Rabbit Awareness Week: Understanding What Rabbits Really Need

Rabbits are intelligent, social animals with complex needs. Despite being one of the UK's most popular pets, many rabbits still live in accommodation that's too small, eat unsuitable diets, or live alone. Rabbit Awareness Week is the perfect time to highlight the essentials that help rabbits thrive.

Rabbits Are a Long-Term Commitment Many people are surprised to learn that pet rabbits can live for 8–12 years or even longer with excellent care. Bringing home a rabbit should be considered a commitment similar to owning a dog, with ongoing costs for housing, nutrition, enrichment and veterinary care.

Diet Is the Foundation of Good Health A rabbit's digestive system is designed for a high-fibre diet. Welfare experts recommend that around 85–90% of their daily intake should be grass or feeding hay, supported by fresh leafy greens, a small amount of quality nuggets and constant access to fresh water. A poor diet can contribute to digestive problems, obesity and dental disease.

Their Health Depends on Prevention Rabbit teeth grow continuously throughout their lives, making fibre-rich foods essential for natural tooth wear. Owners should also watch for changes in appetite, behaviour, droppings or activity levels, as rabbits often hide signs of illness. Regular health checks and preventative veterinary care can make a significant difference to long-term wellbeing.

A Hutch Is Not Enough Rabbits are active animals that need room to run, jump, stretch, dig, forage and stand fully upright. The Rabbit Welfare Association & Fund recommends a minimum living space of 3m x 2m x 1m high for a bonded pair, (an additional 1m per extra rabbit) with permanent access to exercise space. Housing should allow rabbits to express their natural behaviours every day.

Rabbits Need Specialist Healthcare Although rabbits are a common pet, they are classified as exotic animals and have very different anatomy, behaviour and medical needs compared to cats and dogs. This means they should ideally be treated by a veterinarian with experience and training in rabbit and exotic animal medicine. Rabbits are also prey animals, so they often hide signs of illness until they become seriously unwell. Changes in eating habits, droppings, behaviour, movement or energy levels should never be ignored.

Rabbits Need Rabbit Friends Rabbits are highly social and generally thrive when living with a compatible rabbit companion. In fact, companionship is considered one of their core welfare needs. A well-bonded pair can provide comfort, grooming, security and social interaction that humans simply cannot replace.

Enrichment & Foraging: More Than Just Play Rabbits are intelligent, active animals that have evolved to spend many hours each day exploring, grazing and searching for food. In the wild, rabbits don't simply eat from a bowl—they forage, investigate new scents and interact with their environment. Encouraging rabbits to work for some of their food helps replicate natural behaviours and provides valuable mental stimulation, making life more rewarding and enriching.

Rabbit Awareness Week Reminder Happy rabbits need more than food and shelter. They need space to explore, companions to socialise with, a species-appropriate diet and proactive healthcare. Understanding these needs helps rabbits live healthier, happier and more fulfilling lives.