Adopting a House Rabbit: What to Expect and How to Prepare

Are you thinking about adopting a house rabbit? A house rabbit is a domesticated indoor rabbit that requires safe housing, daily care, supervised free roam time, and structured nutrition. Adoption involves preparing a living space that supports natural behaviors such as foraging, chewing, and digging. Most indoor rabbits belong to the species Oryctolagus cuniculus domesticus, which includes common breeds like Holland Lop, Mini Rex, and Lionhead.

A house bunny in his litterbox

What are the basic facts about adopting a house rabbit?

A house rabbit is a social, crepuscular mammal with a life expectancy of 8–12 years in an indoor setting.

According to the House Rabbit Society:

• Rabbits form strong social bonds

• Rabbits require mental stimulation and interaction

• Rabbits are most active at dawn and dusk

• Key behaviors include thumping, grooming, and binkying

  
  

Indoor rabbits need consistent human contact and enrichment to stay mentally and physically healthy.

What types of rabbits are commonly adopted as house pets?

Mini Rex, Dutch, Holland Lop, Lionhead, and Flemish Giant are the most commonly adopted breeds for indoor living.

Breed	Weight (lbs)	Grooming Frequency	Notable Attributes
Mini Rex	3.0–4.4	Low	Dense, velvety fur
Holland Lop	2.4–3.5	Medium	Compact body, lop ears
Dutch	4.0–5.5	Low	Distinct color pattern
Lionhead	2.9–3.5	High	Wool mane around head/neck
Flemish Giant	13.0–20.0	Medium	Largest breed, heavy bone mass

Breed attributes influence grooming time, litter box size, and free roam space. Behavior varies individually, not by breed.

How should you prepare your home for a house rabbit?

A lop eared rabbit

To prepare your home, designate a free roam area, block off hazards, and create a secure enclosure.

Key preparation steps:

• Block furniture gaps using wooden barriers or grids

• Cover electrical cords with PVC tubing

• Remove toxic plants (e.g., pothos, lilies, philodendron)

• Use washable rugs for grip and flooring protection

  
  

Rabbits chew baseboards and carpets. Rabbit-proofing prevents injuries and protects furniture while allowing natural behaviors like hopping and digging.

What are the nutritional requirements of house rabbits?

Rabbits need a diet of 80–85% hay, measured pellets, and leafy greens proportionate to body weight.

Nutritional breakdown (based on UC Davis recommendations):

• Hay: Unlimited Timothy or Orchard grass

• Pellets: 18–20% fiber, 0.7–0.9 oz per 5.5 lbs body weight

• Vegetables: 2–3 cups per 5.5 lbs body weight (e.g., romaine, parsley, cilantro, dandelion greens)

• Fruit: Limit to 1 tablespoon/day (e.g., apple, banana)

  
  

Unsafe items: iceberg lettuce, potatoes, chocolate, onions, cereals. Use a heavy ceramic bowl for daily water changes.

What veterinary care do house rabbits require?

Rabbits require yearly exams, spaying or neutering, and regional RHDV2 vaccination.

Core veterinary needs:

• Spaying/neutering prevents cancers and aggression; 80% of unspayed females develop uterine cancer by age 4 (Michigan State University)

• RHDV2 vaccine is essential where viral outbreaks occur

• Dental exams detect overgrowth due to lifelong tooth eruption

  
  

Warning signs of illness: reduced appetite, abnormal droppings, lethargy. GI stasis is the most common emergency and needs urgent treatment.

How do you maintain hygiene for house rabbits?

Rabbit hygiene includes litter box maintenance, grooming, and sanitizing the enclosure.

Daily and weekly hygiene tasks:

• Clean litter box daily using paper-based or compressed wood pellets

• Sanitize enclosure weekly with 1:1 vinegar-water solution

• Brush weekly (short-haired) or daily (long-haired)

• Trim nails every 4–6 weeks

• Wash ceramic water bowls daily

Avoid pine or cedar bedding due to liver-toxic compounds. Ensure a clean, dry, and odor-free space to prevent respiratory or skin infections.

What behaviors should you expect from house rabbits?

House rabbits dig, chew, thump, groom, and mark territory through scent.

Examples of common behaviors:

• Binkying: Jumping and twisting to express joy

• Thumping: Stomping hind feet to signal fear or displeasure

• Chinning: Rubbing objects to mark territory

• Chewing/Digging: Instinctive; redirect with dig boxes and chew toys

A 2018 Journal of Applied Animal Behaviour Science study found enrichment reduced

destructive behavior by 35%. Provide toys like willow balls, hay cubes, and cardboard tunnels.

How can you bond with your house rabbit?

Bonding relies on gentle interaction, patience, and respecting your rabbit’s boundaries.

Steps for building trust:

• Sit on the floor and let the rabbit approach

• Offer treats such as basil or cilantro during calm moments

• Use soft brushes to mimic social grooming

• Avoid loud noises or forced handling

Bonding typically takes 2–8 weeks. Signs of trust include grooming you, lying nearby, and stretched-out body posture.

What supplies do house rabbits require?

Essential supplies include safe enclosures, litter setups, feeding tools, grooming items, and enrichment.

Basic rabbit supply list:

• Exercise pens (36" tall or higher)

• Litter box (cat-sized, low entry)

• Ceramic water bowls (heavy, tip-proof)

• Hay feeder to minimize mess

• Chew toys (cardboard, untreated wood, seagrass)

• Grooming tools (nail clippers, slicker brush)

Cost overview:

Category	Cost (USD)	Frequency
Initial setup	$120–$200	One-time
Food & litter	$30–$50	Monthly
Annual vet exam	$150–$300	Yearly
Toys & grooming items	$10–$20	Monthly

Large breeds like Flemish Giants need reinforced pens and larger litter boxes.

What daily care routine do house rabbits need?

Daily care includes feeding, hygiene, supervised exercise, and health monitoring.

Daily care checklist:

• Replenish hay and fresh water

• Feed greens during morning or early evening

• Clean litter box and check stool output

• Provide 3–5 hours of supervised free roam

• Observe appetite, movement, and behavior

Changes in droppings, posture, or activity may signal illness. Early detection is critical.

What are common mistakes in house rabbit adoption?

Five key mistakes include lack of space, improper diet, no veterinary care, social neglect, and unrealistic expectations.

Common errors:

1. Feeding too many pellets and not enough hay

2. Keeping rabbits in cages under 12 square feet

3. Avoiding spay/neuter surgeries

4. Leaving rabbits alone with no interaction

5. Failing to notice early signs of illness

   
   

These issues often lead to shelter surrenders and health complications. Planning prevents long-term problems.

What should adopters know about rabbit rescue and shelters?

Rabbits are the third most surrendered pet in shelters. Most are under 3 years old at intake.

A pair of bonded rabbits

Key adoption insights:

• 70% are surrendered due to space or allergy concerns

• Adoption fees: $50–$150 (usually includes sterilization and vaccines)

• Reputable rescues offer health checks, screening, and guidance

  
  

Bonded rabbit pairs are harder to place but thrive together. Some rescues provide bonding assistance and post-adoption support. Adopters should verify the rescue's intake, sterilization, and vaccination practices before adoption to ensure animal welfare standards are met.