House rabbits are wonderful companions — quiet, litter-trainable, and full of personality. They’re also widely misunderstood, which is why so many end up surrendered. Here’s what to know before a rabbit joins your household.
They’re not a starter pet
Rabbits often live 8 to 12 years and need daily care, space to run, and an experienced exotic-savvy vet. They’re prey animals with subtle body language, and most dislike being picked up. If you want a cuddly lap pet, a rabbit may disappoint; if you want a curious, opinionated floor companion, you’re in the right place.
Yes, they can be litter trained
Most rabbits take to a litter box quickly, especially after spaying or neutering. Use paper-based litter (never clumping clay or softwood shavings) with a layer of hay on top — rabbits like to munch while they go.
Hay is not optional
Unlimited grass hay should make up the vast majority of a rabbit’s diet, with fresh leafy greens daily and only a small measured amount of pellets. Carrots are sugary treats, not a staple — the cartoons lied.
They will chew. Plan for it.
Rabbits’ teeth grow continuously, and chewing is how they manage them. Protect every electrical cord with split-loom tubing, block access behind furniture, and provide plenty of legal chewing: untreated willow balls, cardboard, and apple wood sticks.
Space and exercise
A cage is a bedroom, not a life. House rabbits need several hours of supervised free-roam time daily, or a large exercise pen as their home base. Many owners eventually free-roam their rabbits entirely, like a cat.
Spay or neuter — really
Beyond preventing litters, it dramatically reduces spraying, aggression, and destructive behavior, and protects females from uterine cancer, which is very common in unspayed rabbits.
The payoff
A happy house rabbit flops dramatically onto its side, does joyful leaping twists called binkies, and follows you around hoping for greens. Do the homework, and few pets are more rewarding to share a home with.