Congratulations on welcoming your new rabbit into your family.
Getting a rabbit is an exciting time and there is a lot for you and your rabbit to learn.
Rabbits are very sociable animals so it is best to have a pair so that your rabbit is not lonely.
The old approach of having rabbits and Guinea Pigs together is no longer generally recommended – the best buddy for a rabbit is another rabbit.
If your rabbit is going to live outside he/she will need a strong, secure, waterproof hutch where he/she will be protected from wind, rain or snow
These are readily available to buy but would make an excellent project for the DIY fiend in the house! In the winter the hutch should be moved to
a sheltered place such as a shed or garage (although not if the garage is used for cars). In the summer as well as the hutch, your rabbit will need
a secure outside area or run so that they can explore. Remember rabbits like to burrow, so when deciding where to put your run, as well as making
sure your rabbits cannot climb out also consider if they could dig an escape tunnel!
Rabbits like to snuggle down where they feel safe, so it is a good idea to make sure the hutch as a separate 'bedroom' and living area.
Place lots of clean dry straw or hay in the 'bedroom' – rabbits like to make their own bed and will also happily snack on their bedding.
Make sure the straw/hay is not dusty as this will irritate your rabbit's eyes and nose – if it makes you sneeze it will probably make your rabbit sneeze.
Hay or straw can be used in the living area as well. Vacuum packed bedding is a little more expensive but worth it for the lower dust levels.
Choose a sturdy bowl for your rabbit's food ‐ they like to dig through their food, and will often pick up a bowl and toss the food around.
This is not a sign that they don't like the food offered. Choose a bowl that will not break readily if treated in this way. Clean water should
be available all the time. Given the tendency for some rabbits to throw bowls around, a water bottle is often better, but make sure it is at a
comfortable height for your rabbit to drink.
As soon as you have your new rabbit it is advisable to arrange a check up with one of our vets so that you can make sure there are no problems
and also to talk about what care your rabbit will need. Your rabbit will have a full examination including eyes, ears, teeth, heart, tummy, legs and feet,
and will also be weighed. We will discuss what to feed, worming treatment, and when to start vaccinations. This is also a good opportunity to check
whether your rabbit is male or female, particularly if you have a pair.
After all rabbits breed like .. . .rabbits!
