15 Rabbit Essentials You Need: 2024 Vet-Reviewed Guide

Over 1.5 million American households know the joy of inviting a rabbit into their lives.¹ With proper training and “rabbit-proofing,” you can let a bunny roam free in your home with many of the same precautions you’d take with a cat or dog, as well as some extra ones. You have plenty of animals to choose from with the 49 recognized breeds of the American Rabbit Breeders Association (ARBA).²

Caring for a bunny includes a lot of evidence-based research, good veterinary support, and common sense actions, such as pet-proofing your home and feeding them a proper hay-based diet. However, it’s essential to learn the unique needs of these lagomorphs to ensure a good quality of life for your pet. Our round-up has you covered with all the necessities.

Veterinary Support

Before even considering getting a rabbit, it’s best to contact your nearby veterinary clinic. They will be able to advise you on preventative measures, such as vaccinations and worming and important husbandry and nutrition information that is crucial for the health and well-being of your future bunny. Having a good relationship with your vet and knowing what is normal for your rabbit is very important so that you can recognize early signs of illness and get them treated quickly.

Rabbits will bring a lot of joy to the right home, but they are sensitive creatures that need a lot of care. They are very different from cats and dogs, so make sure you’ve done your research before getting one.

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The 15 Essential Rabbit Supplies

Food and Feeding Supplies

1. Hay

Kaytee Natural Timothy Hay Small Animal Food provides the necessary high-quality fiber content to keep your rabbit healthy. Fiber ensures normal gut motility, adequate teeth wear, and dental health, while bacteria from the rabbit’s cecum enable its digestion. Unfortunately, lagomorphs have very sensitive digestive systems, making them highly prone to gastrointestinal illnesses and gut stasis, which can be life threatening.

A rabbit’s diet is based solely on hay and grass, and they should make up 85% of their daily food intake, being offered freely at all times. An adult rabbit on a maintenance diet needs about 30-35% fiber daily. The type of hay is an essential factor. Timothy is preferable to alfalfa for long-term adult dietary needs, while alfalfa is suitable for young growing rabbits and pregnant and nursing does.

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2. Pellet Diet

While hay will supply the bulk of your pet’s diet, commercial diets like Oxbow Essentials Adult Rabbit Food provide additional nutritional support. Bacteria in the rabbit’s cecum can synthesize vitamin K and certain B vitamins that rabbits then ingest through cecotrophy. However, they still need other nutrients, such as vitamins A, D, and E. That’s where a commercial diet comes in handy. Make sure to follow the feeding instructions for your pet’s weight and life stage, as pellets shouldn’t make more than 5% of their daily diet.

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3. Food Bowl

Even a medium-sized, 10-pound rabbit is only going to need about ¼ to ½ cup of pellets a day. Therefore, you can be conservative about the capacity of the bowl. We like the Choco Nose Mini Heart Locking Small Pet Feeding Bowl since it’s tip-proof and can be attached to the carrier for travel or inside of the hutch, or a more basic ceramic food bowl. You don’t have to worry about your bunny knocking it over accidentally. It also allows you to monitor your pet’s daily intake to help prevent digestive and dental issues and obesity.

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4. Water Bottle or a Bowl

Rabbits consume about 120 mL/kg of water daily. Remember that hay provides a lot of moisture. Nevertheless, they need adequate fluid intake to aid digestion and hydration. A 10-pound bunny needs about a pint of fresh water every day. Rabbits prefer drinking from a bowl as it comes more naturally, so it’s best to offer both a bowl and a bottle, or just stick to a bowl. A simple ceramic or plastic bowl should do the job. We also like the Ware Critter Carafe Small Animal Water Bottle because it’s big enough with some volume to spare to keep it reasonably cool.

It’s also made of glass. Rabbits chew—a lot! It doesn’t matter if it’s a toy they’re supposed to gnaw on or their only source of fresh drinking water. It’s easy to clean and dishwasher safe.

Treats and Toy Supplies

5. Commercial Treats

Treats can be a great way to provide additional vitamins and nutrients, but they should be given in moderation, as they are not supposed to be the main source of these valuable ingredients. We like Kaytee Baked Apple Timothy Biscuit Small Animal Treats and Oxbow Simple Rewards Oven Baked with Cranberry Small Animal Treats because of their small and convenient size. Your pet will get the nutrition they need with a healthy dose of fiber and protein from their hay and small amounts of pellets, while treats should be only given occasionally and not on a daily basis. The manufacturer recommends one piece or less a day, as overfeeding treats is not healthy for your rabbit and may lead to digestive and dental issues. Speak to your vet when choosing treats for your rabbit.

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6. Fresh Fruits and Vegetables

Fresh fruits and leafy green vegetables are an excellent addition to your rabbit’s diet. They provide nutrients and other beneficial chemical compounds for optimal health. We suggest limiting them to small treats comprising no more than a maximum of 10% of your pet’s daily intake. Fruits should be offered very sparingly (1-2 tablespoons every few days) rather than daily, as they may cause a digestive upset, due to high carbohydrate and in some cases water content. Remember that animals can’t always eat things we can because of our varying physiologies. It’s also best to offer a variety rather than exclusively one type of fruit and veg. Safe options include the following in very small amounts:

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7. Toys

Toys are essential for rabbits, especially if they are something they can chew. They also give them something to explore, preventing and reducing boredom. Also remember that their teeth keep growing their entire lives. Alongside a healthy diet of fiber, various chews and wood helps keep them trim, not unlike using a file on your fingernails. We like the Oxbow Enriched Life Willow Play Cube because of its shape and design. It’ll stay clean because of the open frame that allows airflow through it.

You can also put treats inside of it to make it an interactive toy. Rabbits need mental stimulation just like any other pet. This product fulfills that need in a tasty way.

Housing Supplies

8. Indoor and/or Outdoor Hutch

Adequate and secure housing either inside and/or outside is a must-have with a rabbit. As much as we’d like to let them roam, they’ll inevitably get into mischief or chew something they shouldn’t. It’s also essential if you have other pets in your home or if they have access to the garden, to make sure their housing area is safe. Rabbits need to be in a secure and comfortable space, away from other animal species, as they are prey animals and contact with other animals will cause fear and stress. If they are housed in the garden, it’s imperative to ensure there is no contact with wild rabbits, as they may transmit deadly diseases to your bunny.

Speak to your vet about vaccinations before housing your rabbit outdoors. Now, rabbits are very active and need adequate space to feel comfortable, run, jump, hop and play. This area should be a minimum of 3 x 2 x 1 meter large (120 x 80 x 40 inch), with a separate smaller sheltered area inside or attached to it, 6 x 2 x 2 feet with plenty of bedding. We like the Frisco Wooden Rabbit Run, Brown because it fulfills these needs with the features we like to see in these products, mainly focusing on size and spaciousness. It’s easy to clean and can be placed both indoors and outdoors to make it more comfortable for your bunny.

The positioning of the two doors is brilliant and makes it easy for you and your rabbit to use them. It’s a decent size for most pets, although you should opt for something bigger with larger breeds like the Flemish Giant, or if you have 2 or more rabbits. However, if your rabbit has the run of the house, make sure it’s rabbit-proof by protecting all the cables, keeping the house plants, other pets, any medicines or detergents well out of the way, and supervising your bunny. The final option is to get your DIY tools out and build your own unique rabbit hutch.

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9. Bedding

Of course, you’ll need bedding, whether you get an indoor or an outdoor hutch. Rabbits aren’t as fastidious when it comes to urinating and defecating, making bedding essential. We like the Sweet Meadow Farm Straw Small Pet Bedding because it does an excellent job while also providing a snack for your bunny. It’s soft enough for your bunny to lie on it comfortably. Better yet, it is a dust-free option. Alternatives include shredded paper and vet beds. Every rabbit hutch needs a thorough clean several times a week with daily inspection and maintenance.

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10. Litter Box

Try as we might, keeping the litter inside the smaller sheltered area of the hutch doesn’t always work. It’s bad enough with the bedding without adding the litter, too. That’s what makes the Ware Scatterless Lock-N-Litter Small Animal Litter Pan such a welcome find. It stays in place so that your rabbit can’t knock it over, making cleaning that much easier. The high sides also act as a barrier, which we appreciate.

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11. Litter

Pelleted litters are a godsend for small animals like rabbits. They make cleaning easier with a product that does a better job of absorbing waste. We also liked that the litter is safe to use. Inevitably, everything makes it into a rabbit’s mouth. That makes the Oxbow Bene Terra Eco-Straw Pelleted Wheat Straw Small Animal Litter our pick for the best and safest product.

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12. Litter Scoop

Ditching your plastic scoop for a metal one is a no-brainer. It’s virtually indestructible and infinitely easier to clean. You also don’t have to worry about it absorbing odors. All these things put the Petmate Metal Litter Scoop at the top of our list. The pattern is the right size for getting rid of solid or clumping waste, depending on the litter you use.

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13. Playpen

We’re big fans of letting our rabbits explore the outdoors in a safe and controlled way. However, an enclosure is necessary with so many hazards. We like the Outback Jack Happy Habitat Playpen Tent because it has a roof. Sadly, predators can still spot a bunny if they’re in an open pen, making it an unfair, one-sided pursuit.

While the manufacturer markets this product for cats, it’ll work just as well for your rabbit, but make sure they are not biting or chewing the mesh. Make sure your garden is secure and there is no access to wild animals that may scare or injure your rabbit or expose them to illness. Also ensure there is plenty of shade in warm weather. Alternatively, choose playpens made of metal or wood, which are more durable, and the bunny is less likely to be chewing at it.

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14. Animal Carrier

The Frisco Top Loading Small Pet Carrier ticks off all the boxes we like to see when looking for these products. It’s made of hard plastic, which is a better choice for rabbits than a soft-sided one. It’s also easier to clean. The top-loading design can be practical, but always be careful when picking up your rabbit to ensure you are supporting their back and hind legs, as often, they dislike this and may kick or wriggle out of it, causing serious injuries to their legs or back.

If you want to avoid picking them up, you can use a different kind of carrier, such as YML Plastic Small Animal Carrier Crate, that allows the bunny to enter on their own if you tempt them with some tasty treats, or you can pop them inside, while the top part is disconnected. When the bunny enters, you can safely attach the top and close the front door. Either way, always handle your rabbit gently and ask your vet to show you the safest ways to hold a rabbit, to prevent any unfortunate injuries and bad experiences.

Grooming Supplies

15. Grooming Kit

The Ware Groom-N-Kit for Small Animals has everything you need to keep your bunny looking its best. It has two kinds of brushes to take care of both short and long-haired rabbits. We liked the rubber nibs, which are gentle on your pet’s skin. It also includes nail clippers to keep your bunny’s nails trimmed. That’s especially important if you have an indoor-only pet with no chance to wear them down outside. If you’re not sure how to trim your bunny’ nails, speak to your vet first, and make sure you have a helper who can gently and safely hold the bunny in the process.

Conclusion

Having the right knowledge, veterinary support and supplies can make owning a rabbit safer, easier, and more fulfilling. While bunnies present some challenges similar to ones in dogs and cats, they still have their unique and complex needs. Our round-up covers the basic care needs of your pet rabbit, perhaps with a few you hadn’t considered. Fortunately, as the popularity of these pets has grown, so, too, has the selection of better tailor-made products to suit lagomorphs.

See also:

• 11 Exotic and Rare Rabbit Breeds (With Pictures)
• Do Rabbits Fart? Facts & FAQs

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Featured Image Credit: The Bohemian Lens, Shutterstock