If you are a pet owner who loves and owns rabbits, or a rabbit sitter who prefers rabbits as petsitting charges, read on. In this blog we offer some essential notes on rabbit care that you need to know. Rabbits are intelligent creatures and make wonderful pets. However, their care notes are important to understand and follow. Learn more here.

Rabbit sitter or rabbit owner – How to understand rabbit care

Rabbits are one of the UK’s most-loved animals, with an estimated 1 million floppy-eared friends in households up and down the country.

If you want to bring a rabbit into your home, there’s plenty to think about, including giving them the best care possible.

Here is a checklist of considerations you should keep in mind as you welcome a rabbit into your family.

Rabbits need companionship

Rabbits are sociable creatures and live in large groups in the wild called colonies or, wait for it… fluffles (!!!) and so living on their own in your home takes them away from those experiences.

If you are able to add another rabbit to your collection, this will help both of them a lot.

Otherwise, it’s up to you to provide that companionship. Take your rabbit out of their hutch regularly and play with them. Rabbits like to forage and chew things, so why not provide them with a treasure hunt around the home or garden with some tasty treats as a reward?

A study from pet care experts Burgess found that a lack of companionship was a neglected need for almost a third of rabbits.

Find rabbit sitters or pet sitters

So when you go away on holiday finding rabbit sitters or pet sitters who can look after your pets in their own home is important. If you can ensure their routines are maintained and they live in the same place even though you are away it means they are less stressed.

Where should a rabbit live?

Rabbits can happily live indoors or outdoors, but the key is consistency.

When temperatures drop in colder weather, you may be tempted to bring them into your home where it is much warmer. However, be wary as the sudden change in temperature can actually put stress on their bodies and could actually do more harm in the long run.

If the mercury does plummet, move your rabbit hutch into a sheltered space such as a shed or car-free garage and they should be more than happy.

In terms of their living space, rabbits need space to roam, so if you do put up some fences, be sure that they are not too closed off, or your rabbit might not be able to resist the urge to start digging and make an escape!

Feed your rabbit more than carrots!

Images of Bugs Bunny chomping carrots and getting up to mischief might have been your inspiration for getting a rabbit, but yours needs to have a much more varied diet.

Grass is wild rabbit’s primary source of food and a good supply of hay should always be close by. This not only keeps your rabbit happily fed but will also keep their gut health in check and ensure that their teeth are gradually worn away.

This might sound painful but, in actual fact, it’s a necessity as rabbits’ teeth constantly grow. If they didn’t chew them down so much, it could lead to issues further down the line.

Rabbit care essentials – End note

Do you look after a rabbit at your own home? Are you a rabbit sitter? What top tips would you share with other people considering the same? Let us know in the comments!

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FURTHER READING ON KEEPING PETS AND PETSITTERS

Vet Matthew Bayliss – Tips for rabbit sitters on rabbit care

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What is in home pet sitting and how much will it cost?

Keep pets at home with a sitter for less stress