Keeping a rabbit looks simple — toss in some carrots, pop them in a cage, done. That exact mindset is the leading reason rabbits get sick and die young in Indonesia. Rabbits are exotic animals with very delicate digestive systems and care needs that new owners often misunderstand.
This guide is for first-time rabbit owners — the right diet, ideal housing, emergency warning signs, and when to call a vet experienced with rabbits. Disclaimer: this is general guidance, not a substitute for a direct consultation with a vet.
What rabbits should actually eat
Most new owners are surprised to learn that carrots are not a rabbit's main food. The Bugs Bunny stereotype is misleading — carrots are too high in sugar, and as a staple they trigger obesity and digestive problems.
A healthy adult rabbit's diet looks like this:
- 80% hay (dried grass) — Timothy, oat, or other grass hay. Available 24/7, unlimited.
- 10–15% fresh leafy greens — high-fibre, moderate-water leaves
- 5% quality rabbit pellets — Timothy-based, not the colourful full-grain mixes
- Treats (fruit, carrot) — max 1–2 teaspoons per day, only as a reward
Why hay is non-negotiable
Rabbit teeth grow continuously throughout their lives. Without hay that takes a long time to chew (which naturally wears teeth down), the back teeth grow abnormally and can cut into gums and cheeks — a condition called malocclusion. Hay fibre also keeps the gut moving, which matters because rabbits cannot vomit.
Safe and unsafe greens
Safe greens for adult rabbits (introduce gradually, don't dump a big pile at once):
- Romaine lettuce (avoid iceberg — too watery)
- Basil, cilantro, mint, parsley (in moderation)
- Bok choy, kale, radish tops (rotate, don't stick to one)
- Broccoli leaves (skip the florets — they can cause gas)
Greens to AVOID:
- Iceberg lettuce — too watery, low nutrition, can trigger diarrhoea
- Potatoes and potato peels — toxic to rabbits
- Peas, beans, legumes — excessive gas
- Onions and onion family — toxic
- Whole seeds and nuts — choking risk and indigestible
Absolute no-go list
- Biscuits, bread, human cereal — refined sugar and flour can trigger fatal GI stasis
- Chocolate — toxic
- Milk and dairy — adult rabbits cannot digest lactose
- Meat — rabbits are 100% herbivore
- "Rabbit yogurt drops" sold at pet shops — high sugar, not a natural food for them
Setting up an ideal rabbit enclosure
The small wire cages sold at most pet shops are actually not ideal. Rabbits are active animals that need room to move, hop, and stretch out fully.
Minimum size
- For a 1.5–2 kg rabbit: at least 120 x 60 cm, tall enough to stand fully upright on the back legs
- For larger rabbits (>3 kg): at least 150 x 80 cm
- Plus 3–4 hours of exercise per day outside the enclosure in a safe room
Safe flooring
Rough wire flooring can injure rabbit paws and cause chronic sores (sore hocks). Choose:
- Solid flooring with thick hay bedding
- Lick-safe carpet (not fuzzy carpet that could be ingested)
- Fleece mats or rabbit-specific liners
Where to put the enclosure
- Indoor is better than outdoor in Indonesia (temperature, predators, high humidity)
- Avoid direct sunlight — rabbits cannot sweat and are prone to heat stroke above 28°C
- Ideal temperature 18–24°C with good ventilation
- Away from loud noises and high-traffic areas with strangers
GI stasis: the emergency you must recognise
If you only remember one thing from this article, remember this: GI stasis. It is the number one killer of pet rabbits and an absolute emergency.
GI stasis happens when gut motility slows down or stops entirely. Triggers include stress, dehydration, wrong diet, or other medical conditions. Without prompt intervention, a rabbit can die within 24–48 hours.
GI stasis warning signs
- Not eating at all for 12 hours — red alert, do not wait 24 hours like you might with a cat
- No poop or suddenly very small poop — healthy rabbit poop should be uniform round pellets, lots of them
- Lethargy, hiding, hunched posture with the belly pressed to the floor
- Tooth grinding from pain (different from the gentle purr-grind when content)
- Bloated or hard abdomen when gently palpated
If you spot two or more of these signs, do not wait until tomorrow. GI stasis needs vet attention in hours, not days.
Other things first-time owners miss
- Spay/neuter is strongly recommended, especially for females — uterine cancer risk in unspayed female rabbits reaches 60–80% by age 5.
- RHDV (Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease) vaccine is becoming relevant in Indonesia due to imported cases. Ask an exotic vet in your area.
- Regular grooming — rabbits shed heavily twice a year. If ingested fur during self-grooming isn't pushed through by hay, it can trigger GI stasis.
- Bunny-proof your home if exercise area is free-roam — cover electrical cords, remove toxic plants, move chewable items out of reach.
When does a rabbit need an exotic vet?
Not every vet is comfortable treating rabbits. Many drugs safe for dogs and cats are actually toxic to rabbits (certain antibiotics, for example, kill off the good gut flora). Look for a vet with experience in exotics or specifically rabbits.
Conditions that need an exotic vet visit right away:
- GI stasis signs (not eating, no poop)
- Watery or bloody/mucus-filled diarrhoea
- Persistent runny nose and sneezing (could be snuffles — Pasteurella)
- Watery, swollen, or thick-discharge eyes
- Visibly overgrown back teeth (drooling, trouble eating)
- Out-of-character litter box accidents
- New lumps on the body, especially around the chin or neck
For routine care (annual checkups, nail and tooth trimming, diet consults), house call visits are an excellent option for rabbits. They are among the most stress-prone animals at a clinic — the car ride, smell of dogs and cats, and handling by unfamiliar staff can all trigger the exact condition you're trying to avoid.
FAQ
Can a rabbit live alone without a companion?
Yes, but rabbits are social animals. Ideally they live in pairs (both spayed/neutered to avoid pregnancy and aggression). For a solo rabbit, the owner needs to provide at least 1–2 hours of daily interaction, plenty of toys, and ample exercise space. Severely under-stimulated solo rabbits often become depressed and develop behavioural problems.
What is the average lifespan of a pet rabbit?
With proper care (correct diet, ideal housing, regular vet visits, spay/neuter), pet rabbits can live 8–12 years. Sadly many rabbits in Indonesia die at 1–3 years due to wrong diet and lack of access to exotic vets. Investing in education and proper setup early can give your rabbit a long, healthy life.
Does Prabasavet do house calls for rabbits?
Yes. Rabbits are actually one of the species that benefit most from house call vet visits because they are so sensitive to travel stress. When you WhatsApp us, mention your rabbit's condition and your area — our team will schedule a partner vet with exotic animal experience.
Wrapping up
Keeping rabbits is genuinely fun — they're smart, full of personality, and can be litter-trained like cats. But their care needs are fundamentally different from dogs and cats, and many rabbit health problems can turn fatal if owners aren't prepared. If you're just starting out, learn the basics properly, line up access to a vet experienced with exotics, and don't hesitate to ask questions before a situation gets serious.
Need a consultation or want to book a house call vet? Reach us on WhatsApp — tell us your rabbit's situation and your area, and we'll match you with a partner vet experienced in exotic animals.
