How to Raise Bunnies

Bunnies should be kept in certain conditions when being raised.

Rabbits should be kept in pairs. Companionship is the key to welfare of rabbits. Rabbits are naturally very much of social creatures, a fact that doesn’t change just because they are kept as pets. They get lonely and depressed without a companion.

Rabbits need an appropriate diet. Fibre, in the form of hay and grass, is the most vital food for rabbits – it’s essential for their digestive health, and they can die without it. In addition, a small daily amount of green veg is good. A diet based solely on vegetables, fruit and carrots does not provide all the nutrients that rabbits need, leaving them malnourished.

Rabbits kept as pets should be offered shelter and hiding places - rabbits feel threatened with open spaces without any protection. Predators such as dogs may scare rabbits because they are prey species.

In the wild, rabbits have plenty to keep them occupied, from foraging to reproduction to territorial defence. That’s why Captive rabbits often lack stimulation, which can lead to behavioural problems and poor health. Just like humans, they need to be kept physically and mentally active. A rabbit’s natural environment can be imitated by providing enrichment such as tunnels and platforms for climbing, tree stumps, twigs, suitable toys, and places to hide such as cardboard boxes.

Digging is a rabbit’s favorite pastime, both wild and domesticated. By providing digging substitutes, such as a sand or earth pit, rabbits kept as pets will be able to dig away without damaging your garden or escaping.

Much like humans, rabbits become bored of seeing the same environment for a long time, so they should be introduced to new scenery occasionally. However, too much change can also have bad effects. A wild rabbit’s survival depends on an intimate knowledge of its surroundings in order to escape from predators, so structural changes to the “warren” of a rabbit kept as a pet should be kept subtle, such as changing their toys and regularly providing new ones.

It’s incredibly beneficial for rabbits kept as pets to start interacting with people, other rabbits and also other pets such as cats and dogs from an early age. Familiarity with other species will help rabbits develop into friendly and confident adults.

Exposing them to normal everyday sights and sounds is also important, so they’re relaxed and happy in their environments.

Rabbits can also be trained to keep them active and healthy. Being active reduces the risk of rabbits becoming overweight, as well as providing physical and mental stimulation.