Rabbit Information – Complete Guide to Nutrition, Housing, Behavior & Care

Rabbit information – care, housing, nutrition, behavior & health

Rabbits are intelligent, sensitive, and social pets that thrive when their natural behavior is taken seriously: running, nibbling, foraging, digging (or "rooting"), and above all: social interaction. This page is an information page (not a product overview). You'll find a comprehensive and practical overview: keeping them together, housing (indoor/outdoor/rabbit room), toilet training, nutrition (hay as a base), enrichment, care, and health indicators. DRD Rodent Shop® has been a specialist since 2011 and is happy to help you choose based on well-being, safety, and a logical setup.

Directly to the Rabbit shop: Rabbit (all) · Hay · Rabbit food · Ground cover · Houses

Behavior & Body Language – How to “Read” Your Rabbit

Rabbits are prey animals: they communicate subtly. A relaxed rabbit will lie down, groom itself calmly, and sometimes make little "binkies" (jumps of joy). Warning signs include freezing, ducking, teeth grinding (stress/pain), or repeated stamping. Always give the rabbit the option to walk away: that builds trust.

Practical tip: make the enclosure "route-oriented" with tunnels/hiding places, so that rabbits can move around safely: houses and tunnels .

Keeping & Connecting Together – Why It's (Almost) Always Better Together

Rabbits are truly social animals. A well-fitting companion prevents loneliness and supports natural behavior (resting together, grooming, and being alert). The most popular and often stable pairing is a neutered male rabbit and female rabbit . Bonding requires time, space, and a well-considered approach; don't force it and consider individual personalities.

You can achieve extra peace in the group by offering multiple resources: multiple hiding places, multiple feeding stations, and plenty of space. Useful resources include: food , toilets , and houses .

Housing – inside, outside & the rabbit room

With rabbits, it's all about floor space , safe surfaces, and daily exercise. A good foundation is a permanent living space where they can always move comfortably, plus additional running/play space. Indoors, many people choose a rabbit room or a spacious indoor enclosure with free range in a safe area.

Starting points: Rabbit room (decoration) · Runs · Houses .

Outdoor enclosures require extra attention: shade, ventilation, dryness, and protection from predators. Also consider "dig-proof" (preventing digging underneath) and "climb-proof" (openings and edges).

Toilet training & litter boxing – practical and hygienic

Many rabbits prefer to use a single, fixed spot. Therefore, place a litter box in a favorite corner and reward calm behavior. Place stray droppings in the litter box so your rabbit understands more quickly. Choose a safe litter that is absorbent and dust-free.

Nutrition – hay as a base, supplemented with suitable feed

The basics for almost all rabbits are: always having hay available , fresh water, and an appropriate amount of complete rabbit food. Vegetables can often be a nice addition (in appropriate portions), but always build up gradually and observe your rabbit's reaction. Fruit is more of an "extra" and is usually given in limited quantities.

Shopping routes: Hay · Rabbit food · Snacks .

Practical: Pay attention to the droppings. Small, hard droppings can indicate a low intake/too dry, while soft, sticky droppings often indicate a diet that isn't (yet) well-tolerated or is too rich. If there are any significant abnormalities or lethargy, it's wise to seek advice quickly.

Enrichment – foraging, gnawing & exercise

Enrichment prevents boredom and supports natural behavior. Think of foraging (finding food), gnawing materials, digging opportunities, tunnels, and safe routes through the enclosure. Many rabbits also enjoy having multiple resting places (both together and separately).

Useful categories: Tunnels · Rodent material · Digging bucket .

Care – coat, nails & hygiene

Brushing is especially important during the shedding season (and for long-haired breeds, also during other periods) to prevent tangles. Check nails regularly; nails that are too long are painful and can snag. Also, keep drinking facilities clean and avoid "wet spots" in the enclosure.

View: Rabbit Care .

Health – signals, prevention & when to switch faster

Rabbits are masters at hiding symptoms. Therefore, keep an eye out for small changes: less eating, fewer droppings, lethargy, puffiness, dirty fur around the bottom, sneezing/difficulty breathing, tilted head, drooling, or noticeably withdrawn behavior. If in doubt, it's wise to act early.

Prevention is broader than just "medication": good nutrition (hay), low-stress housing, clean water, hygiene, and safe enrichment are essential. Vaccinations against common serious rabbit diseases are often recommended; discuss a suitable schedule with your veterinarian.

Useful: Rabbit health · Transport boxes .

For general background information you can also consult the LICG .

✓ Extensive information page (not just selection aid)
✓ Selection aid and range from specialist since 2011
✓ Practical tips for hay, housing, toilet and welfare