What is the daily routine for a small pet rabbit?
Follow this 10-minute morning and evening schedule to keep your rabbit healthy and happy.
Daily Routine
Start your day with a quick check-in on your rabbit's enclosure. Ensure the temperature is below 80°F (27°C) and that the litter box is clean. Spend about 5 minutes in the morning and 5 minutes in the evening on these tasks.
In the morning, provide fresh grass hay and fresh water. Hay should be available at all times, while water should be changed daily. Spend 2 minutes on this.
In the evening, offer a small amount of pellets and fresh vegetables. Pellets should be given in a measured amount of 1/8 cup per 2 pounds of rabbit weight, and vegetables should be introduced slowly, starting with 1-2 tablespoons. Spend 3 minutes on this.
- Morning: Check temperature, clean litter box, provide fresh hay and water.
- Evening: Offer pellets and vegetables.
- Daily: Ensure water is clean and temperature is safe.
Weekly Routine
Once a week, perform a deeper clean of the enclosure. Remove all bedding and replace it with fresh hay. This should take about 15 minutes.
Check the enclosure for any signs of wear or damage. Look for sharp edges or loose wires that could harm your rabbit. Spend 10 minutes on this.
- Weekly: Deep clean the enclosure and replace bedding.
- Check for wear and damage in the enclosure.
Monthly Routine
Monthly, it's important to clean the litter box thoroughly. Use a mild detergent and hot water to scrub the box. Allow it to dry completely before refilling with fresh litter. This should take about 20 minutes.
Inspect the water bottle for any signs of algae or mold. Clean the bottle with hot water and a mild detergent, then rinse thoroughly. This should take about 10 minutes.
- Monthly: Clean the litter box and water bottle.
- Inspect and clean the water bottle.
What to Skip on Busy Days
On particularly busy days, you can skip the deep clean of the enclosure and just remove the soiled bedding. This will still keep the environment clean and safe for your rabbit.
If you're short on time, you can also forgo the daily check of the water bottle. Just ensure you clean it thoroughly the next time you see it.
- Skip deep clean on busy days, just remove soiled bedding.
- May skip daily water bottle check, clean thoroughly next time.
Daily Checks for Early Problem Detection
Every day, look for signs of illness or discomfort in your rabbit. Check for changes in appetite, droppings, and behavior. Look for any signs of injury or illness, such as swelling or discharge.
Ensure your rabbit has access to fresh water at all times. If the water bowl is empty or dirty, refill it immediately.
Observe the rabbit's activity level. A decrease in activity could be a sign of illness or stress.
- Check for changes in appetite, droppings, and behavior daily.
- Ensure fresh water is available at all times.
- Observe activity level for signs of illness or stress.
Keep reading about Rabbit: Rabbit care sheet
Related questions
How often should I clean the rabbit's enclosure?
The enclosure should be cleaned weekly with a deep clean once a month.
What should I feed my rabbit daily?
Provide unlimited grass hay, 1/8 cup of pellets per 2 pounds of rabbit weight, and 1-2 tablespoons of fresh vegetables.
What temperature is safe for a rabbit's habitat?
Keep the habitat temperature below 80°F (27°C) to avoid overheating.
Not veterinary advice. This guide covers husbandry — housing, feeding, cleaning and handling. If your rabbit is injured, off food unusually long, or behaving abnormally, contact a veterinarian.