Understanding what not to do is just as important as knowing the right ways to care for your bunny. Sometimes we will inadvertently do something that causes more harm than good. Since rabbits are more delicate than other common household pets, it’s easier to accidentally make mistakes when caring for them.
By learning about the things you should never do to your bunny, you’ll be better equipped to provide a safe and nurturing environment for your rabbit. These guidelines will help you avoid common pitfalls and ensure your rabbit lives a happy and healthy life.
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1. Never hold a rabbit by the ears or the scruff of the neck
Holding a rabbit by the ears is extremely harmful and painful for your bunny. Their ears are delicate structures filled with blood vessels and nerves so holding them by the ears can cause serious injury.
The same goes for holding a rabbit by the scruff of their neck. Unlike cats, mother rabbits do not carry their babies around, so the scruff of a rabbit’s neck does not develop in the same way as baby cats. Picking a rabbit up by the scruff can cause the skin to separate from the muscle beneath it, causing serious damage.
Instead, always support your rabbit’s body when lifting or carrying them. Place one hand under their chest and the other supporting their hindquarters.
2. Never give a rabbit a bath
Rabbits are naturally clean animals and rarely need bathing. Like cats, rabbits will regularly groom themselves to stay clean. For most rabbits, you will not ever have to worry about cleaning them as long as they are kept in clean conditions.
However, if your rabbit gets into something sticky and messy, or if they become disabled or too fat to keep themselves clean, you still want to avoid giving your rabbit a bath.
The main reasons you should avoid bathing a rabbit include:
- Bathing is extremely stressful for rabbits. It may cause them to panic, potentially leading to injury.
- Wet rabbit fur takes a long time to dry, putting them at risk of hypothermia.
- Water in a rabbit’s ears can lead to ear infections.
- Rabbit skin is delicate, especially when wet. It is also prone to irritation from soaps and shampoos.
If your rabbit gets very dirty or has a medical issue requiring cleaning, spot clean your rabbit instead of bathing. For some serious issues with disabled rabbits, you may need to occasionally give them a butt bath to help keep them clean, but this is not something that you should do with most rabbits.
3. Never give a rabbit chocolate
Rabbits have a serious sweet tooth, but you should stick to bits of sweet fruit as treats and avoid sweet candies that are made for humans. Chocolate, in particular, is toxic to bunnies and can cause some serious health issues, especially in chocolate with a high percentage of cacao.
I have found that, while rabbits will generally avoid most human foods, chocolate is one that actually smells good to them. I’ve seen many rabbits try to go after chocolate as if it’s a yummy treat.
I recommend keeping any chocolate completely out of reach of your rabbit to avoid any accidents. If you suspect your bunny has eaten chocolate, contact a veterinarian immediately. I’ve known rabbits to take a bite or two of chocolate and be fine with no symptoms, but any more than that and it could be serious.
4. Never leave a live wire where a rabbit can chew it
Rabbits have a natural inclination to chew on things. Electrical wires are at the top of the list of dangerous objects that rabbits love to chew on (my theory is that they look like hay or twigs that rabbits might come across in their natural environment). Unfortunately, this puts rabbits at a serious risk for electrocution.
To protect your rabbit, take these precautions:
- Cover all exposed wires with protective tubing or cord concealers (something cheap like split loom wire tubing will work)
- Keep electrical cords out of reach by running them behind furniture or up and out of your rabbit’s reach
- Use cord management systems to bundle and organize wires so you don’t have stray wires falling into your rabbit’s reach
- Provide safe chewing alternatives like wooden toys or hay
If you notice your rabbit showing interest in electrical cords, immediately redirect their attention to appropriate chew toys and move the wire or block of the area.
5. Never Leave a Pet Rabbit and Dog unsupervised
While rabbits and dogs can get along (depending on the personality of your two pets), it’s best to always supervise them when they are together. This allows you to intervene if necessary and ensures the safety of both pets.
Dogs are natural predators, while rabbits are prey animals. This fundamental difference can lead to dangerous situations, even with well-behaved pets. Even if neither pet is showing any aggressive tendencies, rabbits and dogs play differently. Dogs may accidentally injure rabbit friends simply by being a little more rambunctious.
Remember, your rabbit’s safety is your responsibility. By keeping them separated when unsupervised, you protect both your pets and promote a harmonious household.
- Learn more about safely keeping both
6. Never let your rabbit run out of hay
Hay is essential for your rabbit’s health and well-being. Rabbits have a unique digestion that needs to be constantly moving. This means that they need to be eating frequently throughout the day. Hay provides crucial fiber that keeps your bunny’s digestive system functioning properly.
Offer fresh hay daily and remove any soiled or wet portions. A hay rack can help keep it clean and accessible. Always have a backup supply of hay on hand, since running out could disrupt your bunny’s diet and potentially lead to digestive problems.
- Learn more about a healthy rabbit diet
7. Never wait to go to the vet if your rabbit is sick
Rabbits are prey animals and often hide signs of illness. By the time you notice symptoms, your bunny may already be seriously ill and need immediate medical attention.
Key signs to watch for:
- Loss of appetite
- Lack of energy
- Unusual droppings or lack of droppings
- Difficulty breathing
- Cold-like symptoms (discharge from eyes or nose)
If you observe any of these symptoms, contact your veterinarian immediately. Rabbits can go from seeming completely fine, to being extremely sick in less than a day. Delaying treatment can be life-threatening for rabbits.
Trust your instincts. If something seems off with your bunny, it’s better to err on the side of caution and seek professional advice.
- Learn more about symptoms of illness in rabbits that you should not ignore
8. Never Leave your rabbit alone for multiple days
Leaving rabbits alone for extended periods can be detrimental to their health and well-being. Never leave for a weekend trip without arranging for a pet sitter or family member to come and take care of your bunny.
Not only are rabbits prone to getting sick quickly and need immediate medical attention (see the previous point), but they are also social animals that require daily care and attention. Loneliness and lack of interaction can cause stress and depression in rabbits. They thrive on companionship and need that mental stimulation.
You can consider getting a bonded pair of rabbits if you frequently travel. They can provide companionship for each other (but will still require daily human care).
