Rabbit Care Guide

1. What it is and what it covers

Rabbit care covers the daily welfare needs of pet rabbits^★, including food, housing, exercise, companionship, health monitoring, enrichment and safe handling.

2. Key facts and specifications

Rabbits are social animals, need a diet based mainly on hay/grass, and require enough space to exercise and behave normally. RSPCA guidance highlights the importance of companionship, safe housing and monitoring eating and droppings.

3. Practical guidance

Establish consistent feeding, cleaning, exercise and health-check routines. Provide hiding places, enrichment and access to compatible rabbit companionship.

4. Suitability, choices and limitations

Needs vary with age, size, health, coat and environment. Indoor and outdoor rabbits require different hazard controls, but both need the same basic welfare needs met.

5. UK-specific considerations

Use current RSPCA guidance for UK rabbit welfare and consult a vet for health or diet concerns.

6. Safety, risks and cautions

Reduced eating or droppings can be an emergency. Keep rabbits away from toxic substances, unsafe wires, predators, extreme heat and damp or draughty housing.

7. Current sources and research

The current British Rabbit Council resource was used for breed terminology, breed-group context and current UK rabbit-breed information. Current RSPCA guidance was used for the welfare baseline covering diet, housing, companionship, enrichment and health.