Having owned and cared for many rabbits during my life, including a Netherland Dwarf now, I consider myself to be a good Bunny Daddy.

Rabbits require a lot of care. They are not like a hamster or gerbil. The level of care a bunny needs, if he is to be taken care of properly, is the same as a cat or dog.

Given the amount of care needed, it would be impossible to cover even a fraction of the requirements in a single blog post. There are entire websites dedicated to the subject, which I highly recommend you research before getting a bunny, and reference in the years after.

I will instead bullet point some of the most important creteria, for rabbit care.

• Ensure you have the time to dedicate to your rabbit, before buying.
• A healthy, balanced and varied diet is essential.
• Rabbits are much better suited to living indoors as opposed to outside.
• Talk to your rabbit every day.
• Give your rabbit lots of strokes and cuddles every day.
• Respect your rabbit. If he doesn’t want to be touched, come back later.
• Not all rabbits like to be picked up.
• A rabbit should be able to perform at least 3 ‘hops’ in his cage. Otherwise, it’s too small and cruel.
• Minimise the amount of time they spend in their cage. Ensure they are allowed in their exercise pen or to run around your house, at least once a day.
• Ensure your bunny is kept well away from electrical cables. He will nibble them!
• Keep your rabbit away from loud noises.
• Rabbits can die of fright. Keep him away from dogs, cats and other predators.
• Ensure your rabbit is not exposed to extreme heat or cold. Keep him out of direct sunlight.
• It is essential to their health that you have your rabbit neutured. This will protect them from many cancers.
• Ensure your bunny is fully vaccinated against disease. Vaccinations in the UK consist of RHD1, RHD2 and myxomatosis. They will require a booster every 6 or 12 months.
• A rabbits cage and run must be kept very clean, especially in the summer, when they are at risk of catching flystrike
• Reguarly check your bunny’s ears, nose, mouth and eyes, to ensure he is healthy. In addition, search his body for lunps.
• Report any health concerns you have for your rabbit, to a vet as a matter of urgency.
• Take out pet insursnce, to cover any unexpected vet bills.
• It is reccommended, but not essential, to keep bunnies in pairs. If you own a single rabbit, daily human interaction is even more crucial.

Be patient with your bunny. It will take a long time to train your rabbit to fully trust you and show love. While spending time with your bun requires a lot of effort, the rewards are great – before long, your rabbit will become a much-loved member of your family.

Finally, rabbits can live for up to 12 years, and are therefore a long commitment.