LEARNING TIME!

RABBIT ADOPTION GUIDE

Our how-to guide to ensure a smooth transition for your new best furry friend

Congratulations on your new friend!

Your decision to choose rescue will bring you so much joy, with an extra layer knowing you saved their life. Rabbits are wonderful creatures that make fabulous pets for both adults and kids alike. Their sweet little personalities will provide hours of entertainment. 

Many, but not all, of our rabbits have come from homes where they haven’t been properly cared for. This guide is to ensure you have all the information about habitat, diet, and behaviour to ensure your new rabbit friend is a happy little bun bun.

BUNNY’S FIRST DAY

Bringing your new rabbit home is an exciting moment, but it’s essential to ensure a smooth transition for your furry friend. It’s a whole new world for them, and as a prey animal, they can get stressed.

Give them some time to adjust without handling them for at least a week. During this period, focus on providing fresh water, hay, and a balanced diet to keep them healthy. If you have an existing rabbit you will need a strong bonding plan, please let us know so we can help you prepare one.

Be patient, watch their interactions, and ensure there’s no aggression. As they settle in and grow more comfortable, gradually introduce gentle interactions to build trust, nurturing a happy and harmonious bond with your new furry companions.

Below is a list of recommendations of things to keep in mind when creating a happy life for your new bestie!

HOUSING

Rabbits should always be housed indoors in a generous and safe enclosure. Indoor housing is preferred for several important reasons:

Safety from Predators

 Keeping rabbits indoors protects them from potential predators such as foxes, birds of prey, and even neighbourhood cats and dogs. This greatly reduces the risk of harm and stress.

Temperature Control

Rabbits are sensitive to extreme temperatures. Indoors, you can maintain a stable, comfortable environment, protecting them from the dangers of both excessive heat and cold.

Disease Prevention

Indoor rabbits are less exposed to diseases carried by wild animals, insects, and other outdoor hazards. This helps in maintaining their overall health and well-being.

Protection from Elements

 Indoors, rabbits are shielded from adverse weather conditions such as rain, snow, and strong winds, ensuring they stay dry and comfortable.

SPACE REQUIREMENTS

Ensure they have a secure, comfortable enclosure with sufficient space. Remember, when it comes to enclosure size, bigger is better, and the more rabbits you have together, the more space they need. For 2 rabbits they need 6sqm minimum. They need to be able to stretch their backs, so ensure enclosures have a minimum 1m height.

Examples of good setups:

Creating a Comfortable Environment

Rabbits love to hide and should be provided with lots of ‘caves’ and ‘tunnel’ items. Cardboard boxes can be used to create elaborate setups, and PVC pipes are reusable and easy to clean. Most owners will line their enclosure with newspapers as well as a more absorptive substrate such as paper kitty litter or hay (or both!). Sawdust is not an appropriate substrate as it can cause respiratory irritation. Similarly, wire and hard flooring can lead to painful sores developing on their feet. Rabbits love to poop, and their space requires regular cleaning to keep it sanitary and safe. You can find guides about toilet training online, and some levels of training can be achieved with patience!

✅ At least 6 square metres of usable space

✅ Hutches only as an add-on, not primary housing

✅ Unlimited access to fresh hay at all times

✅ Multiple places to hide and rest

✅ Soft, supportive flooring throughout the space

❌ No small cages, wire floors, or bare plastic bases

DIET

Rabbits have a very fast metabolism and a digestive system designed to be constantly processing food. Because of this, they must have food available at all times, especially hay. Going without food for even short periods can cause serious digestive problems.

🌾 Hay

Unlimited hay – available 24/7
Hay should make up the majority of your guinea pig’s diet.

Because rabbits eat little and often, constant access to hay:

  • Supports healthy digestion

  • Keeps teeth worn down naturally

  • Prevents gut stasis

Best choices:

  • ✅ Oaten hay

  • ✅ Grass hay

Hay must always be fresh, clean, and stored hygienically.

🥣 Pellets (Optional)

✅ Pellets are not essential, but can be offered in small amounts

✔️ About 1 tablespoon per bunny per day

✔️ Chooserrabbit specific pellets

❌ Avoid anything labelled Rabbit & Guinea Pig, stick to good brands like Oxbow

❌ Pellets should never replace hay

❌ Overfeeding pellets can lead to obesity and dental issues

🥬 Vegetables & Greens (Daily)

Vegetables provide vitamin C and variety, but should always be secondary to hay.  Like us, they require a variety of vegetables, fruits and herbs to ensure they are provided with all the essential vitamins and minerals they need to stay happy and healthy.

Good daily choices:

✅ Cos lettuce

✅ Asian greens

✅ Capsicum (excellent vitamin C source)

✅ Herbs such as parsley and coriander

⚠️ Don’t overdo oxalates

Foods like spinach and kale are high in oxalates

❌ Too much may contribute to bladder stones

✅ Offer only occasionally, not daily

🍎 Fruit and colourful vegetables

✅ Treats only (small amounts, 1–2 times per week)

❌ Too much sugar can upset their gut

FOODS TO AVOID

🚫 Avoid lucerne (alfalfa) hay

❌ Too high in calcium and protein

❌ Can contribute to bladder stones

✔️ Lucerne is only suitable for babies, pregnant, or nursing bunnies

🚫 No Seeds or Grains – Ever

❌ Seeds, grains, nuts, and mixes marketed for “small animals” are not suitable for rabbits

❌ Rabbits cannot digest seeds or grains properly

❌ Can cause choking, gut problems, and obesity

❌ Often contain added sugars and fillers

✅ Rabbits are herbivores, not seed eaters

Note: We know the pet store will try to sell you them, just avoid!

HANDLING

Rabbits are prey animals, meaning they can get nervous and scared when being handled. They do, however, adapt very quickly and, with lots of snacks and love, can become incredibly social creatures.

Always ensure your rabbit feels supported and safe. Using a towel underneath when holding them can really help. When small children are interacting with rabbits, it’s important to supervise closely and teach them to sit on the floor with the rabbit, ensuring a calm and controlled environment where the rabbit cannot fall or get hurt.

BEHAVIOUR

Rabbits are expressive little critters, and as you get to know them, you will start to understand their various behaviours and body language. They are social creatures who may be nervous and skittish at first. However, with gentle handling and bribery in the form of delicious snacks, they will become an interactive and social part of the family.

Rabbits communicate through a range of behaviours:

Thumping: This is a sign of alarm or annoyance.
Binkying: When a rabbit leaps and twists in the air, it’s a sign of joy and excitement.
Nudging: They may nudge you with their nose to get your attention or to investigate.
Chinning: Rabbits have scent glands under their chins and will rub them on objects to mark their territory.

Building trust with your rabbit is crucial. Spend time sitting quietly near them, allowing them to come to you on their own terms. Gradually introduce gentle petting and handling, always supporting their body properly to make them feel secure. Over time, with patience and lots of tasty treats, your rabbit will become a beloved and sociable member of the family.

FRIENDS

Rabbits should be kept in pairs or groups as they are very sociable, friendly creatures. The ideal combination is a male and female desexed pair (or more), as this helps prevent aggressive behaviours and unwanted breeding. Undesexed males can become aggressive toward each other and may exhibit mounting behaviour, which can cause stress and injury.

It is crucial not to house rabbits with guinea pigs. They have differing dietary requirements, and rabbits have powerful back legs that can easily cause trauma to a guinea pig. Additionally, their communication styles and social needs are different, leading to potential conflicts.

While rabbits can live in a house with other animals such as cats and dogs, it depends on the characteristics of your other pets. Always supervise interactions between your rabbit and other animals, especially during the initial stages of introduction. Ensure that all animals are comfortable and safe, and be prepared to separate them if necessary to prevent stress or injury.

HEALTH & VACCINATIONS

In Australia, rabbits may receive an annual calicivirus vaccination for added protection if they’re exposed to outdoor environments where the disease is prevalent. Alongside, regular health checks are recommended to monitor your rabbit’s overall well-being, with annual check-ups with your veterinarian being important to assess your rabbit’s health and discuss any concerns you may have. Be vigilant for signs of illness in your rabbit, including decreased appetite, lethargy, abnormal discharge, or changes in behaviour, and seek veterinary care promptly if you notice any of these signs. By staying proactive with vaccinations, regular health checks, and vigilant monitoring, you can help protect your rabbit’s health and well-being.

Now, Have fun!

Rabbits are fantastic companions and have quirky little personalities. They make fabulous pets and make the most beloved companions.

Please contact us if you have any further questions, and be sure to send us updates on how your new pals are getting on!

Thank you again for saving a life.