From keeping a watchful eye over their ever-growing teeth to topping up their hutches with hay, hay, and more hay — there are some things only rabbit owners can relate to.
Whether you’ve got an indoor rabbit or an outdoor bunny, rabbits are known for being brilliant pets for small homes. That said, they might be smaller than a dog or cat in size, but these energetic creatures still need lots of love, care, and attention.
Like all pets, good rabbit care is important to their health and happiness. But if you're a proud pet parent of a rabbit, you'll know this already. For more things, only rabbit owners can relate to, keep scrolling.
32 things only rabbit owners can relate to
1. They eat their droppings
You might be shocked by this and left wondering do rabbits eat their poop, but most rabbit owners won’t be! Rabbits produce two types of feces: hard fecal pellets which are the waste products and softer ones, which are called caecotrophs.
The latter are jam-packed with nutrients. Most rabbits tend to eat these directly from their rectum so you'll never normally spot them on the ground.
2. Rabbits like having a LOT of space
Whether you have an indoor rabbit or an outdoor rabbit, every rabbit owner will know how much space these friendly balls of fur like to take up. That’s because rabbits need enough space so they can go about their everyday behavior, like binkying, digging, chewing, and thumping — and the best rabbit runs can ensure that this is the case.
But how much room is enough? Well, according to The Rabbit Welfare Association & Fund, a pair of rabbits need at least 3m x 2m with a height of 1m at all times.
3. Their teeth always look great (if well looked after)
If you’ve ever wondered why a rabbit’s teeth always look brand new, it’s probably because they are (sort of!). A rabbit’s teeth never stop growing as, unlike humans and cats and dogs, a bunny’s teeth are ‘open rooted’ which means they will continue to grow their whole life.
It’s believed their incisors (front teeth) grow at around 2-3 mm per week, while their molars (back teeth) grow around 2-3mm every four weeks.
4. Carrots aren’t great for rabbits
Despite what most cartoon characters will have you believe, the best food for rabbits isn’t carrots! High in sugar, a very (very) small piece of this orange veg can be fed to rabbits as a super occasional treat, but carrots shouldn’t be a staple of their diet.
Along with leading to weight gain, carrots can upset a rabbit's digestive system. Instead, all rabbit owners know it’s worth investing in the best hay for rabbits as it forms the foundation of a healthy diet.
5. They eat tons of hay
Talking of hay, this roughage, along with grass, makes up around 85-90% of a rabbit's diet. Along with being rich in fiber, hay and grass help rabbits grind down their teeth which, as we’ve just highlighted, are continuously growing.
6. They are strict herbivores
Of course with all this hay and grass making up most of their diet, it will come as no surprise to owners to hear that rabbits are strict herbivores.
This means they won’t eat any kind of meat at all, just plants. But they can eat a wide variety of greenery. For example, one surprising thing rabbits eat includes mint, dandelions, apples, cucumber, and even parsley!
7. Rabbits are always eating
Of course, all this constant chewing action means rabbits spend anywhere between 6-8 hours a day eating. But as we mentioned, not only does this help keep your rabbit happy and healthy, but it will also prevent boredom and stop rabbits from chewing things they should be.
8. Rabbits like to hide
Most owners might spend a huge chunk of their time wondering where their rabbit is. In the wild, rabbits live in groups in underground burrows known as warrens which have multiple entrances and exits. Therefore, domestic rabbits will tend to reflect this natural instinct to hide, as they are prey animals.
9. Their eyesight is impeccable
Due to the fact they are prey species, rabbits have their eyes on the side of their head. This location of their eyes gives them nearly 360-degree field of vision – meaning they can spot signs of danger from nearly every angle.
10. They like leaving their mark by rubbing their chin
A rabbit’s scent gland is located under the chin of both male and female rabbits, and they will tend to rub along items they wish to claim as their own.
This leaves a scent that only other rabbits can smell. Most owners would have spotted their fur friend doing this on chairs, bowls, beds, and litter trays. But don't panic! It won't mark or damage your furniture. It just lets another rabbit know that another bunny has been here.
11. Rabbits will throw their toys
Most rabbit owners will have spotted their fur friend literally throwing their toys out of their hutch, which can be funny and fascinating to watch in equal measure.
The good news is that this is just part of what they do. So keeping a stash of the best rabbit toys in their living area will come in handy.
12. Rabbits are crepuscular
While most rabbit owners are catching up on some sleep, their fur family is alive and thumping! Rabbits are crepuscular, which means they are active during dawn and dusk and are less active during daylight and nighttime hours.
Therefore, having a rabbit hutch isn’t just key to making sure they are safe, but the top-rated options are big enough so they can exhibit normal behavior patterns – like chewing, grazing, and foraging – no matter whether it’s morning, noon, or night.
13. Rabbits are prolific breeders
If you have a non-neutered male and female rabbit in a hutch together, two won’t stay two for long. Unlike humans, rabbits are only pregnant for around a month and they can often have litters of more than five babies each time.
They can also become pregnant straight after giving birth to a litter so things can get crowded quickly. But, as we said, most bunny parents would have already figured that out!
14. Rabbits binky
That’s if they are happy! Referred to as ‘binkying’ or ‘bunny binkies’, most owners will have spotted their fur friend running and doing a 180-degree turn in the air.
This totally natural behavior is playful and is believed to show that the bunny feels happy and safe. Some say it can also be a ‘practice run’, in case they need to escape from a predator.
15. They move their ears a lot
A rabbit’s ears are a thing of wonder. Not only are they super cute and soft, but they are constantly on the move because, as prey animals, they are able to pick up sounds from far, far away, and from different directions all at the same time.
16. Rabbits are intelligent creatures
Just like dogs, these little furry Einsteins can be clicker trained and they can also understand commands like ‘come’, ‘stay’, and ‘touch.
Just remember that training takes lots of patience and time – but it's worth it. In fact, bunnies see training as a type of game for rabbits and it can help you both bond along with boosting their welfare and health.
17. Rabbits like company
Any bunny parent will know how rabbits thrive when they’re in the company of their own. In the wild, rabbits live in large groups. So it’s no wonder why they are an incredibly social species. Just remember: opposite-sex rabbits will multiply (and quickly). So the best pairing tends to be a neutered female and a neutered male.
18. Rabbits like to make lots of noises
If you share your home with a rabbit, you'll know these furry friends don’t ‘chat’ in the usual way. For example, rabbits can purr, by softly grinding their teeth, they can growl and grunt in an attempt to defend themselves or their territory and they’ll thump to warn other rabbits of potential danger.
When they're annoyed at something they can even hum, which sounds like a bee.
19. Rabbits aren’t rodents
Most people will refer to rabbits as rodents. But we bun parents know this isn’t the case! Instead, rabbits are technically lagomorphs, as the defining feature is the presence of two pairs of incisor teeth in the upper jaw.
20. Not all rabbits like to be held
Rabbits are often depicted as being cute and cuddly creatures – and while they can be, not all bunnies love to be pictured up and cuddled. This stems from their wild roots, where rabbits are only really 'held' when they have been preyed on by a predator.
Therefore, you’ll have to earn your rabbit’s trust and respect and owners will know to only pick up their rabbit if it’s grooming time or when completing a health check.
21. Rabbits live for a long time
Wondering how long rabbits live? As long as you look after your fur friend, rabbits can live happily in your company for anywhere between eight to 12 years.
But things like investing in the best pet insurance and giving them the right care can help too.
22. Rabbits can be destructive
They might be cute and look cuddly, but don’t be fooled! Rabbits are also very fond of chewing and digging. And they will tend to exhibit this behavior if they’re not physically or mentally stimulated.
Therefore, it’s worth taking note of all the things to consider before getting a rabbit, like the best rabbit toys. But you could always engage in some activities for rabbits too to keep their mind and body active.
23. Rabbits are bigger than you think
Often depicted as small, cuddly creatures, most owners will know rabbits don’t always stay that size.
With the many breeds of rabbits available, from the silky angora ball of fur to the wild-looking Belgian hare, rabbits can grow up to 4ft long!
24. Rabbits need lots of exercise
When it comes to keeping your rabbits healthy, any rabbit pet parent understands that the key is to ensure they are well-exercised. Of course, the rabbit runs can help with this. So can setting time aside to complete activities with your rabbit, like exploring, playing, and foraging.
25. They have delicate digestive systems
As we touched on, rabbits can’t just eat anything. So there are some dos and don’ts of feeding rabbits correctly, like not offering up lots of carrots or fruit, avoiding muesli mixes and never feeding your precious pet dairy or meat products.
Instead, bunny parents only feed their pet pal the best rabbit foods that will ensure they get all their vitamins and more.
26. Rabbits are clean pets
Most bunny owners are already clued up on house-training a rabbit. But if you're considering adopting a rabbit you might not know that these clever creatures can be litter box trained.
With a little bit of time, consistency, and patience, it’s entirely possible to teach your rabbit the basics of litter box training. As long as you have the right equipment, like the best rabbit litter boxes and some of the best rabbit litter, it's actually pretty easy to get started.
27. Their hearing is incredible
It's not just their eyes that are second to none. Rabbits also have incredible hearing.
Along with being able to move their ears up to 270 degrees, the International Fund for Animal Welfare, says wild rabbits have a very wide hearing range that spans from 360 Hz to around 42,000 Hz. This means they can hear higher frequencies than humans.
28. Rabbits have something in common with kittens
And by that we mean baby rabbits are also called kittens or kits, like their furry cat counterparts. Plus, rabbits also purr when they are happy (which is hopefully often) and they do so by chattering their teeth together.
29. Rabbits and guinea pigs aren’t the best of friends
Despite what you might have heard, most bunny owners will know guinea pigs and rabbits aren’t always the best of pals. In times gone by, these furry friends used to be sold together, but it’s now thought that they do better when living apart. Not only do they have different diets, they also communicate differently.
30. Rabbits can’t vomit
Bunny owners wouldn’t have seen their fur friend vomit because it’s physically impossible for them to do so. Therefore, it’s of high importance to make sure your rabbit eats the correct diet and doesn’t ingest something they are allergic to.
31. Rabbits jump high
Higher than you might think – and you’ll know this if you’ve got one who likes to explore! According to The Guinness World Records, the highest bunny jump currently stands at 3ft.
But there are some reports that a rabbit has been seen to jump over 4ft high – which is no mean feat considering the average height of an adult rabbit stands at just 6 inches.
32. Rabbits are very, very fast
If you’ve got a rabbit run you’ve probably spotted your pet zooming around it at a very fast pace. That’s because the average domestic rabbit can run up to 25mph.
And when it comes to jumping, they're pretty quick too. Another rabbit has made it into the Guinness Book of Records with Penelope taking just 7.16 seconds to jump over 10 obstacles.
Love learning about rabbits? Here are some more interesting rabbit facts
