When it comes to the question of how to look after bunny, things have moved on since rabbits were left at the bottom of the garden and thrown the odd carrot.

Modern thinking is that the bunny should be a valued pet and treated accordingly. And, generally, bunny experts now say that your bunny should be kept in your house, rather than out doors.

They highlight the fact the bunnies are very social animals that need affection and benefit from a lot of human interaction. Banishing a rabbit to a draughty, small and dirty cage is the worse that can happen to such creatures.

For those that might be slightly horrified at the thought of the bunny being given houseroom, then it might come as a welcome surprise to know that a rabbit will use a litter box. And that with spayed and neutered animals, the practice of marking territory is less common, making it a clean pet for the household. Spaying and neutering also makes a rabbit less aggressive, reduces tendency to chew everything around and provides the animal with a longer, and healthier life.

It is recommended that male rabbits are neutered between three and six months of age (consider that it should be done before sexual maturity) and that a female is spayed between six to eight months. If you’re rabbit is over two years old, it’s best to get them thoroughly checked over first by a vet to make sure spaying and neutering is a safe option.

So, you can confidently let your rabbit have the run of your house. But, start gradually; do not let your bunny suddenly have complete freedom. Create a cage in a convenient part of your house. Look where your rabbit chooses to go to the toilet and place the litter box there. You might have to place other litter trays in strategic locations throughout the house, but once potty trained so to speak, you can let them out. You can enforce good toilet habits with treats, but be careful not to coerce your rabbit into a toilet regime, as this may misfire.

When your bunny is out and about, be careful they do not cause damage (rabbits love to chew) and especially keep electrical cables out of their way. Make sure they have a number of rabbit toys around.

As to rabbit etiquette whilst they are out and about, do show your bunny care and attention, and do make sure they are not in danger from boisterous dogs, or temperamental cats.

Rabbits are generally healthy, but do suffer from a number of ailments. One of the main problems is that rabbits constantly groom themselves and so create furballs which, unlike cats, they cannot vomit back up. So, keep an eye open for this and if you suspect that your bunny is suffering from such a condition – look for decreased appetite and fewer droppings – get advice from a vet. To avoid it happening in the first place, provide a high fibre diet (plenty of hay); plenty of exercise; and, good grooming with a comb and brush.

Don’t be tempted to give your rabbit sweets, or refined sugar base products. Also, avoid them getting too hot and if they start with cold symptoms, take them to see a vet. Indeed, go to a vet if you see listlessness with diarrhoea; sudden loss of appetite; runny nose; head tilt; sudden behavioural changes; laboured breathing; urine stains on coat; or, lumps and swellings.   

So, when it comes to how to look after your rabbit, there’s a number of things you should make sure you have around.

It should of course have a home and the type will be dictated as to the pet’s location, inside, or outside the house. The house, if outside, should come equipped with a run and if inside, there should be some way of transporting the rabbit to the garden (say with a bunny box).

You will then need feeders, litter box (plus litter), rugs that are washable, toys, water bottles, boxes within the house to help the rabbit exercise, and a plentiful supply of rabbit feed, fresh fruit and water.

Thought must be given to getting grooming equipment and creating a small bunny medical kit, which should include cotton wool swaps, styptic powder and flea control products.

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