Rabbits are increasingly popular pets, but unfortunately, they are often misunderstood and neglected, but because many people are unaware of their complex needs. Like all animals, rabbits have five basic welfare requirements that must be met to ensure they thrive. The Rabbit Welfare Association & Fund explore these needs and cover how you can provide the best care for your little hoppers!
1. The Right Food and Fresh Water
At first glance, providing food and water seems simple, but it's often where many rabbit owners go wrong. Rabbits have continuously growing teeth, which they’ve evolved to wear down by chewing fibrous, low-energy foods like grass and hay. To maintain their dental health, they need to spend plenty of time eating and chewing hay or grass. Without sufficient hay and grass, their teeth can overgrow, leading to painful dental conditions.
To ensure your rabbits stay healthy, provide unlimited access to high-quality hay and restrict pellet servings to no more than 15g per kg per day. Freshly picked forage and a variety of safe vegetables are excellent additions to their diet.
It’s equally important to offer fresh water at all times. While bottles may seem convenient, bowls are generally easier for rabbits to access and less likely to become blocked. Multiple, regularly refreshed bowls will ensure your rabbits always have access to hydration. It is easiest to remember that a rabbits’ diet should be:
- 85% hay or grass
- 10% greens
- 5% pellets
2. The Right Environment
Sadly, many rabbits are still kept in hutches. Even a large hutch is not enough! Rabbits need space to move freely and express natural behaviours. As dawn and dusk are their peak activity times, rabbits should have unrestricted access to their exercise area at all hours. The minimum size for their area should be 3m x 2mx 1m, and it should be safe and predator proof. This is for 2 average sized rabbits, if you have more rabbits, or giant breeds, you will need to provide more space.
Consider adding tunnels, hideouts, and elevated areas where they can lounge or observe their surroundings. A bit of creativity will make their home more interesting and stimulating.
3. The Need to Express Natural Behaviour
Rabbits are playful and curious creatures with strong instincts to dig, run, hide, and forage. Even if they’re in a lovely big safe area, they’ll still want to dig. While this behaviour might be inconvenient for your garden, you can offer a designated digging area by filling planters with soil or creating a sunken pond with earth. This allows them to express their digging instincts without damaging your lawn. Even indoor rabbits benefit from having a place to dig and explore. They also like to hide, so provide hiding places with two exits so that they never feel trapped. And don’t forget eating! Eating and foraging takes up the biggest part of their waking hours! This is why hay or grass is so essential, because it keeps them busy too.
4. The Need to Be With or Without Other Animals
As prey animals, rabbits are naturally social and feel safer and happier when in the company of other rabbits. Never keep a rabbit alone—companionship is essential for their emotional well-being. Rabbits bond closely, often grooming and cuddling for warmth and comfort. The ideal pairing is a neutered male and neutered female, but other combinations can work as well.
5. The Need to Be Protected from Pain, Injury, and Disease
Rabbits are susceptible to certain diseases, so it’s crucial to protect them with vaccinations against myxomatosis and Rabbit Viral Haemorrhagic Disease (RVHD). Talk to your vet about the appropriate vaccination schedule to ensure their protection. They should also be neutered for behavioural reasons, to enable them to live together, and to prevent health conditions like cancer. You should do a weekly MOT check of your rabbits, look for clean dry eyes, mouth and bottom. If you notice that they are not eating, or there is a change in their poo they need a vet straight away. Make sure you have a rabbit friendly vet!
Final Thoughts
If you’re considering bringing rabbits into your home, take a moment to reflect on whether you can meet their needs. These intelligent, social creatures require more than just food and water—they need space, companionship, and enrichment to lead a healthy, happy life. Rabbits are far from the simple pets many assume them to be, so make sure you’re ready for the responsibility. You can read more about their needs in the Codes of Practice, which are agreed by all experts.
For more expert advice on rabbit care, visit the Rabbit Welfare Fund and Association’s website. Here’s to your happy hoppers!