By Dr Duncan Houston
A rabbit can be an engaging companion, but choosing one means planning for far more than a hutch and a food bowl. Daily care, rabbit company and access to appropriate veterinary treatment all matter.
Before deciding, picture an ordinary busy week. Can your household meet those needs consistently, including when you travel or your rabbit becomes unwell?
Quick Answer
Rabbits suit people who can provide spacious, secure accommodation, a compatible rabbit companion and attentive daily care. They can live for more than ten years, and many prefer interaction on the floor to being carried. Arrange the space, budget and veterinary support before adopting; if an existing rabbit starts eating less or stops eating, contact a vet immediately.
What is living with rabbits really like?
Rabbits are curious and social, but being lifted can frighten them. Sitting nearby and letting them approach helps build trust without forcing contact. Adults must take responsibility for their care, even when children are enthusiastic. As RSPCA Australia's adoption advice explains, rabbits are a long-term commitment with specific handling and welfare needs.
Choose for temperament and care requirements, not appearance alone. A long-haired rabbit may need daily grooming; a larger rabbit needs accommodation that still allows unrestricted movement. Ask the rescue what each rabbit enjoys, fears and needs help with.
Are you ready to adopt?
| Readiness | What your plan looks like | Next decision |
|---|---|---|
| Good starting point | An adult accepts daily responsibility, accommodation is ready and veterinary costs are budgeted. | Meet suitable rabbits and discuss an established bonded pair. |
| Needs more preparation | You have suitable space, but holiday care, emergency transport or ongoing costs are unresolved. | Arrange these before committing to an adoption date. |
| Significant welfare risk | The plan depends on a small cage, occasional feeding visits or a young child doing all the care. | Change the plan before bringing rabbits home. |
This is a practical planning framework, not a score you must pass perfectly. An unresolved essential is a reason to prepare further, not to feel pressured into adopting.
Do rabbits need another rabbit?
Plan for a compatible, bonded pair unless a vet or qualified behaviour professional advises otherwise for an individual rabbit. Human attention does not provide all the social interaction another rabbit can offer.
The RSPCA's companionship guidance recommends careful, supervised introductions in neutral territory. Unfamiliar rabbits can fight, so do not simply put two together. A rescue experienced in bonding can help you choose an established pair or plan introductions.
Have sex and neutering status confirmed. Provide enough food, water, shelter and hiding places for both rabbits. A guinea pig is not an appropriate replacement companion, and dogs or cats must not have unsupervised access.
Can your home provide enough space?
Rabbits need room to run, stretch upright and retreat, with secure access to their exercise area. A small hutch alone cannot meet those needs. PDSA's rabbit care guidance recommends access to at least 3 m by 2 m by 1 m at all times; larger rabbits and groups may need more.
Indoors, protect electrical cords and exclude unsafe plants. Outdoors, plan secure shelter and protection from weather, predators and escape. Walk through the proposed area before adoption: where will they hide, exercise and toilet, and how will you clean it?
What care and costs should you expect?
Keep grass hay and fresh water available continuously, with suitable leafy greens and an appropriate small amount of rabbit pellets. Ask for advice tailored to growing, older or unwell rabbits. Keep the existing diet initially and discuss gradual changes rather than replacing everything on arrival.
Budget for food, bedding, housing upkeep, routine examinations, neutering and unexpected treatment. Ask a rabbit-experienced vet about locally appropriate vaccinations and preventive care. RSPCA Australia's care guidance highlights that a low purchase price does not mean low ongoing veterinary costs.
What if a new rabbit seems quiet or will not eat?
Hiding after a move can reflect fear, but reduced appetite must not be dismissed as settling in. Dental pain, stress and gut disease can all affect eating, and they cannot be reliably distinguished at home.
Contact a vet immediately if your rabbit eats less than usual, stops eating or produces fewer droppings. Do not wait overnight. PDSA's advice on reduced appetite explains why prompt assessment matters. Avoid home remedies or force-feeding unless the vet directs you; the appropriate treatment depends on the cause.
What should you do before bringing rabbits home?
- Confirm practical permission. Check local rules, your tenancy arrangements and everyone in the household's agreement.
- Arrange care. Identify a rabbit-experienced clinic, its emergency arrangements and a reliable holiday carer.
- Prepare the accommodation. Set up secure exercise space, shelter, food, water and separate resting options before arrival.
- Request the history. Obtain diet details, veterinary records, bonding information and any ongoing treatment plan.
- Plan the first days. Keep routines calm, watch each rabbit eat and monitor droppings. Arrange an initial veterinary examination and seek prompt help for changes.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Choosing a rabbit mainly because it looks small and inexpensive.
- Expecting children to manage feeding, cleaning or illness decisions alone.
- Forcing cuddles or repeatedly picking up a frightened rabbit.
- Assuming two unfamiliar rabbits will become friends without managed introductions.
- Leaving veterinary registration until something goes wrong.
Build a daily routine that supports wellbeing
Refresh water and hay, remove wet bedding and check appetite, droppings, movement and cleanliness daily. Check under the tail at least daily and more often in warm weather or if advised because of flystrike risk.
Allow exercise, digging and foraging, with safe tunnels and hiding places. Introduce new enrichment gradually and allow a retreat. Keep regular grooming and weight checks in the routine, and ask your vet to show you safe handling that supports the chest and hindquarters.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are rabbits good first pets for children?
They can join a family with responsible adult care, but are unsuitable for a child to manage alone. Supervise gentle interaction at floor level.
Can I have rabbits if I work full time?
Potentially, if their accommodation, companionship and daily care are reliable. You also need a plan for illness, overtime and travel.
Are two rabbits much harder than one?
A bonded pair needs adequate resources and a budget for both animals. Their companionship supports welfare, but does not replace your daily attention.
Do rabbits need vaccinations?
Discuss vaccination with a local rabbit-experienced vet. Available vaccines, disease risks and schedules depend on where you live.
Make the decision around the life you can provide
Rabbits can be rewarding companions when their everyday needs fit your household. Resolve the space, companionship, care and cost questions first, then choose rabbits whose individual needs you can meet.
For more practical guidance as you prepare, explore ASK A VET™. Your local rabbit-experienced vet can help turn your plans into appropriate care for the rabbits you choose.
The ASK A VET™ Tracker logs live location and activity trends, so a change in routine never goes unnoticed.
Every ASK A VET article is written and reviewed by qualified veterinarians.
