If you’ve been around me for more than five minutes, you probably already know — I am absolutely in love with my rabbits. I share my home with Chungus and Puppy Dog, my bonded pair who are genuinely inseparable, and my newest addition Johnny Wohnny, who I adopted from the House Rabbit Society after fostering him. I also volunteer at HRS in Richmond, where I administer subcutaneous RHDV vaccinations. Rabbits have completely taken over my life, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. Here’s everything I wish someone had told me when I first started out.

Chungus and Puppy Dog Chungus (left) bowing for head pets while Puppy Dog keeps one eye on the treat bag — these two in a nutshell.

Diet: 80% Hay, Every Day

The single most important part of your rabbit’s diet is unlimited fresh timothy hay. I cannot stress this enough. Hay keeps their continuously growing teeth worn down and their GI system moving — and trust me, you do NOT want to deal with GI stasis (more on that below).

Puppy Dog is purely food-motivated. That bunny lives and breathes for mealtime. When I rustle a bag of greens, she’s already at my feet before I’ve even opened the fridge. Chungus is a bit pickier — he’ll nose through his salad looking for his favorite bits first.

Daily diet breakdown:

Hay (80%): Timothy hay for adults, alfalfa hay for babies under 6 months
Fresh greens (15%): Romaine, cilantro, parsley, basil — about 1 packed cup per 2 lbs of body weight
Pellets (5%): Plain timothy-based pellets, no seeds or dried fruit mixed in — about 1/4 cup per 5 lbs of body weight
Treats: Small amounts of fruit (apple, banana, berries) a few times per week

Avoid: Iceberg lettuce, potatoes, beans, bread, cereal, yogurt drops, and seed mixes marketed as “rabbit food.”

For hay recommendations, check out Small Pet Select — my bunnies and I love their timothy hay and Flower Power Herb Blend.

Housing: Space Matters

Rabbits need far more space than pet stores suggest. A rabbit should have an enclosure that’s at least 4x their body length — and they need several hours of supervised exercise (free-roaming) daily. Chungus is BIG (he earned that name honestly), so he especially needs room to stretch out and do his dramatic flops.

Housing options:

C&C cage panels — modular, spacious, and customizable
X-pen (exercise pen) — easy to set up and gives plenty of room
Free-roam room — the gold standard, if your home is rabbit-proofed

Rabbit-proofing essentials:

Cover all electrical cords (rabbits chew everything)
Block access behind furniture where they can get stuck
Remove toxic houseplants (lilies, pothos, philodendrons)
Protect baseboards with plastic guards or bitter spray

RHDV: The Vaccination Every Rabbit Owner Should Know About

This one is really close to my heart. Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease Virus (RHDV2) is a highly contagious, often fatal virus that has been spreading across the United States, including California. It can be transmitted through direct contact with infected rabbits, contaminated surfaces, insects, and even on clothing or shoes.

Key facts:

RHDV2 has a mortality rate of up to 90% in unvaccinated rabbits
Rabbits can die within 1-3 days of showing symptoms — sometimes with no symptoms at all
The virus can survive on surfaces for months
Both indoor and outdoor rabbits are at risk

The vaccine: The RHDV2 vaccine (Medgene) is available through exotic veterinarians and organizations like the House Rabbit Society. Rabbits need an initial dose followed by a booster, then annual revaccination.

I administer RHDV vaccinations as part of my volunteer work at the House Rabbit Society in Richmond, California. Giving those subcutaneous injections and knowing each one could save a rabbit’s life — it’s one of the most rewarding things I do. If your rabbit hasn’t been vaccinated, please don’t wait. Schedule an appointment with an exotic vet in the Bay Area.

Common Health Issues to Watch For

GI Stasis

The most common emergency in rabbits. If your rabbit stops eating, has small or no droppings, or sits hunched up, this is urgent — get to a vet within hours. With a food-obsessed bunny like Puppy Dog, if she ever turned down a treat, I’d be in the car headed to the vet immediately.

Dental Problems

Like guinea pigs, rabbit teeth grow continuously. Overgrown molars cause pain, drooling, and appetite loss. Yearly dental checkups with an exotic vet are essential.

Fly Strike

Especially in warm weather, flies can lay eggs in soiled fur (particularly around the rear). This is life-threatening and requires immediate veterinary care. Keep your rabbit’s living area clean and check their underside daily in summer.

Head Tilt

A sudden head tilt can indicate an inner ear infection or E. cuniculi (a parasite). This needs prompt veterinary treatment but has a good prognosis if caught early.

Bonding: Why Pairs Are Better

Rabbits are social animals and thrive with a bonded companion. A single rabbit can become lonely and depressed. Bonding takes patience — it should be done in neutral territory and supervised until the rabbits are comfortable together.

Chungus and Puppy Dog are bonded and completely inseparable — they groom each other, sleep smooshed together, and Chungus literally bows his head down asking Puppy Dog for pets. He’s so animated with his emotions, you always know exactly how he’s feeling. And then there’s Johnny Wohnny, my newest boy. I fostered him through HRS and just couldn’t let him go. He’s the sweetest — after you give him pets, he licks your hands like he’s saying thank you. My heart is so full with these three.

If you’re thinking about getting a second rabbit, I highly recommend it — but do your research on proper bonding technique first, or consult a rabbit-savvy rescue for guidance.

Need someone who understands rabbit health — including GI stasis monitoring, medication administration, and RHDV awareness — to care for your bunnies while you’re away? Learn about our in-home pet sitting and rabbit boarding in San Francisco.

Rabbit Care Essentials