What do rabbits need?

[JR1030]

Sorry for such a general question. My mom just got back from visiting my sister, and mentioned that my sister has a bunny, but the bunny just has a little hutch, maybe 1 1/5 ft by 2 ft. by 1 1/2 ft, with some bedding (not sure what), and food and water, but that's it.  She was comparing it to my 6 rats who live in a 2 level Ferret Nation with hammocks, toys, hidey houses, etc.  She said she kind of felt sorry for the bunny because he doesn't have any of that stuff, and he doesn't have rabbit friends.  Does he need that stuff?  I'm afraid I don't know anything about bunnies at all.  Thanks!

[SophiesHouseRescueNJ]

Bunnies that live alone need ALOT of free range time or they get depressed.. We let ours out everyday for hours

[MaevePotter]

go to www.rabbit.org ... they need a lot of room. My bunny lives in a NIC condo I made for him. You can buy the wires at target, then just floor it with remnant carpet and include litter box. They are happier with friends.

[MaevePotter]

http://www.goosemoose.com/component/option,com_smf/Itemid,118/forum,rabbit/topic,4018012.0 see here for pics of my cage

[JR1030]

Eek...it sounds like my sister's bunny isn't really getting what she needs.  Uh oh.

[VegetarianPetLuvR]

They definitely need a TON of free range time, especially if they live alone. Bunnies are more like cats, in the sense that they're really house pets, not cage pets. My lone bun has his own room, which he has free range of except at night, and gets out into the rest of the house as well. They need a lot of space to run and jump and make mischief

[JR1030]

Oh boy.  I'm not sure if I can do anything about my sister's bun.  She's got a premature baby with lots of issues fresh home from the hospital, plus two dogs and a cat.  I don't think the bunny gets out much. 

[Scubbs]

Oh boy.  I'm not sure if I can do anything about my sister's bun.  She's got a premature baby with lots of issues fresh home from the hospital, plus two dogs and a cat.  I don't think the bunny gets out much. 

Sounds like she's a little too busy for a rabbit.  Can you rehome him?

[JR1030]

Oh boy.  I'm not sure if I can do anything about my sister's bun.  She's got a premature baby with lots of issues fresh home from the hospital, plus two dogs and a cat.  I don't think the bunny gets out much. 

Sounds like she's a little too busy for a rabbit.  Can you rehome him?

Um, that's a bit touchy.  She lives 5 hours away, and she's kind of sensitive.  She loves the bunny and has had him/her for a long time.  I don't think she'd take too kindly to me all of a sudden butting in and telling her she ought to get rid of the bunny.  My mom was the one who saw her and the bunny most recently.

[Scubbs]

Oh okay, I understand.

Rabbits are a lot of work and are sometimes very trying.  They're definitely not for the novice owner, and they're one of the most misunderstood pets around.  They have an extremely sensitive GI tract, and need a special diet (plain, timothy hay-based pellets, unlimited grass hay, and lots of fresh veggies/herbs).  They also need a great deal of free-range time (4-8 hours a day).  Their veterinary care can be extremely expensive, especially once they get older.

For one rabbit, you're looking at a cage this size (though large pens/bunny-proofed rooms are preferred), which is 56" L x 28" W x 28" H.

[JR1030]

Gad, the cage is definitely not that big, but the bunny does get out and about in the bathroom...not sure how often or for how long.  I know she takes the bun to the vet, though, because they thought he/she had a stroke, and got vet care for that.  The bun has recovered, but they think he/she is blind in one eye.  Oh, dear.