When most people consider bringing home a house pet, they think of a cat, a dog, or perhaps even a guinea pig. Bunnies can just as easily be kept as indoor pets and make loving human companions. These little hoppers sometimes love to be snuggled and petted, enjoy playing with toys and exploring, and can even be trained to use a litter area or tray much like a cat. But keeping a rabbit indoors also comes with a few necessary preparations and considerations.
Give your bunny proper shelter inside the home.
Even though your rabbit will be essentially in a shelter already, it is still important that they have a shelter of their own, such as an indoor bunny hutch like our Abby Hutch, in the house. You definitely will not want your rabbit roaming the rooms of the house unsupervised because they can quickly get themselves into trouble. Plus, if you have other pets, a hutch provides a space for safe keeping of your rabbit when you are not around to ensure everyone is getting along. The hutch can be looked at as a secure base for your bunny where they can find their food, sleep and rest, or hide when they need extra security.
Prepare a litter area for your bunny.
Just like a cat, rabbits can be trained to use a litter tray, but the tray and what’s in it should be a little different than for a feline. You can simply line a litter tray with newspaper and top it with hay or a bunny-safe litter. Place the litter tray in an easy-to-access area in the house or in the rabbit’s hutch. If your rabbit has an accident or seems to prefer going in a certain spot, move the tray to that area so they can get the idea. Keep in mind that some indoor hutches have a pull-out tray bottom that works perfectly for capturing droppings and urine. If your bunny is not spayed or neutered, they may try to mark their territory with urine, which can make them harder to train to use a litter tray.
Watch out for dangers to your rabbit around the house.
Rabbits love to run and play and do need as much as six hours of roaming time every day, so allowing them to roam freely in the house is a good idea. However, allowing your bunny to roam freely through the house also means you will have to keep them away from certain dangers. A few dangers to eliminate include:
- Electrical cords and wires that your rabbit will try to chew
- Accessible foods and beverages that can be harmful to your bunny’s sensitive digestive system
- Open cabinets where your pet can get trapped
- Pets that could be a threat, such as a dog or a cat that may see the bunny as prey
- Potted plants that could be poisonous if your rabbit ingests them
Keeping your pet rabbit inside definitely comes with its advantages–from easily monitoring their health to giving them more love and social interaction. Just be sure you prepare your home with the supplies needed and clear any dangers before bringing your new bunny home.