A Complete Guide to Pet Rabbit Care and Well-Being
Have you decided to welcome a bunny into your family? Congratulations! Rabbits are wonderful pets: intelligent, affectionate and full of personality. But like any pet , they require specific care and a suitable environment to live healthily and peacefully.
In this guide, you'll discover how to best prepare, what to buy before your arrival, and how to navigate the first few weeks together.
Preparing the Environment: Your Bunny's Home
Before even bringing your new companion home, it's essential to create a safe and comfortable space where it can feel protected and express its natural behaviors.
The right space
Domestic rabbits aren't cage animals. They need at least 3-4 m² of free space to jump, run and explore every day. A large enclosure or a secure room are ideal. Lack of exercise can lead to obesity, joint problems and stress.
The den: a safe haven
In nature, bunnies live in underground burrows , so they instinctively need a shelter where they can feel protected. Choose a house made from natural materials, like the Susy® Home Hay Feeder: a functional and sustainable piece of furniture that offers your rabbit a safe place to rest and eat. Avoid plastic and other toxic materials that they could gnaw.
The perfect litter box
Litter is essential for your bunny's health. Opt for natural solutions, free of dust and chemical fragrances. Susy® Eco Litter, made from quality wood shavings, is absorbent, odorless and completely biodegradable. Place it in a dedicated tray and combine it with the hay feeder: bunnies love to eat while they do their business.
Making your home safe
Rabbits are curious explorers. Before they can harm each other, arrange these things for their arrival:
- Protect electrical cables with special sheaths or keep them out of reach
- Remove toxic plants from the floor
- Blocks access to dangerous areas where it could get stuck
- Cover fine wood furniture
- Remove small objects that he might swallow
- Remember that they can easily jump 60-80 cm high
The essential kit: what you need right away
Proper nutrition
Domestic rabbits need a diet rich in fiber and low in sugar. The basics:
- Hay at will (80% of the diet)
- Fresh vegetables introduced gradually
- Specific pellets, without cereals or seeds
- Always fresh water
Find out more in our complete guide to rabbit feeding.
Essential accessories
To get off to a good start, get:
- Heavy ceramic bowls for food and water
- Soft grooming brush (essential for long-haired breeds)
- Comfortable and ventilated carrier for trips, weekends and veterinary visits
- Safe toys: tunnels, straw balls, natural wood toys
Avoid plastic toys that it can swallow, balls with holes where its paws could get stuck, and toys with detachable parts.
The First Weeks: Building Trust and Routine
The first few days: patience is the key
The first 2-3 days are stressful for the rabbit. Give it time to settle in without forcing it. Sit next to it on the floor and let it approach spontaneously. Speak in a calm voice and offer it food from your hand to create positive associations.
Many bunnnies don't like being picked up because they feel vulnerable: avoid constantly picking them up. Reduce loud noises, sudden movements, and the presence of other animals or too many people. Respect their need to retreat to their burrow when they want.
Create a daily routine
Rabbits are creatures of habit that love predictability:
- Set fixed meal times
- Make time every day for interaction and play
- Clean the litter box daily and do a thorough cleaning weekly.
- Brush it regularly, especially during moulting (spring and autumn)
Avoid constantly changing the layout of it space or moving the litter box once it has learned where to use it.
Litter box training
Domestic rabbits can learn to use the litter box just like cats! Place it where they naturally tend to do their business, and initially, put their feces from around the house in the litter box to guide them, and reward them when they use it correctly. Patience is required: it may take a few weeks. Never punish them if they make mistakes (bunnies don't understand punishment), and don't use toxic cleaning products; only natural solutions.
Bunny-proof life
Welcoming a rabbit into your home is a unique experience, requiring awareness, preparation and a lot of affection. With the right space, the right accessories and a peaceful routine, your bunny will become a wonderful companion .
Want to learn more about every aspect of cohabitation? Follow our blog and subscribe to our newsletter: you'll find articles dedicated to litter, nutrition, toys, well-being, and space for pet rabbits.