Pet rabbit care: diet, housing, teeth and health basics

Rabbits are intelligent, social and surprisingly long-lived companions, but they are not the low-effort “starter pet” they are often sold as. Their digestive system and teeth depend on a high-fiber diet, they need room to run, and they are sensitive to heat and rough handling. This guide pulls together the Merck Veterinary Manual pet owner pages on rabbits and the House Rabbit Society diet guide. See the small pets library for related species.

What should a pet rabbit eat?

Hay is the foundation of rabbit health. According to Merck’s diet for rabbits page, grass hay should make up about 85–90% of the diet and be available without limit. Adults do best on timothy or other lower-calcium grass hays such as oat, orchard or meadow grass; alfalfa is richer in calcium and is meant for young, pregnant or nursing rabbits.

Item	Merck guidance	House Rabbit Society guidance (adults)
Grass hay	Unlimited; ~85–90% of diet	Unlimited timothy, orchard or oat hay
Pellets	~1/4 cup per 5 lb body weight/day, timothy-based, 15–20% crude fiber	1/4 cup per 6 lb/day, timothy-based, at least 18% fiber, no seeds or treats mixed in
Fresh vegetables	~1 cup per 2 lb body weight/day	At least 2 cups chopped per 6 lb/day, three or more leafy greens
Fruit	Occasional treat	No more than ~1 tsp per 2 lb/day
Water	Always available	Always available

The two sources differ slightly on exact amounts, which is normal; both agree on the shape of the diet: mostly hay, a generous daily salad, a modest scoop of plain pellets and very little sugar. Work with your vet to adjust portions for your rabbit’s weight and body condition.

Greens, vegetables and foods to avoid

The House Rabbit Society suggests leafy greens should make up about 75% of the fresh portion, with non-leafy vegetables limited, and recommends that only one of the three daily greens come from the high-oxalate group (such as parsley, beet greens and Swiss chard). It also advises washing produce thoroughly because of the risk of RHDV2 contamination.

Merck lists toxic items including houseplants such as aloe, azalea, lily of the valley and philodendron, plus apple seeds, raw beans, rhubarb leaves, green potato parts and chocolate. Avoid high-salt, high-fat and caffeinated treats entirely, and introduce any new vegetable slowly.

Why fiber matters so much

Rabbits ferment fiber in a large hindgut and re-eat soft night droppings (cecotropes) to recover nutrients. Merck notes that low-fiber diets raise the risk of serious digestive illness, especially in young rabbits. A rabbit that eats lots of pellets and little hay is set up for both gut and dental trouble.

How much space does a rabbit need?

Merck’s page on providing a home for a rabbit gives minimum cage sizes for a single rabbit:

Breed size	Minimum floor size	Height
Small	18 x 24 in (46 x 61 cm)	—
Medium to large	24 x 30 in (61 x 76 cm)	—
Giant	30 x 36 in (76 x 91 cm)	16–18 in (41–46 cm)

Treat these as the bare floor for a resting area, not a full-time home. Rabbits need several hours of daily exercise in a larger, rabbit-proofed pen or room where they can hop, stretch out and stand on their hind legs. More space is needed for multiple rabbits. Cover electrical cords, remove toxic houseplants and block gaps behind furniture before letting a rabbit roam.

Temperature and outdoor hutches

Rabbits handle cold better than heat. Merck warns that long exposure above 80°F (27°C) can make rabbits sick and that hot, humid conditions can cause heat stress or death, especially in enclosed hutches or cars. Domestic rabbits also do poorly below 50°F (10°C). For most US climates, living indoors with the family is the safest and most social option. If your rabbit is outside at all, provide full shade, airflow and protection from predators.

Litter training

Most rabbits choose one or two toilet corners. Put a large litter box with paper-based litter there and a pile of hay at one end — rabbits like to eat and eliminate at the same time. Merck suggests spot-cleaning the litter box daily and cleaning the cage and supplies weekly.

How should you pick up and handle a rabbit?

Rabbits have a light skeleton and powerful hind legs. Merck advises supporting the hind end at all times: one hand under the chest, the other under the back legs, holding the rabbit firmly against your body. Never lift a rabbit by the ears. A rabbit that kicks while unsupported can fracture its spine. For this reason, Merck notes rabbits are often better suited to older teens and adults than to very young children. Much of the bonding happens on the floor anyway — sit down and let the rabbit come to you.

How do you care for rabbit teeth?

All of a rabbit’s teeth — incisors and cheek teeth — grow throughout life. Merck’s dental care page explains that chewing hay normally wears them down, and rabbits that eat mainly pellets are more prone to overgrowth. Malocclusion is also one of the most common inherited problems in rabbits.

Watch for:

• Very long or uneven front teeth
• Drooling or a wet chin
• Dropping food, eating slowly or picking only soft foods
• Weight loss
• Swelling on the jaw or face (possible abscess)

Overgrown teeth are trimmed or filed by a veterinarian, usually under sedation or anesthesia. Do not attempt to clip teeth at home.

What routine health care does a rabbit need?

Merck’s routine health care page recommends:

Task	How often
Veterinary exam	When first obtained, then once a year
RHDV2 vaccine	Usually 2 doses 3 weeks apart, then yearly boosters (ask your vet)
Brushing	Daily for long-haired breeds; twice a week for short-haired
Nail trim	Every 1–2 months or as needed
Litter box spot-clean	Daily
Cage, bowls, bedding	Weekly

Merck gives a normal rabbit body temperature of 103–104°F, with readings below 100.4°F or above 105°F as warning signs. It also explains that spaying females prevents litters and removes the risk of uterine cancer, which is common and often fatal in rabbits over 3 years old, and that neutering males can reduce aggression and urine spraying.

When is a rabbit an emergency?

Rabbits hide pain. Call a veterinarian experienced with rabbits right away if your rabbit:

• Has not eaten or passed droppings for several hours
• Is hunched, pressing its belly to the floor or grinding its teeth loudly
• Has diarrhea, especially a young rabbit
• Breathes through the mouth, or has nasal or eye discharge
• Tilts its head, loses balance or cannot stand
• Feels cold or has been exposed to heat and is limp or panting

A rabbit that stops eating can deteriorate quickly, so do not wait overnight.

Hygiene for the family

Like other small mammals, rabbits can carry germs such as Salmonella even when they look healthy. The CDC small mammal guidance recommends washing hands after handling the rabbit, its litter or its supplies, keeping pet gear out of the kitchen and avoiding close face contact.

Rabbit, guinea pig or hamster?

Rabbits need the most space and the most time of the common small pets, but they can live many years and become affectionate, litter-trained house companions. If you are still choosing, compare our guides to guinea pig care — similar hay-first diet, but with a daily vitamin C requirement — and hamster care, a smaller, solitary, nocturnal option. Keep our pet first aid quick guide on hand, and review the toxic foods list for common household dangers.

Common rabbit care mistakes

• Feeding mostly pellets or treats. Rabbits need hay as the main part of the diet. Pellet-heavy or sugary diets contribute to dental and digestive problems.
• Keeping a rabbit in a small hutch all day. Rabbits need room to run, hop and stand up, plus daily exercise outside the enclosure.
• Lifting by the ears or scruff. Always support the hindquarters. A rabbit that kicks while poorly held can injure its spine.
• Waiting when a rabbit stops eating. A rabbit that has stopped eating or passing droppings needs a vet promptly, as covered in the emergency section above.
• Skipping rabbit-proofing. Rabbits chew electrical cords, baseboards and houseplants. Cover cords and block off unsafe areas before letting the rabbit roam.
• Housing rabbits with guinea pigs. The two species have different needs, and rabbits can injure guinea pigs.
• Choosing a vet after an emergency starts. Find a vet who treats rabbits before you need one.

New rabbit checklist

1. Set up a pen and a rabbit-proofed exercise area before bringing the rabbit home.
2. Stock unlimited grass hay, plain timothy pellets and a variety of leafy greens.
3. Add a large litter box with paper-based litter and hay at one end.
4. Find a rabbit-savvy veterinarian and ask about spay/neuter and the RHDV2 vaccine.
5. Learn the safe two-handed lift and teach it to everyone in the home.
6. Keep the rabbit’s area below 80°F, with shade and airflow.

Feed hay first, give room to move and learn your rabbit’s normal habits — those three habits prevent most of the serious problems rabbit owners face.