Bunny Basics
If you're getting a new bunny, you're going to need a few things! Download our Bunny Basics Manual to get started.
Pellets
There are several brands of rabbit pellets. Ask us for our suggestion for your bunny when you adopt. You should not make sudden changes to a bunny's diet; instead, if you want to change foods, you should introduce the new food gradually. Follow the instructions for how much to feed your bunny. Typically, this is approximately 1/8 cup of pellets per 5 LBs of rabbit. Learn more about Feeding & Diet.
Hay
Your rabbit must have an unlimited supply of Timothy Hay! We recommend finding a local supplier of high-quality hay. You can buy high-quality hay from us or from the other stores listed at the bottom of this page. You can also find bags of timothy hay at most pet supply stores.
Fresh veggies and Fruit
Your bunny should get fresh veggies every day.
See our Bunny-Safe Veggie List for the dos and don'ts of bunny veggies.
Pellet and Water Dishes
Buy two heavy crocks for food and water. Bunnies should be given ample fresh water in a bowl. Bunnies suck water, and water bottles don't allow them to easily get all the water they need.
Carrier
Small- and medium-sized bunnies fit comfortably in cat-sized carriers. If you are thinking of a pair of bunnies, or a larger breed, choose a medium-sized carrier (on of the sizes meant for small, but not tiny, dogs). Styles that have a top-opening door are the best option if you buy a cat-size carrier.
A House
Even if you intend to allow your bunny to roam free in your home, you'll need a 'home base' for your rabbit. Rabbits enjoy having their own space where they can feel safe, and where they know their litter box, water, and food will always be waiting. See our Bunny Housing page for lots of ideas.
Clean Towels and Blankets
Visit a thrift store to get some towels you can use for your bunnies. You'll need a towel to put in the pet carrier so that your bunny doesn't slip around in the carrier. You'll also use towels in your bunny's new living environment. Look for fleece blankets as well...bunnies love them. Be sure to wash the towels and blankets before you use them for your rabbit!
Litter boxes and Rabbit-Safe Litter
At Rabbit Haven we use Dry Den litter
We recommend a medium-sized cat litter box with sturdy walls, remember, a full litter box can be heavy. Unless your bunny is very small, the smallest-sized litter boxes don't provide enough room. Remember that your bunny may like lounging in the box--with his or her bonded mate--so the box should be large enough to accommodate that. Avoid wood-shaving style litters. These often create aromatic oils that can be toxic to bunnies! We recommend using one of the following types of litter:
Equine Bedding Pellets, such as Dry Den or other options
Recycled newspaper pellets, such as Crown Animal Bedding or Yesterday's News (unscented).
Pulped paper, such as CareFresh Litter
Woodstove Pellets. Woodstove pellets are the least expensive litter you can buy. While they are made out of wood, they are safe for your bunnies.
Cover the bottom of the litter box with one of these litters and then add a generous layer of Timothy Hay on top and voila! The perfect bunny box.
You can dispose of used litter with your yard waste
Note that all of these litter types, along with timothy hay and your bunnies' 'contributions' to the litter box, are compostable: If one of your neighbors is an avid gardener, ask if they'd like the used litter for their compost.
Toys
Bored bunnies get into mischief! You can make your own toys out of the cardboard centers of toilet-paper or paper-towel rolls. You can also use toys meant for birds, which are fairly easy to find at most pet stores. Toys made of plastic will need to be a very hard plastic; bunnies can chew through and ingest softer plastics.
Baby toys made of hard plastic, such as baby keys, are also very popular with bunnies. Learn more about toys.
Online Bunny Supply Resources
Small Pet Select delivers the freshest timothy hay, as well as food, bedding, snacks, and more for rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, ferrets, chinchillas, and other small critters.