YOUR RABBIT'S IDEAL HOME

PET CARE | FURRIES |

Did you know your home can affect your rabbit’s behaviour? Find out how your rabbit would design their ideal home

So maybe rabbits don't make the best architects but here are some easy, practical ways of making your home and garden bunny friendly and keeping your pet healthy and happy:      

1. Natural grazing behaviour – Rabbits naturally graze and forage for their food. You can encourage this natural behaviour by scattering hay, leafy vegetables and specialist rabbit food. By concealing the food in hidden places, like inside an empty toilet roll or a rabbit feeding toy, you can encourage foraging. Also use protected wire to hang green vegetation in high places.

 

2. Interior design – Rabbits are used to jumping around in the outdoors and spending time underground. Help your rabbit feel at home by putting small cardboard boxes and tubes in the hutch

 

3. Bunny boudoir – Unlike us, rabbits are mostly active at dawn and dusk which means they often sleep during the day. Replicate their natural underground environment by keeping their sleeping area dark and cosy. Rabbits can also use this area as a hide out when they feel threatened 

 

4. Keeping cool – Rabbits don’t like being in direct sunlight, so make sure they have plenty of shade during the day, especially in hot weather. During cold weather, plenty of bedding food and hay will help your rabbit stay warm.

 

5. Playground paradise – Our furry friends need space to graze and explore. They should be let out of their cage for exercise each day

 

6. We need cuddles – You should gently handle your rabbit as often as possible so it can get used to human contact. Daily contact can prevent timid or aggressive behaviour but don’t forget to support the bottom when holding your rabbit so it doesn’t injure its back

 

7. Keeping company – Rabbits are social creatures. Try to keep them in pairs with the opposite sex (after neutering). This can also reduce the risk of the rabbit becoming aggressive towards their owners

 

8. Healthy diet – Rabbits needs a healthy diet which can be found in high quality specialist small animal foods. A good supply of hay or dried or fresh grass must always be available for environmental enrichment and healthy teeth. And don’t forget to give them fresh water daily and read the feeding guidelines on the pet food packet.

 9. Puberty blues – Male rabbits often exhibit aggressive behaviour in their adolescence. This is a good time to consider having your rabbit neutered. (Please ask your vet for more information)
 

10. Toileting tray – Rabbits generally choose a specific area as their toileting space. To train them to use a certain area, place dirty bedding in a tray and reward their behaviour with a treat. Clean your rabbit cage out daily and keep your rabbit’s bottom clean to prevent fly strike, which is a risk, particularly in summer