How to Care for a Bunny: A Practical Daily Guide

Good rabbit care supports natural behaviors such as hopping, exploring, chewing, and resting in a sheltered spot. Before bringing a bunny home, prepare its space and find a veterinarian experienced with rabbits. Rabbits are social, sensitive animals with specific needs; a small cage and a bowl of pellets alone are not enough.

What You’ll Need

A roomy indoor exercise pen or rabbit-safe room, plus a solid resting area and hideout.
Grass hay, such as timothy or orchard hay, and a heavy water bowl or bottle. A bowl is often easy to drink from; check whichever option you use frequently.
A litter box, rabbit-safe paper-based litter, and a hay rack or hay area near the box.
A measured supply of plain rabbit pellets and appropriate leafy greens; ask a rabbit-savvy veterinarian about portions for your rabbit’s age and condition.
Chew-safe toys, a carrier, a soft brush, and cleaning supplies that are safe for animals.
Electrical-cord covers and barriers for furniture, houseplants, and other hazards in the rabbit’s roaming area.

Step-by-Step

Set up a secure home. Choose a quiet indoor space with room for your rabbit to stand upright, stretch out, hop several times, and use separate areas for resting and toileting. An exercise pen or rabbit-proofed room generally offers more usable space than a small cage. Provide a hideout with more than one opening if possible, a nonslip resting surface, and protection from direct sun, drafts, and overheating. Rabbits should not be left outdoors unsupervised or in an exposed hutch.
Rabbit-proof the area. Cover or move electrical cords, block access to toxic plants, and protect baseboards and furniture from chewing. Remove small objects that could be swallowed, and check gaps behind appliances or under furniture. Supervise exploration until you know what your rabbit can reach. Provide safe items to chew, such as untreated, rabbit-safe wood toys, rather than expecting a rabbit not to chew.
Make hay and water available at all times. Offer unlimited grass hay and replace it when it becomes soiled or stale. Hay supports normal chewing and digestion. Keep fresh water available around the clock in a stable bowl or a properly working bottle; wash and refill it daily and check that the spout is not blocked. Do not substitute treats or pellets for hay.
Feed a suitable, consistent diet. Provide rabbit pellets and fresh leafy greens in appropriate amounts, with guidance from a veterinarian familiar with rabbits. Introduce new greens gradually, one at a time, and watch for changes in droppings or appetite. Avoid sudden diet changes. Do not offer chocolate, sugary snacks, bread, or foods intended for other pets. Fruit and starchy vegetables are not everyday staples.
Set up and clean a litter area. Place a litter box where your rabbit tends to toilet, with rabbit-safe paper litter and hay nearby. Scoop soiled litter and remove wet hay each day; wash the box regularly. Avoid clumping cat litter, clay litter, and strongly scented products. A few stray droppings can happen, especially during adjustment, but persistent changes in urination or stool warrant a veterinarian’s advice.
Handle gently and build trust. Sit on the floor and let the rabbit approach. Pet gently if it welcomes contact. If you must lift it, support both the chest and hindquarters and hold it close to your body; never lift by the ears or scruff, or let the hind legs dangle. Many rabbits dislike being picked up, so use a carrier for transport and keep handling brief and calm.
Offer exercise and enrichment every day. Give supervised time in a safe area to hop, explore, forage, and play. Rotate chew toys and offer simple activities, such as hiding a few pellets in a safe toy or scattering greens in a clean, accessible spot. Keep tunnels and play items stable, and remove anything damaged or small enough to swallow.
Check your rabbit and arrange veterinary care. Notice daily whether your rabbit is eating, drinking, moving, and producing droppings as usual. Schedule routine wellness visits with a veterinarian experienced in rabbits, and ask about preventive care and spay or neuter options for your individual pet. Keep a secure carrier ready for travel.

Common Mistakes

Relying on pellets: Pellets do not replace unlimited grass hay. Too many pellets or treats can crowd out hay and upset a balanced routine.
Keeping a rabbit in a cramped cage: Rabbits need daily space to move freely, not just brief handling outside a small enclosure.
Assuming rabbits are low-maintenance: They need daily feeding, cleaning, social attention, and a safe environment. They can also chew cords and other household items quickly.
Picking up or restraining unnecessarily: Rabbits can panic and injure themselves when held poorly. Let them approach and support the whole body when lifting.
Waiting out a change in appetite: Rabbits can become seriously unwell when they stop eating or their droppings change. Contact a veterinarian promptly rather than trying home remedies.

Tips

Keep the feeding and cleaning routine predictable; rabbits often feel safer when daily activities happen calmly and consistently.
Place hay beside or in the litter area to encourage use of the box while eating.
Use a carrier that opens from the top or front, and leave it accessible with a familiar blanket so it is less alarming when needed.
Keep notes on normal eating, drinking, and litter habits. Knowing what is usual makes changes easier to notice.
Ask a rabbit-savvy veterinarian before changing food, introducing unfamiliar plants, or making care decisions for a very young, elderly, or unwell rabbit.

Troubleshooting

Your rabbit avoids the litter box: Add a box where it already tends to go, keep it clean, and make hay easy to reach there. Check that the box is easy to enter and that the area feels quiet and secure. If toileting habits change suddenly, contact a veterinarian.
Your rabbit chews furniture or cords: Block access immediately, cover cords, and provide safe chew toys. Supervise roaming and expand access only after you have checked the area thoroughly.
Your rabbit hides or resists contact: Give it a quiet hideout and spend calm time nearby at floor level. Do not pull it out or chase it. If the behavior is sudden or comes with a change in eating, movement, or droppings, call a veterinarian.
Your rabbit stops eating, produces far fewer or no droppings, seems weak, has trouble breathing, or appears in pain: Contact a veterinarian or emergency veterinary clinic immediately. Do not wait to see whether it improves and do not give human medicines or attempt treatment without veterinary direction.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a bunny live outdoors?

Indoor housing is generally safer and makes it easier to notice changes in behavior or health. Outdoor conditions can expose rabbits to predators, temperature extremes, and other hazards; never leave a rabbit outdoors unsupervised.

What should a bunny eat every day?

Unlimited grass hay and fresh water should always be available. Suitable leafy greens and plain rabbit pellets can be part of the diet, in amounts appropriate to the individual rabbit; ask a rabbit-experienced veterinarian for guidance.

Do rabbits need a companion?

Rabbits are social, but introductions must be managed carefully. Ask a rabbit-savvy veterinarian or qualified rabbit rescue about whether a compatible companion is suitable and how to introduce rabbits safely.

How often should I clean a rabbit’s litter box?

Remove soiled litter and wet hay daily, and wash the box regularly. Clean more often if it becomes wet or dirty so the area stays comfortable and hygienic.

Can I bathe my bunny?

Do not give a routine full bath; rabbits can become frightened and chilled. If your rabbit is dirty or cannot groom itself, ask a veterinarian how to handle the situation safely.

When should I call a veterinarian?

Call promptly for any sudden change in eating, droppings, movement, breathing, or behavior, and for suspected injury or poisoning. Find a veterinarian experienced with rabbits before an urgent problem occurs.

Further reading: House Rabbit Society. Details can change, so check the official page for anything that matters to you. Spotted a mistake? Tell us. How we write an answer.