What to Expect When Raising a Baby Rabbit Indoors

Last updated on January 11, 2026

Raising a baby rabbit indoors is equal parts adorable and chaotic. One minute you are watching tiny binkies like it is a live-action cartoon. The next, you are sprinting across the room because someone found a phone charger.

A Holland Lop lounging on a blanket

The good news: indoor life is one of the safest, healthiest ways to raise a rabbit when your home is set up correctly. The reality: baby rabbits are energetic, curious, and still learning how to “rabbit” in a human space. With the right setup, food plan, and expectations, that wild baby phase becomes a confident, bonded house rabbit.

The first week: expect “quiet nervous” before “tiny tornado”

Many baby rabbits start out cautious. New smells, new flooring, new sounds, and no familiar routine yet. Give them a smaller, safe space first, then expand as they settle in.

Tiny fluff, big personality.

Normal adjustment can look like:

• Hiding more than you expected

• Eating more when it is quiet

• Pooping outside the litter box at first

• Random bursts of energy (zoomies) followed by deep naps

  
  

Red flags that deserve a rabbit-savvy vet call:

• Not eating

• Not pooping

• Acting limp, hunched, or unusually still

  
  

Your indoor setup matters more than perfect training

Two tiny fluffballs, one very full food bowl.

Start with a pen, not full free-roam

A baby rabbit usually does best with a home base: a roomy exercise pen, litter box, food and water, toys, and a hideout. Once they build confidence and habits, you can expand their space.

If you want the exact starter kit I recommend, use my house rabbit supplies checklist.

Add traction (slippery floors are stressful)

If your rabbit is sliding, they will be less likely to explore and more likely to panic-sprint. Use rugs, carpet runners, or fleece blankets to create safe “runways.”

Soft, clean flooring and smart setup choices also help prevent sore hocks indoors, especially as they grow.

Create a hideout and an enrichment zone

Baby rabbits need a place to decompress and feel safe. A simple cardboard hidey box can make a huge difference. Then add a small rotation of rabbit-safe toys, tunnels, and cardboard to shred.

Bunny-proof like you mean it

Baby rabbits explore with their mouths. Protect cords, block access to dangerous spaces, and remove toxic plants. Training helps, but prevention is what keeps them safe.

Baby rabbit behavior: what’s normal (and what it means)

A very cozy bunny moment.

Zoomies and binkies

These are often signs of comfort and excitement. You will usually see them after a meal, after a nap, or during evening “peak bunny hours.”

Chewing is not a bad habit, it is a need

Rabbits chew because their teeth continuously grow, and babies tend to chew even more because they are curious and busy.

What works:

• Give better chew options (apple sticks, cardboard, untreated seagrass mats)

• Block the unsafe item immediately (do not rely on “no”)

• Redirect gently and consistently

  
  

Nipping can be communication

A tiny nip can mean “move,” “pay attention to me,” or “I’m nervous.” Avoid punishment. Focus on calm interaction and trust-building.

A lot of “behavior problems” are just communication. Here are common rabbit communication signals and what they mean.

Food and water: baby rabbit edition

Big ears, tiny hay enthusiast.

Hay is the foundation

Unlimited grass hay should be available all day. It supports digestion and healthy teeth.

Pellets: keep them plain and measured

Choose plain pellets (no colorful mix-ins). Babies often need a different pellet approach than adults depending on age and growth stage, so follow your rabbit-savvy vet or rescue’s guidance.

Greens: go slow

This is where people accidentally cause tummy trouble. Introduce greens gradually, one at a time, in small amounts while monitoring stool. If your rabbit is very young, it may be best to wait until their digestion is more stable before adding fresh foods.

For a full food guide (what’s safe, what to avoid, and how to structure meals), follow my balanced house rabbit diet post.

Water: bowls usually win indoors

A heavy water bowl encourages natural drinking and often better hydration. If your rabbit is a bowl flipper, use a heavier crock or a bowl that locks onto the pen.

If you’re deciding between a bowl and a bottle, here’s my breakdown on bowls vs. bottles for rabbit water.

Litter training: expect progress, not perfection

Two little gray shadows, always sticking together.

Baby rabbits are usually messy. That is normal.

A litter box setup that helps fast

• Use a roomy box with a low entry

• Use rabbit-safe litter (paper-based is common)

• Put hay in or right next to the litter box (rabbits love to eat and potty at the same time)

• Start with multiple boxes if needed (one in the pen, one in the play area)

  
  

The accident strategy

• Move stray poops into the box

• Blot pee with a paper towel and place it in the box

• Clean accidents with a scent-neutral cleaner so the area does not become “the bathroom corner”

  
  

Litter habits usually improve with routine and maturity. Hormones can temporarily make things worse during adolescence, then improve again after spay or neuter.

If you want more structure (and some fun skills), try these rabbit training techniques.

Daily care: what your day will actually look like

A tiny cloud of curiosity.

Your 60-second health check

Every day, quietly confirm:

• Eating normally

• Drinking

• Pooping normally

• Moving comfortably

• Energy level is typical

Grooming and nails

Start gentle habits early. Short sessions build tolerance over time. Nail trims are easier when they become routine.

Enrichment is prevention

A bored baby rabbit is a creative baby rabbit. Rotate enrichment so they stay engaged without constantly needing “new” things:

• Cardboard boxes to explore

• Paper bags stuffed with hay

• Foraging toys

• A digging box (safe materials only)

GI slowdown (stasis): what you need to know

If your rabbit stops eating or stops pooping, treat it as urgent. Common warning signs include:

• Fewer or smaller poops

• No interest in food

• Lethargy or hiding

• Hunched posture

• Teeth grinding (pain)

  
  

Have your rabbit-savvy vet and an emergency option saved in your phone before you need it.

If you’re ever unsure, review these GI stasis warning signs so you know when it’s urgent.

If you want reputable medical overviews, these are two solid references to bookmark: House Rabbit Society’s GI stasis guide and VCA Hospitals’ GI stasis article.

Bonding: how to build trust without forcing it

A gentle hello from the fluffiest little nose.

The fastest bond usually comes from choice-based interaction:

• Sit on the floor and let your rabbit approach you

• Offer hay or a tiny piece of a safe treat occasionally

• Keep handling minimal at first (many rabbits dislike being held)

• Build predictable routines so they feel safe

  
  

A baby rabbit that feels safe will start choosing you. That is the whole goal.

Quick reminder: your setup list

If you want the exact list of what I recommend for indoor setup, I have it here: house rabbit supplies checklist.

FAQ: Raising a Baby Rabbit Indoors

What age can a baby rabbit live indoors safely?

Most indoor “baby rabbits” are weaned juveniles. If you’re dealing with a truly orphaned or unweaned kit, get professional guidance immediately because feeding and care are specialized.

Should I hold my baby rabbit to bond?

Not necessary. Many rabbits bond faster with calm floor time, gentle voice, and letting them choose closeness.

When can baby rabbits eat leafy greens?

It depends on age, background, and how stable their digestion is. Introduce slowly, one green at a time, in small amounts, and monitor stool.

Why is my baby rabbit pooping everywhere?

Babies are inconsistent. Start with a smaller space, use multiple litter boxes, keep hay near the box, and expect improvement as routine and maturity kick in.

Bowl or bottle for water?

Indoors, bowls often encourage better drinking. Choose a heavy crock or a secure bowl if your rabbit likes to flip dishes. If you’re deciding between a bowl and a bottle, check out bowls vs. bottles for rabbit water.

What are the first signs my baby rabbit may be sick?

A big appetite drop, fewer poops, lethargy, or hunched posture are all reasons to call a rabbit-savvy vet quickly.

Can I free-roam my baby rabbit right away?

Usually it’s smoother to start with a pen and expand freedom as litter habits improve and your bunny-proofing gets dialed in.

Author

Devyn Pelter, President of The Bunny Basement, cares for house rabbits in an indoor setting and helps owners build safe setups, steady routines, and confident handling habits so rabbits can thrive at home.