-holed wiring so waste can drop to the ground. The waste will need removed on a regular basis to prevent flies and disease.
The hutch should be placed in a draft-free, shaded area. During the heat of the summer, your rabbit will need to be kept cool and preferably brought indoors. Cooling fans and frozen water bottles can help keep your pet cooler when the mercury rises. Again, the hutch should have all of your rabbit's necessities such as food and water bowls and a nesting box. If the bottom of the hutch is wire, place something inside the hutch so that your rabbit has a solid place to relax on.
Diet and Nutrition
Rabbits are strict herbivores and should never be given any type of meat. Rabbit pellets are generally preferred by rabbit owners for the convenience. However, hay is an important part of a rabbit's diet due to the fiber needed by a rabbit's digestive system. Timothy hay should be offered at all times and hays such as alfalfa should be limited. A lack of fiber in a rabbit's diet can lead to digestive problems and hairballs.
Along with hay, rabbits can be given fresh fruits and vegetables. Fruits should be limited to one teaspoon per day and approximately two cups of fresh vegetables per day. If providing pellets, a rabbit should be given approximately 1/4 to 1/2 cup of pellets each day depending upon their size and age in addition to their hay.
There are many foods that are unsafe for rabbits to consume. Iceberg lettuce is unsuitable as it has no nutrients and can cause diarrhea if given in large amounts. Vegetables of choice include carrot tops, endive, radicchio, and dandelion greens (not flowers). Carrots, chard, spinach, and beet tops are also appropriate but only in limited amounts.
Owners enjoy giving their rabbits treats but these should be limited as they increase the chances of obesity. Treats can include apples, melon, and strawberries. Do not allow your rabbit to eat the seeds from fruits or vegetables as some (like apple seeds) are toxic.
Vegetables should be thoroughly washed to remove pesticides before being given to your rabbit. To be safe, avoid any commercial foods that contain refined chemicals, preservatives, and food coloring. Refined carbohydrates can lead to toxic levels of bacterial growth and excessive gas in the rabbit's system.
Handling
An un-socialized rabbit doesn't make a good pet. However, rabbits would just prefer to not be handled at all. Rabbits are easily harmed when handled incorrectly. Rabbits should never be picked up by the scruff without supporting the lower body and should never be pulled up by the ears. The safest position to pick a rabbit up is in the "cradle" position. Use your arms and move under the rabbit thus allowing the weight of the rabbit on your arm while pulling the rabbit towards your body.
Grooming
Rabbits do not need baths and doing so can cause unneeded stress to the rabbit. Rabbits are self-groomers and should only need regular brushing with a grooming brush. During a grooming session, you will need to clean the ears and approximately every 4 to 6 weeks, the nails will also need trimmed. If your rabbit has gotten debris matted into the fur, it can either be trimmed away or be dampened with water and rubbed out.
Although there are recommendations for giving a rabbit a bath, I have not had to fully bathe a rabbit in my 20 years of caring for them. Unless your rabbit has been doused from an oil slick, fully immersing a rabbit into a sink of water should not be needed. A wet rabbit is a stressed rabbit and stress tends to bring out illness in these unique creatures.
Medical Needs
By most veterinarian standards, a rabbit is considered an exotic pet. You should find a qualified vet for your pet long before illness or injury occurs. You should ask questions and feel comfortable that the vet you choose has experience with the needs of rabbits, not just "animals" in general. Most importantly, your vet should know which antibiotics are safe for your pet as there are several that can be deadly to a rabbit.
While this information only covers the basics of caring for a pet rabbit, it should give new owners an idea of where to start with ownership. Along your journey of rabbit ownership, you may want to research the different diseases and ailments that rabbits are prone to contracting. You will want to learn about the many plants that are toxic to these animals as well as the behavioral issues that you might encounter. Just like with any new pet, a rabbit has needs and by supplying these basic necessities, your rabbit will provide you with many years of extraordinary companionship.