Rabbits do best with space, routine and fibre. Below is a friendly checklist— what “good” looks like for housing, diet, litter and enrichment, plus a quick guide to introducing bonds and the health signs that need a vet. If you’d like help while you’re away, we can visit at home so your rabbits keep their normal territory and routine.
Indoor & outdoor housing (safe setups)
Indoors (house rabbits)
- Room-sized space or large pen with 24/7 access—tiny hutches don’t work for joints, gut or behaviour.
- Non-slip flooring; two-exit hides; litter tray in each “zone”.
- Chew-proof cables; block tight gaps; stable temperature (no fumes/aerosols near hay or trays).
Outdoors (gardens)
- Walk-in aviary/run attached to an insulated sleeping shed; secure roof and anti-dig skirt.
- Shade, ventilation and dry hay area; raise bowls off damp ground.
- Predator-proof latches; camera/lighting if used should be weather-rated and safe.
Daily tidy checklist
- Top up fresh hay (main food) and water; quick litter scoop.
- 5–10 min visual check: eyes, nose, bottom, movement, appetite, droppings size/shape.
- Rotate enrichment items so the pen feels “new”.
Hay-first diet & safe greens
Aim for ~85–90% hay/grass by volume. Pellets are a measured supplement, not a main meal. Introduce any change gradually over 7–10 days to protect the gut.
| Component | Adult amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Hay (timothy/meadow) | Unlimited | Always available; place racks by litter trays to encourage use. |
| Pellets (high-fibre) | 1–2 tbsp / kg bodyweight / day | Measure; avoid mixes with seeds/corn/molasses. |
| Greens | A mugful / kg bodyweight / day | Rotate: romaine, spring greens, coriander, dill, basil, chicory, dandelion (clean). |
| Treats | Occasional | Tiny fruit pieces or forage only. No yoghurt drops/seedy bars. |
Great greens (rotate)
Spring greens, romaine, coriander, parsley, dill, basil, chicory, fennel fronds, plantain, sow thistle.
Avoid / toxic
Iceberg, onion/garlic/chive, potato/tomato leaves, rhubarb, houseplants (lilies, philodendron), anything mouldy. Introduce new greens slowly.
Litter training that sticks
Setup
- Large tray with paper-based pellets or kiln-dried wood-based litter. No clumping cat litter.
- Place a hay rack so they eat & toilet in one spot—rabbits love this.
- Start smaller area; expand once habits are consistent.
If accidents happen
- Add an extra tray where they choose to go; clean outside spots fully (enzyme cleaner).
- Check for territory issues if newly bonded or unneutered—neutering helps a lot.
Enrichment & calm routines
- Forage boxes (hay + dried forage), willow balls, cardboard tunnels, dig trays (soil/sand/shredded paper).
- Low hidey platforms and “lookouts”; scatter-feed pellets in hay to extend eating time.
- Quiet evenings for grooming/binky time; predictable lights-out helps nerves.
Tip: rotate 2–3 toys daily so the pen feels new without buying more.
Bond introductions (overview)
Go neutral territory → short, calm sessions → gradual space. Start with side-by-side pens, swapping litter trays to share scent. Look for relaxed eating and mirrored grooming before opening space.
Green flags
- Eating side-by-side, loafing near a barrier, mutual grooming through bars.
- Curious sniffs that end quickly; relaxed body language.
Red flags (pause & reset)
- Chasing in circles, fur clumps pulled, tight pinning without release.
- Guarding resources (hay/water) aggressively—add multiples and reduce space.
- Escalation after 10–15 minutes—end on a neutral note, try again shorter.
Vet signs: when to act
Urgent (same day)
- No poo or not eating for 6–8 hours (stasis risk).
- Bloated, grinding teeth, very quiet/hunched, sudden diarrhea.
- Wounds from fighting, maggots (flystrike) or heavy fly eggs.
Soon (book a check)
- Weepy eyes, nasal discharge, sneezing clusters.
- Weight loss, messy bottom, long nails/teeth concerns.
- Behaviour change after a bond—rule out pain or stress.
Always keep a rabbit-savvy vet contact saved before you need it.
Rabbit home-visits in Saltaire
We do calm, reliable home-visits for rabbits—hay & water refresh, pellets by schedule, safe greens checks, litter/pen clean, and gentle social time. You’ll get a short note with a photo after each visit.
Keywords: rabbit sitter Saltaire, rabbit boarding alternative Saltaire.
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