What do indoor rabbits need

Access to the outdoors Rabbits should have regular access to a secure outside area. Company Rabbits are very sociable and if they are kept alone they will miss the company of other rabbits. House-training rabbits Rabbits are very clean animals and it's easier than you might think to litter train them. Our top tips for litter training are: Provide a litter box.

This can be a large cat litter box with low sides, or a shallow plastic storage box. Remember to get something without a lid and make sure it is at least twice as long as your bunny. Put it in your rabbits' main home area, ideally in the location they already toilet in. Use the right litter. Some types of litter can be harmful to bunnies so avoid ones that are scented, clay-based or clumping. You should also try to avoid wood shavings or pine pellets.

Paper pellets are a good option, as is shredded paper or straw. You'll only need a thin layer of litter at the bottom. Plan for accidents. Limit the area your rabbits have access to though keep the minimum space recommended above until they've got the hang of litter training. You might want to consider putting a lot of newspaper down for them in the first few weeks. If your bunny has an accident make sure you clean it up straight away.

This will help stop your rabbit from going in the same place again. Pay attention to your bunnies. This will mean you can better understand where they like going to the toilet and put litter trays there until they start using them regularly.

Watch your bunnies to see where they are toileting most and move litter trays to these places. Leave a few poo pellets in the tray. To get your bunnies used to using the tray, instead of binning their poo pellets done elsewhere, pop them in the tray where you want them to go.

This will make it easier for them to understand that this is where they should go to poop. You can also do this with their urine- if they've weed on some newspaper, pop that in the bottom of the tray. Don't punish your rabbit. You should never punish your rabbit, even if you think they're not really getting the hang of it. They won't understand why they're being told off and they can become afraid of you. They will come around with consistency and perseverance. Older rabbits may be more challenging to train than younger ones but if you stick at it they'll learn.

Homemade toys Boredom in bunnies can be stressful, and stress can lead to illness or unwanted behaviours. You guys are awesome! We are so happy to have now found our bird Buddy a fantastic vet service.

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Download PDF. Free-range This is when rabbits are given the run of most or all of the house. Flooring This should be solid and easy to clean. Furniture Wild rabbits live in underground burrows, so having a safe hiding spot is important for your indoor bunnies. Food and Water Dishes Food and water should be provided in bowls that easily washable, flat and wide. You can also feed dried fruits, but should reduce to one third of the normal amount because they are so concentrated.

Bananas and grapes are not recommended because rabbits can get hooked on these foods and may not want to eat anything else. Pellets also do not promote normal tooth wear, and the lack of chewing may lead to behavioural problems.

The lack of water content could also result in urinary tract disease. It is also not necessary to feed a healthy rabbit vitamins or other nutritional supplements because they will consume it in their diets, if fed properly. Misuse of these supplements can lead to severe medical issues. WATER should be available at all times for your bunny and changed daily.

A dirty water container can be a breeding ground for bacteria. You can use either a water bottle or a heavy bowl secured to the side of the cage to avoid tipping. Cages should be kept in a cool and well-ventilated area. If the area is too hot, the rabbit can potentially suffer from fatal heat stroke. Rabbits can be caged outdoors, although it is not ideal. If they are going to be outside, they will require shelter from precipitation and extreme temperatures.

They should be safe from predators like dogs, coyotes and raccoons. The cage should be kept clean to not attract parasitic insects. In the winter, straw bedding can be used as insulation.

The water bowl should be changed daily, especially in the winter when it can freeze. Pet rabbits should never be kept in a cage at all times. They need daily exercise to stay healthy, and to prevent physical or behavioural disorders. The pen should be at least 3 feet tall. This will keep the rabbit away from furniture, electrical cords and toxic materials around the house. You can also place a pen outside to allow the rabbit access to grassy areas, but never leave them outside unsupervised.

If you do allow the bunny to freely roam the house, you should first rabbit-proof the area. Block all escape routes out of the home, and cover or block all electrical cords. You can also cover your furniture to protect it from teeth or claws. Restrict the rabbit to a small area and place a litter box in the corner, preferably where the rabbit has already chosen to go to the bathroom. Sides should be low enough so the rabbit can get in and out without difficulty.

You can place some droppings in the litter box to encourage the bunny to use it, as well as some hay. Rabbits tend to pass stools while eating.

There should be one more litter box provided than the number of rabbits in the home.