Rabbits as Pets

By Sophie Kininmonth · 8 Dec 2025 (updated 21 Jul 2026) ·5 min read

Rabbits are quiet, curious companions that can live happily indoors, learn a daily routine, and bond closely with a calm household. A healthy rabbit with room to move is genuinely good company: ears turning to small sounds, nose working the air, long pauses that break into a sudden dash across the room. They are also more fragile than most first-time owners expect, and a "starter hutch" with a bag of pellets is not enough to keep one well. One point of Australian law first: rabbits are legal to keep in most states but are banned as pets in Queensland, so check your state authority before you commit. Get the basics right from day one and a rabbit is an easy animal to enjoy.^{1, 2}

Temperament and Personality

Rabbits are observant, social animals that do best when they can choose to approach rather than be chased or grabbed. Many learn their household routines and become comfortable with gentle daily contact over time. They suit homes that can offer steady, quiet care, and compared with dogs they need less outdoor space. They are not a low-effort pet, though. Their welfare depends on daily feeding and cleaning, regular social time, and an enclosure that supports movement and normal rabbit behaviour, not a small hutch used as permanent housing.^{1, 4}

Is a Rabbit Right for You?

Breed matters less than temperament, size, coat type, and your ability to provide space and daily care. Rabbits sold as babies grow quickly, so plan housing and diet for an adult rabbit, not the size you see in the pet shop window. When choosing one, look for calm, steady movement and clear signs of good health: bright eyes, a clean bottom, and normal breathing. Ask what the rabbit currently eats and change food slowly, because sudden diet changes can upset a rabbit's gut. If you can commit to daily care, gentle handling, and veterinary costs including desexing, a rabbit is a rewarding pet. If you are after something you can set up and largely ignore, it is not the right animal.^{4, 5}

Care and Housing

A rabbit's space should have two clear zones: a secure resting and sleeping area, and a larger run or room where it can hop, stretch out fully, and choose different spots for eating and toileting. Many hutches marketed for rabbits are too small to meet those needs on their own. Space recommendations vary by source, but Australian guidance consistently emphasises generous room for movement and daily exercise. As a practical minimum, aim for an enclosure or run that allows several full hops end to end and enough height for your rabbit to sit upright comfortably, with time outside the sleeping area every day.^{1, 3, 4}

Set-up essentials

Solid flooring: avoid wire floors for primary standing areas, as they can injure feet.⁴
Weather protection: rabbits need shade, ventilation, and protection from extremes, especially heat.³
Safe enrichment: hiding places, tunnels, and chew-safe items help rabbits express normal behaviour and keep moving.³
Predator-proofing: outdoor areas must be secure from dogs, cats, foxes, and birds of prey, and protected against digging escapes.³

Diet and Nutrition

A rabbit's diet is built around fibre. For most adult rabbits, unlimited grass hay should make up the bulk of daily intake, supporting normal gut movement and helping wear down continuously growing teeth.^{2, 6}

A simple, safe starting guide

Unlimited hay: keep fresh grass hay available at all times, as most adult rabbits should eat mostly hay.^{2, 6}
Leafy greens daily: offer a small variety, introduced gradually to avoid stomach upsets.⁵
Pellets in moderation: pellets are easy to overfeed, and many rabbits do well on small amounts alongside hay and greens.⁵
Fresh water always: provide clean water, checked daily. A heavy bowl is often easier to keep flowing than a bottle, but either works if kept clean.
Treats are truly occasional: sweet foods can crowd out hay and contribute to weight gain and digestive trouble.⁵

Health and Lifespan

Rabbits hide illness well, so subtle changes deserve fast attention. Eating less, smaller droppings, sitting hunched, or a rabbit that suddenly will not move around should be treated as urgent until a vet says otherwise. A rabbit-savvy veterinarian is worth finding before you need one.²

Desexing (spaying and neutering)

Desexing is widely recommended for pet rabbits. It helps prevent unwanted litters, can reduce some territorial behaviours, and significantly reduces the risk of serious reproductive disease, especially uterine cancer in unspayed females.⁷

Dental and gut health

Rabbit teeth grow throughout life. Long-stem fibre from hay supports normal tooth wear, while low-fibre diets increase the risk of dental overgrowth and related problems that can make eating painful.^{2, 6}

Grooming and Care

Most rabbits keep themselves clean, but they still need routine checks. Regular brushing reduces swallowed fur, especially during moults, and helps you notice lumps, sore skin, or parasites early. Nails may need trimming, and if you are unsure where the quick is, ask your vet or a rabbit-experienced groomer to show you safely. Keep the living area dry and well-ventilated, remove soiled litter daily, and do a deeper clean regularly. Clean bowls and fresh hay matter more than scented sprays or deodorising products, which can irritate a rabbit's airways.

Socialising and Bonding

Rabbits settle best with calm, predictable handling. Sit on the floor, let the rabbit come to you, and use slow, steady movements. Being lifted can be frightening and physically risky if a rabbit struggles, so support the body fully and keep sessions brief unless your rabbit is genuinely relaxed. Many rabbits do well with a compatible rabbit companion, but introductions should be managed carefully, and desexing supports safer bonding in most cases.⁷

The Bottom Line

Rabbits thrive on quiet consistency: plenty of space, a hay-based diet, protection from heat and predators, and gentle daily contact on the rabbit's terms. Check that they are legal in your state first, then get those foundations right, and you are likely to see the best of them, alert, curious, and steady in the home.^{1, 2, 3}

References

Sophie Kininmonth

Dog lover and writer at My Pets Australia, sharing practical breed guides and care advice for Australian pet owners.