If you’re thinking of a pet that’s quiet, cute, and easy to care for, you might want to consider getting a rabbit.
Why a rabbit?
Here’s why: rabbits are calm, curious, and easy to read based on their body language.
They don’t bark.
They don’t meow.
They may blink with intent and thump when annoyed or they’ll nudge your hand for attention, and that’s it.
If the mood hits them, they might do lightning fast zoomies in ever expanding circles or give you a classic “binky” mve that’ll make you laugh out loud.
Yeah, rabbits are like small, albeit very quiet dogs if you acclimate them properly. So, if you want a quieter “Chihuahua”, a rabbit might be a good choice.
Rabbit Enclosure or Hutch — Where Your Rabbit Will Live/ Hangout
Your rabbit needs a safe space or enclosure to live in with a space at least 4-6 times your rabbit’s body length. This is enough space for them to move around and exercise a bit inside their enclosure.
For the flooring, make sure there is soft bedding instead of wire floors. Those can you’re your rabbit’s paws. There are plastic floors like the ones found on dog cages that your rabbit will appreciate. Avoid cedar or pine shavings and go for aspen or shredded, unprinted paper instead.
Rabbits love to burrow so make sure you provide a small box that they can retreat to if they want to rest or be alone.
Keep your rabbit’s hutch in a well-ventialted area because rabbits can tolerate cold better than heat.
Basic Rabbit Care
I am not a veterinarian or an animal expert. I’m a just writer who’s had a fair number of rabbits as pets in the past, built a cheap hutch with the help of a friendly carpenter, and learned the hard way that you must rabbit-proof EVERYTHING.
So, here’s something I learned about rabbits as pets.
Food
- Hay is the main event. Unlimited, always. Timothy hay for adults.
- Fresh greens daily — romaine, bok choy, and cilantro (in moderation).
- Pellets: small portions only and make sure they’re of high-quality. Not the bulk filler kind. And no, you can’t feed your rabbits the pellets you buy from pet stores as their only diet.
- Treats: fruit or carrots — sparingly. Treats are treats, not meals.
Water
- Clean water should always be available. Make sure you have heavy ceramic bowls in their hutch. Or water bottles. That can also work. Make sure to clean and refill them daily.
Health
- Not all vet clinics know hwo to treat rabbits, so make sure you call ahead and find a vet who knows how to handle rabbits.
- Spaying or neutering your rabbit is highly recommended. It prevents health and behavior issues. And also prevents the sudden rise of rabbit populations in your home or community.
- Watch for signs of GI stasis: reduced droppings, lack of appetite, lethargy. If this happens, call the vet now.
Grooming
- Brush regularly, especially long-haired breeds. They eat fur while grooming themselves and can get hairballs.
- Nails: trim every few weeks or when you hear clicking sounds on tile floors.
Social
- Rabbits like company. If you keep more than one, make sure you acclimate them first. Although they are social creatures, not all rabbits get along with each other.
- Gentle handling: support the hindquarters. They can kick hard, fall and hurt you and themselves.
Other Things
- Make sure they have a wooden block to gnaw on to keep their teeth short. Rodents have teeth that continue to grow all their lives, having something hard to chew on keeps that growth in check.
- And one more thing: kids and rabbits should always be supervised. Teach kids to be gentle and to avoid chasing the rabbits.
Basic Rabbit Care Sheet
Daily
- Fresh hay and water.
- 1–2 cups of leafy greens.
- 10–15 minutes supervised play or more if you can.
- Quick health check: eyes, nose, droppings.
Weekly
- Clean litter box and replace bedding.
- Brush fur (more for long-haired breeds).
- Trim nails if they’re clicking.
Monthly
- Check teeth alignment and body weight.
- Inspect for skin issues or mites.
- Replace worn toys.
As Needed
- Vet visit for any unusual signs (lethargy, limp, not eating, watery eyes).
- Spay/neuter when advised by your vet.
Kit to Have at Home
- Good quality hay supply.
- Litter box with rabbit-safe litter.
- Safe chew toys (untreated wood, willow).
- Nail clippers, small brush.
- Emergency vet contact info.
Is a Rabbit Right for You?
Rabbits are affectionate pets. They can sometimes be stubborn and that makres them very interesting pets.
They do require a lot of commitment.
And space.
Time.
Hay.
And patience…
What makes it worth it is their quiet nature, the way they seem to enjoy human companions (once accustomed, of course), the love for naps and their quirky zoomies every now and then.
If you’re ready to care for something living, cute, and super fluffy — a rabbit might just be the right pet for you.