Pet Rabbit Care: Hay, Housing, Lifespan and Keeping Cool in Summer

Gentle, curious and more demanding than many people expect: a pet rabbit needs lots of hay, plenty of space and the company of another rabbit [5][11][12]. Rabbits can't sweat or pant, so in Saudi Arabia a cool, air-conditioned home is essential [8]. Here is the quick guide.

Pet rabbit quick facts

What does a pet rabbit eat?

Hay first, always. Merck advises that about 85–90% of a rabbit's diet should be grass hay, such as timothy, oat or meadow hay [5]. The RSPCA gives a similar split: about 85% hay or grass, 10% leafy greens and 5% pellets [10]. High fibre supports digestion and lowers the risk of gut disease [5].

• Hay: offer a bundle every day that is about as big as your rabbit [10].
• Pellets: a small, measured amount. The RSPCA suggests about 25 g per kg of body weight a day for a healthy adult [10].
• Greens: for example romaine lettuce, watercress, rocket, basil, coriander, mint and dandelion leaves [10].
• Fruit: only as an occasional treat [5].
• Water: fresh and clean at all times, in a heavy bowl refreshed at least daily [10].

Avoid muesli-style mixes. Rabbits pick out the tasty parts, which is linked to obesity and dental disease [10]. Never feed avocado, chocolate, onion, garlic, meat, dairy, rhubarb, raw potato, lawnmower clippings or sweeteners such as xylitol [10]. Change the diet slowly, since sudden changes can upset the gut [10].

Why does my rabbit eat its own droppings?

It's normal. Rabbits make two kinds of droppings: small, dry pellets, and soft droppings called cecotropes, usually early in the morning [5]. They eat the soft ones directly, which gives them important protein and vitamins [5]. This is healthy digestion, not a behaviour problem.

How much space does a rabbit need?

More than a hutch. The RSPCA's minimum for two medium-sized rabbits is a living space of 3 m x 2 m x 1 m, and "the bigger the better" [12]. Your rabbits should be able to stand fully upright, stretch out and turn around freely [12].

• Zones: a sheltered spot to rest and sleep, plus an attached exercise area for running, hopping and digging [11][12].
• Floor: solid and non-slip, never wire or bars, which can hurt their feet [11][12].
• Enrichment: hiding places, platforms and safe things to chew [11][12].
• Cleaning: clean toilet areas daily and the whole space about once a week. Put back a little used bedding so it still smells familiar [12].

Does a rabbit need a companion?

Yes, ideally. Rabbits are a social species, and the RSPCA says they need at least one other friendly, compatible rabbit for their wellbeing [12].

How do I pick up a rabbit safely?

Never lift a rabbit by its ears. Support its body firmly, especially the rump [2]. Its back legs are powerful, and a rabbit that kicks out while held loosely can injure itself or you [2]. Ask a licensed vet to show you the right hold.

How do I keep a rabbit cool in Saudi summer?

This is the most important part of rabbit care in the Kingdom. Rabbits have dense fur and don't sweat or pant [8]. They lose heat mainly through their large ears, so they depend on a cool room to stay safe [8]. The RSPCA suggests keeping their home at 10–20°C, and PDSA at 18–20°C [12][8].

Saudi summers are far hotter than that. So, as a practical step based on these facts:

• Keep your rabbit indoors, in a room that stays air-conditioned through the hot months [8].
• Keep the space out of direct sunlight and away from draughts [12].
• Place fresh, cool water in shaded spots, and check it often [8].
• Never leave a rabbit in a parked car in warm weather [8].
• Keep your rabbit at a healthy weight, and trim long fur in the warm season [8].
• Check on it several times a day when it's hot [8].

Any rabbit can get heatstroke. Pregnant, overweight, elderly, very young, unwell and flat-faced rabbits are at higher risk [8].

Contact a licensed vet immediately if you see hot, red ears, fast or open-mouth breathing, unusual tiredness, wobbling, trembling, bleeding from the mouth or nose, fits or collapse [8].

What health problems do rabbits get?

Rabbits are prey animals and hide illness for as long as they can [1][8]. Small changes matter, so watch your rabbit closely every day.

• Gut slowdown (GI stasis): food moves too slowly through the gut, and gas builds up. It is painful and can become life-threatening [1]. Low-fibre diets, dental disease, stress and boredom are known triggers [1]. Unlimited hay, regular brushing, exercise and a calm home help prevent it [1].
• Overgrown teeth: uneven wear can leave very long or sharp teeth that cut the mouth [3]. Signs include drooling and trouble eating or drinking [3]. A hay-based diet is the main way to keep teeth worn down [3].
• Flystrike: flies lay eggs on dirty or damp fur, and the maggots eat into the skin. It can cause serious damage in a single day [9]. Check your rabbit's rear end at least once a day, more often in summer, and keep the housing clean and dry [9]. Ask your vet about fly prevention [9].
• Uterine cancer: common and often fatal in unspayed female rabbits over 3 years old. Spaying removes this risk [2][7]. Neutering males helps reduce aggression and urine spraying [2][7]. Ask a licensed vet about the right timing.
• Rabbit haemorrhagic disease: Merck describes it as highly contagious and often fatal [6]. Ask your vet which vaccines apply to your rabbit in Saudi Arabia.

See a licensed vet experienced with rabbits right away if your rabbit stops eating, has diarrhoea or no droppings for more than 12 hours, grinds its teeth, sits hunched, seems very tired or has trouble breathing [7]. If you find maggots, don't try to remove them at home; call a vet for an emergency appointment [9].

Did you know? Rabbits have a second, tiny pair of upper front teeth, called "peg teeth", hidden just behind the main pair [4].

What should I check before getting a rabbit?

• Space: can you give a large, permanent living and exercise area, not just a small cage [11][12]?
• Company: plan for a compatible second rabbit [12].
• Cooling: make sure you can keep an indoor, air-conditioned room through the summer [8].
• Neutering: ask whether the rabbit is spayed or neutered, or plan it with your vet [2][7].
• Records: ask for any health record and vaccination card the seller or rescue has, and book your own check with a licensed vet who sees rabbits.
• Plan for costs: plenty of hay, pellets and fresh greens, a large enclosure, cooling in summer, vet check-ups, nail trims, neutering, a second rabbit, and an emergency fund [2][5][8][12].

Can I bring a rabbit into Saudi Arabia?

Confirm first; we can't give steps for this. One unofficial English translation of MEWA's pet-import rules names only dogs and cats. It does not mention rabbits at all [14].

That means we found no confirmed rules for bringing a rabbit into or out of the Kingdom. Please confirm the current requirements directly with MEWA through the Anaam platform, and with your airline, before making any plans [14]. The destination country's rules apply too. This is guidance only, and rules can change.

Rabbit history and fun facts

• Every pet rabbit breed comes from one wild species, the European rabbit [13].
• The Romans spread rabbits around their empire as a game animal, kept in enclosures [13].
• True domestication came later, in the Middle Ages, mainly through breeding in monasteries in the Iberian Peninsula and southern France [13].
• Distinct breeds were already recorded by the 16th century [13].
• Rabbits are most active at dawn and dusk, not all day or all night [4].

Rabbit FAQ

How long do pet rabbits live?

With a proper diet and good living conditions, 10–12 years or longer, according to Merck [7].

Do rabbits need hay all the time?

Yes. Hay should make up about 85–90% of the diet and be available without limit [5][10]. It helps digestion and wears down the ever-growing teeth [3][5].

Can rabbits handle hot weather?

Not well. They can't sweat or pant, so heat is dangerous for them [8]. In Saudi Arabia, keep them indoors in air-conditioned space during the hot months.

Can a rabbit live alone?

It's not ideal. Rabbits are social and need at least one friendly, compatible rabbit [12].

What signs mean my rabbit needs a vet now?

Not eating, no droppings or diarrhoea for more than 12 hours, a hunched posture, teeth grinding, tiredness or breathing trouble [7]. Rabbits hide illness, so quick vet care matters [7].