Bunny Care Guide
Everything a first-time rabbit owner needs to know about nutrition, behaviour, and daily care — all in one place.
8–12 yrs
Lifespan
3–4 hrs
Daily exercise
Pairs
Best kept together
Hay
Main diet
Nutrition & Diet
Hay (80% of diet)
Unlimited fresh grass hay (timothy, meadow, or orchard grass) — the single most important part of a bunny's diet. Keeps their gut moving and teeth worn down.
Fresh Greens (10%)
A daily mix of leafy greens like romaine lettuce, coriander, basil, parsley, and dandelion leaves. Introduce new greens one at a time.
Pellets (5%)
A small measured portion (approx. 25g per kg of body weight) of good-quality plain grass pellets. Avoid muesli-style mixes — rabbits pick out the sugary bits.
Healthy Treats (5%)
Small amounts of fruit (apple, strawberry, blueberry) or root vegetables (carrot). Treats only — high in sugar. Max 1–2 tablespoons per day.
Fresh Water
Always available in a heavy bowl (preferred) or bottle. Change daily and check it hasn't frozen in winter.
Understanding Behaviour
Binkying
A joyful leap and twist mid-air — your bunny is happy and full of energy.
Flopping
Dramatically throwing themselves onto their side means they feel safe and relaxed.
Chinning
Rubbing their chin on objects to mark territory with scent glands — perfectly normal.
Thumping
A loud back-leg thump signals fear or a perceived danger. Check the environment for stressors.
Tooth Purring
Soft, light teeth grinding while being stroked is the bunny equivalent of a cat's purr — contentment.
Grooming You
Licking your hand means trust and affection — you're part of their family.
Things to Do
- Provide a large exercise area — rabbits need at least 3–4 hours of free roaming daily.
- Keep them in pairs or groups — rabbits are highly social and get lonely alone.
- Bunny-proof all cables and baseboards — they love to chew.
- Handle them gently at ground level — their spines are fragile and they can injure themselves if dropped.
- Provide a litter tray — rabbits are naturally clean and easily litter-trained.
- Visit a rabbit-savvy vet for annual check-ups and vaccinations (RHD2 and myxomatosis).
- Offer cardboard boxes and tunnels for hiding, chewing, and enrichment.
Things to Avoid
- Don't feed avocado, chocolate, onions, garlic, or rhubarb — all toxic to rabbits.
- Don't pick them up by the scruff or ears — always support their bottom and chest.
- Don't house them outdoors in hutches without protection from heat, cold, and predators.
- Don't feed muesli-style food or too many carrots — both cause dental and weight problems.
- Don't bathe them — rabbits can go into shock from water; spot-clean only.
- Don't ignore changes in appetite or droppings — a rabbit not eating is a medical emergency (GI stasis).
- Don't use cedar or pine shavings as bedding — the fumes are harmful.
When to see a vet urgently
If your rabbit stops eating, stops producing droppings, or seems lethargic for more than 12 hours, contact a rabbit-savvy vet immediately — it could be GI stasis, which can be fatal within hours.
Housing & Environment
Give your bunny the largest space you can manage — traditional small hutches are not suitable as permanent homes.
Keep them indoors or in a weatherproof, predator-safe shed with attached run. Rabbits are sensitive to heat — anything above 26°C can cause heatstroke.
Provide soft bedding (fleece, hay, or paper-based) and a hiding spot where they can retreat when they need quiet time.
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