What to Consider When Adopting a Rabbit

Binkies, boops, and happy flops — ever heard of them? This is the kind of quirky lingo that comes with life as a bunny parent. And while spotting those adorable behaviors is part of the fun, they’re just a small piece of what pet parenthood to a rabbit really involves. 

Below, find practical tips for adopting a pet rabbit, setting up a safe and enriching environment for them, and becoming the kind of bun parent who earns plenty of binkies, boops, and flops.

Are you ready to adopt a rabbit? 

You’re doing the research, started the shopping list, and maybe binged a few too many bunny videos on social media. Those twitchy noses and oversized ears have won you over, and now you’re pretty sure you’re ready for the next step: adopting a pet rabbit.

“Rabbits are absolutely wonderful pets to have, but if you’re expecting pet parenting to always be a breeze — think again,” Amanda Koontz, Founder and President of Dolly & Friends Small Animal Sanctuary, says.

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Rabbits can live eight to 12 years, They need roomy, fully rabbit-proofed indoor setups (not tiny cages). And these pets require careful handling — rabbits are not always a good choice for young kids. You might also consider adopting a bonded pair rather than one, Koontz adds. And before you assume rabbits are low-cost pets, consider their specialized dietary needs, tendency to chew and ingest things they shouldn’t, and the fact that they require care from an exotic animal veterinarian.

Still with us? Great. Here are five important considerations to keep in mind before adopting a pet rabbit.

1. Rabbits have a long lifespan

As mentioned, adopting a rabbit isn’t a short-term deal — you’re signing up for a decade or more of love, daily care, and vet visits. As with any pet, an individual rabbit’s lifespan depends on factors such as genetics, environment, and overall health. 

Breed and size also play roles. “The larger breeds tend to be disposed to genetic issues like arthritis and other ailments that affect movement as they get older,” Koontz says. “They can have a slightly shorter lifespan.”

2. Rabbits need plenty of space

Koontz says a rabbit’s main enclosure should be at least eight square feet, or double that when housing a bonded pair. Most commercial rabbit enclosures are much too small.

“We usually recommend using an exercise pen with a waterproof liner on the bottom as the main enclosure,” she says. “This gives your rabbit more room to stretch out and hop.”

Better yet, you can give your bunny access to a whole room, but be prepared to bun-proof everything. That means covering or blocking off cords (a bunny nibbling favorite), protecting wooden furniture, baseboards, and walls from being chewed, and watching out for carpet, which rabbits will both dig in and eat. Koontz suggests covering carpeted spaces with laminate flooring squares.

3. Rabbits are very social 

In the wild, rabbits tend to stick together, and most pet rabbits enjoy companionship, too. “If the rabbit will be alone most of the day, we recommend having a bun friend for them,” Koontz says. 

But don’t just go sticking any two rabbits together. An incompatible pair of rabbits can lead to serious territorial disputes, including fur pulling and biting. 

“Adopting an already bonded pair would be a great solution,” Koontz says. Bonded pairs are often formed from siblings of the same litter or two rabbits who have gone through the bonding process, which can take up to a few months. Just remember: Two rabbits mean more space, more bunny supplies, and more expenses.

4. Rabbits need daily play

Your rabbit needs at least an hour outside their enclosure each day, but many enjoy several hours of supervised free-roaming time in a fully bunny-proofed room or playpen. If the weather’s nice, you can even set up an exercise pen outside — as long as the grass hasn’t been treated with chemicals, and you’re there to supervise.

Toys are also a big part of keeping rabbits happy, but there’s no need to splurge. “Some easy and cheap suggestions are boxes filled with newspaper or crumpled paper strips, putting a treat in the middle of a paper towel tube and filling the rest of the tube up with hay, or even some unprinted cardboard that they can dig and chew on,” Koontz says. 

5. Rabbits have strict diets

A healthy rabbit diet provides them with essential fiber, protein, and fats for their life stage. These important nutrients come from a strict diet of at least 80 percent hay and no more than 15 percent pellets and five percent treats, Koontz says. 

Rabbits’ teeth grow continuously (up to two millimeters a week). In addition to providing essential nutrients, chewing hay helps wear down their teeth, preventing serious dental issues and destructive chewing. As a rule of thumb, Koontz recommends offering your rabbit a pile of hay each day that’s about the size of their body.

But there’s more than one type of hay, and each has different nutrients. Alfalfa hay is higher in calcium and protein, making it a great choice for young rabbits, while timothy hay, orchard hay, or brome grass are better suited for adult rabbits.

Treats for rabbits include leafy greens, a tiny bit of fresh fruit, or an occasional hay-based treat. Koontz warns against feeding rabbits nuts, seeds, corn, or colorful mix-ins found in some pellet blends because they can cause digestive blockages.

Unexpected considerations of having a rabbit 

Each rabbit is unique, but there are a few common quirks and rabbit care requirements that may surprise new bun parents. 

Grooming needs

Unlike cats, rabbits can’t cough up hairballs, so any fur they swallow during grooming has to pass through their digestive system. If too much is ingested, it can cause a dangerous blockage. To prevent this, rabbits need regular brushing — at least a few times a week, and even more during heavy shedding seasons (about three times a year). Rabbits also need routine nail trims. 

Daily habitat maintenance 

Koontz says rabbits don’t have a strong odor (they don’t need baths), but their urine contains high levels of ammonia that can get smelly fast. To keep things hygienic and fresh-smelling, spot-clean the enclosure daily and deep clean it once a week. 

Litter box training

Rabbits poop a lot — 200 to 300 pellets a day, according to the San Diego House Rabbit Society. That’s why many rabbit owners choose to litter box train their buns. 

Temperature regulation 

Those oversized ears do more than look adorable, they help regulate a rabbit’s body temperature. Without access to cool underground burrows, caring for a pet rabbit indoors means taking extra steps to prevent heat stress, which can be deadly. Ideally, rabbits should be kept in a cool, dry environment between 60 and 65 degrees Fahrenheit, with humidity levels under 60 percent, according to Michigan State University.  

Handling pet bunnies

Koontz advises careful consideration before adopting a rabbit whom young children will help care for. “Rabbits have very fragile bones that break easily,” she explains. They tend to wiggle when picked up, and a fall or rough handling can cause serious, permanently disabling injuries, or even be fatal. 

Veterinary care

If your rabbit isn’t already spayed or neutered, it’s highly recommended. Around 70 to 80 percent of unspayed females will develop uterine cancer, and unneutered males may display aggressive behaviors. The procedure typically costs between $150 and $250. Rabbits also need annual wellness exams with a veterinarian who specializes in exotic animals, which tend to be more expensive and harder to find than a small animal veterinarian. Depending on where you live, routine checkups may range from $75 to $200. Emergency care, such as treatment for a digestive blockage, can cost significantly more.

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How much does a rabbit cost to care for? 

Rabbits are not low-maintenance pets. “Rabbits require just as much (if not more) care than cats and dogs,” Koontz says, and can end up costing you more in food, habitat needs, and veterinary care. 

How much does a rabbit cost to adopt? 

Adoption fees typically range from $50 to $150. Reputable rescues usually spay or neuter their rabbits before adoption, saving you money. Many rabbits from rescues are also already litter-trained, vet-checked, and socialized. 

You may choose to have your newly adopted rabbit vaccinated against RHDV-2, which is highly recommended and costs $30 to $50 plus an exam fee. “While not required, it is an optional vaccine that helps combat the RHVD disease, which is often fatal for rabbits when caught,” Koontz says.  

Where can I adopt a rabbit?

Ready to adopt a bunny? Start your search on Adopt a Pet to be connected with reputable rescues and shelters near you. Finding a reputable adoption site often saves you time and money in the long run: Many rabbits come already spayed or neutered, litter box trained, and socialized, making the transition into your home a smoother one.

If you’re unsure about adopting just yet, why not try fostering a rabbit? It’s a fantastic way to explore the joys of pet parenthood without a long-term commitment.

Commonly asked questions

How to care for a bunny during winter? 

Aside from supervised play in an outdoor playpen, pet rabbits should live indoors. Even though many people associate rabbits with outdoor hutches or farm life, Koontz says keeping rabbits outside isn’t ideal for their health or safety. “Those rabbits have a reduced life expectancy,” she says, adding that outdoor rabbits are vulnerable to extreme temperatures, predators, and stress. 

How much do bunnies cost? 

The initial adoption fee for a rabbit typically ranges from $50 to $150. Including setup expenses and routine veterinary care, you can expect to spend between $835 and $1,650 or more in the first year of caring for a pet rabbit. Adopting from a reputable breeder that spays or neuters your rabbit can help save on initial and long-term medical costs. After the initial setup, the yearly cost of caring for a rabbit ranges from $500 to $1,000 or more, depending on their health needs and the quality of food and supplies you choose.