r/Rabbits Sep 25 '21

PSA Important Rabbit PSA index

574 Upvotes

Since the subreddit only has two spots available for public announcements, this will be a new index post for important PSAs for easy reference that we can sticky to only use up one spot.

You can also find the whole collection in the sidebar menu on the Reddit re-design when you open one of the PSA posts.


r/Rabbits May 17 '22

PSA I found a rabbit outside - what should I do?

182 Upvotes

This is the time of year for many people to find both domestic rabbits and wild rabbits outside due to Easter and baby season.

For a comprehensive overview on stray domestic rabbits, please see the wiki article here: https://wabbitwiki.com/wiki/Feral_and_stray_rabbits

For a comprehensive overview on wild rabbits, please see the wiki article here: https://wabbitwiki.com/wiki/Wild_rabbits

Is the rabbit I found wild or domestic?

It can be very difficult for the average person to tell the difference between a wild and domestic rabbit, especially if they are a baby and/or a common agouti brown.

In general, if the rabbit has long hair or does not have brown fur, it is most likely domestic - although there are exceptions. Please note that wild cottontails in North America cannot breed with our domestic rabbits, but wild rabbits in the rest of the world (e.g. Europe, Australia) can.

Please see the wiki article here for more specific tips on distinguishing domestic and wild rabbits, especially in North America: https://wabbitwiki.com/wiki/Wild_rabbits#Is_the_rabbit_I_found_wild_or_domestic?

I found a domestic rabbit! What should I do?

Please do not hesitate to contact your local rabbit rescue for volunteers to help you catch a stray domestic rabbit.

For more tips and resources on how to catch a stray rabbit, please see the wiki: http://bunny.tips/Stray#Catching_a_stray_rabbit

For tips on how to house and care for rabbits indoors in an emergency, please see the wiki: https://wabbitwiki.com/wiki/Feral_and_stray_rabbits#What_do_I_do_when_I_find_a_rabbit.3F

I found a baby wild rabbit! What should I do?

If you find a baby wild rabbit that is not injured, please leave it alone. It is most likely not abandoned unless you know for a fact that their mother was killed. Rabbits return to feed their young only once or twice a day for a few minutes, usually at night. Just because the babies have been by themselves for 5 minutes does not mean that they have been abandoned. The mother is typically gone from the nest to eat and draw attention away from the nest.

A detailed image guide to whether a baby cottontail rabbit is in need of help.

If it is old enough to be exploring outside of its nest and has no injuries, please put the baby rabbit back under a bush near where you found it. It does not need any additional care or feeding.

As Rainbow Wildlife Rescue writes,

There is a 90% mortality rate with orphaned baby rabbits in human care, especially cottontails. This number increases if the rabbits are very young and their eyes still closed. They are extremely hard to "save". There is little substitute for the nutrients their mother's milk provides.

Baby wild rabbits can survive on their own at a surprisingly young age. In most countries, it is illegal to possess and take care of wildlife without proper permits. Wild rabbits also do not do well in captivity due to the possibility of fatal stress because of their high-strung and flighty nature.

If you find a baby wild rabbit because your dog picked it up but you can't find the nest, try putting a leash on your dog and quietly following them to see if they will lead you to the original nest. If you absolutely cannot locate the nest, you may keep the rabbit in a dark and quiet box and contact your closest wildlife rehabilitator that accepts rabbits

If you find a baby wild rabbit because your cat found it, please take it to a rabbit-savvy vet or wildlife rehabber as soon as possible, especially if it was carried in the cat's mouth. Cats have very lethal bacteria in their saliva, and contact can easily be fatal for a baby rabbit in 48 hours.

What do I do if I am positive that the mother was killed or the baby rabbit is injured?

If you are positive that this is an orphaned baby rabbit, it is best to just keep the rabbit quiet and warm until they can be transferred to an experienced wildlife rehabilitator ASAP. Baby rabbits will do fine overnight without food or water as they are usually only fed once a day by their mothers.

Inappropriate care can be fatal to baby rabbits - see this story from Blue Ridge Wildlife Center as an example: https://twitter.com/BRWildlifeCtr/status/1420472056139984896?s=20

Please hand off the baby rabbit to a local wildlife rehabilitator as soon as possible.

How should I keep a baby rabbit until I can get it to a rehabber?

To keep a baby rabbit overnight, please leave it in a quiet dark box with no food or water. You can provide a heat source such as a microwaved sock filled with rice and beans or an electric heat pad on low placed under half the box. Do not handle the rabbit more than necessary to prevent deadly stress.

How can I find a local wildlife rehabilitator?

If you need help locating a local wildlife rehabber: https://bunny.tips/Wild#Wildlife_rehabilitator_listings

How can I protect a wild rabbit nest from bad weather and dogs, cats, and other predators?

Keeping your pets indoors while the babies grow up is generally the best option, but if this is impossible, you can protect the nest a few different ways.

Please see the wiki article here for more specific information: https://wabbitwiki.com/wiki/Wild_rabbits#How_can_I_protect_a_wild_rabbit_nest_from_dogs,_cats,_and_other_predators?


r/Rabbits 4h ago

wrath.

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988 Upvotes

r/Rabbits 8h ago

Kreka’s 7th birthday

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1.4k Upvotes

Happy 7th birthday Kreka!! May you always love drinking water and munching on hay 💖


r/Rabbits 4h ago

We call those micro binks!

355 Upvotes

Don't worry friends, Choco also did some mega binks!


r/Rabbits 6h ago

RIP It’s nice to have you home, Tulip

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394 Upvotes

r/Rabbits 7h ago

feet pics for free

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490 Upvotes

r/Rabbits 11h ago

My boy being so rotund

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775 Upvotes

Every time I catch him with the paws like this, I can't help but wonder - why is he so spherical?


r/Rabbits 6h ago

Health Why is my rabbit crunchy?

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274 Upvotes

Obi Bun here is almost 10 and for the past few weeks I've noticed that his normally plush and luscious coat has started to get crunchy, it's an easy fix with a grooming brush but it's new and I just cannot figure out what is causing it! It's almost exclusively on his back but sometimes on his hips too.

No indication of any mites or illness, he's otherwise happy, healthy and as active as you can expect a 10yr old rex to be. He's a housebun.

1st picture shows the cronchy fur, second is after de-crunching.

My leading theory is that he's licking himself and it's drying crunchy but I just can't see him reaching some of the areas that get crunchy!


r/Rabbits 8h ago

Pippin is 6 months old 🥹

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243 Upvotes

r/Rabbits 3h ago

Breed ID Can anyone tell me what breed my rabbit is?

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101 Upvotes

Husband got her at a flea market and didn’t bother to ask. She’s 4 months old and that’s all I know. Not sure how much she weighs.


r/Rabbits 5h ago

Bonding Getting my bunny a friend was the best thing I could have done

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128 Upvotes

I have owned so many pets throughout my life, mostly birds and I have gotten used to caring for a pet who doesn't exactly love me back and prefers to hang around their "own"

When I got my bunny, Pudding (black and white spotty one) I fell so deeply in love with him and he fell in love with me, it's like he is my animal soulmate, my best friend. I always wanted to get another bunny but since I spent most of my days at home and gave him lots of attention I never went through with it, especially with the overwhelming fear that if I got him a friend, I'd lose mine in the process

Now that I moved into a new place, I'm out frequently and I always felt so bad leaving him by himself for so many hours a day, I'd feel so much guilt, especially when I'd come back home and be would run to me and it was obvious he was lonely and missed me.

I finally gave in and got my other bunny, Mousse. At first I was worried because they are both boys and originally bonding was quite tough but it was the best decision I could have made for myself and my boy. I didn't lose a friend, I just gained another one in the process, not only that but my relationship with both of them has only gotten stronger. Pudding is much happier, so is Mousse, who loves his brother very much. Now when I come home they both run up to me (after I catch them snuggling of course)

It warms my heart so much seeing my babies play with each other, eat with each other, cuddle. It's obvious even though I tried my best to give pudding the attention he deserved, I couldn't fill the type of hole only another bunny friend could.

I love both of my boys dearly, it makes me laugh seeing the silly shenanigans and adventures they get up to day to day. If you are in the same boat I was and are thinking about getting another bunny, I highly highly recommend it :,)


r/Rabbits 8h ago

Care Little sense check!

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150 Upvotes

Hi there, I've had our rabbits through a variety of living situations with my partner. It's been quite a challenge over time, when we've had to move to an apartment for a period and the best we could safely do for them was a large run with daily time roaming in the living room.

Thankfully we've sorted our living arrangements out, now in a house together and our bun babies (finally!) get to simply free roam in our garden. That's been their life since the start of this year now.

They have the whole garden to roam in, fully enclosed and regular checks for tunneling out etc. We give them a diet of lettuce, pak choy and parsley with some seeds every couple days too. We try give them some love every so often, but they've always been quite independent and solitary together - meaning they sometimes love some strokes but mostly run off signalling they don't. Sad but accepted 🥲.

We leave them to roam without shutting them in at night, after we used to do it but they would just run stomp and throw a fit every night. They're happier this way, besides we live in an area in England with no foxes etc.

We've sort of settled into this routine but I don't want to be complacent. What I guess would be appreciated is any advice/things to consider that we haven't. For example for water, they dont drink much but won't drink out of a bowl so we've had to keep the bottle. Pictures show the garden, the house (minus the flowers we removed that grew there in summer) and of course the babies. 2 years old but still forever babies...

Thanks for reading this far and any comments appreciated thank you!!


r/Rabbits 1h ago

Health Furpocalypse

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Upvotes

Dodger is officially molting for the first time since I got him (and probably for the first time ever, since he's only about 8 months old). Every time I pet him fur comes off him in piles. When he hops it follows him like a dust cloud. I have been using a lint roller on my bedsheets daily (his favorite spot to sit). He is eating twice as much hay as usual and drinking twice as much water, too. There isn't a clear molt line anywhere along his body, so I have no way of knowing how far along in the process he is. How long will this last? My air purifiers are fighting for their lives. There is enough fur collecting under my bed that I could probably make myself a fashionable coat. Will it ever end?


r/Rabbits 19h ago

RIP Lost my Sputnik today💔

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1.2k Upvotes

Rest in piece my sweet sweet boy may you cross the rainbow bridge until we meet again, I love you so much Sputnik😭🫶

Thank you everyone for the kind words, it was really nice to wake up to this morning, especially not being able to see my Sputnik, thank you all again for such kind and beautiful words, they mean a lot😭😭


r/Rabbits 8h ago

Care i think i need to rehome my bunnies... :(

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117 Upvotes

(Hertfordshire, UK)

i’m looking for some advice, and honestly, probably some reassurance that it’s okay to consider rehoming my rabbits, mabel and juno :(

i adopted my girls in may 2025, at a time when i was in a really good place mentally and physically, and i genuinely believed i would be able to give them the life they deserved. unfortunately, my health has deteriorated hugely since then, and i now struggle significantly with both chronic illness and my mental health. as much as it hurts me to admit it, i’ve also struggled to form the connection with them that i desperately wanted to have.

they are the most beautiful girls. they have an amazing setup, they are happy, healthy and very well cared for, and i’m incredibly lucky to have my parents who help me with them when i’m struggling. but i keep worrying about whether i can realistically provide everything they need long term, especially if my health continues to decline.

i love my girls to absolute pieces, but i will admit i have struggled to connect with them. i think i have the fear that if i connect to much, something bad will happen and i will spiral mentally – i can't bear loss.

the thought of giving them up breaks my heart, which is exactly why i’m even considering it. i don’t want to keep them simply because i can’t bear the guilt of letting them go if there is a possibility that they could have an even better life with someone who is able to give them more time, attention and care.

i think i’m struggling with the idea that rehoming them could actually be an act of love rather than me failing them. i feel so guilty even considering it, because i love them so much, but i also know that loving them means putting their needs before my own feelings.

i would really appreciate hearing from anyone who has been in a similar situation, especially if you’ve had to make this decision because of your own health. i just want what is best for mabel and juno, even if that means making one of the hardest decisions i’ve ever had to make.

picture of the girls for tax❤️‍🩹


r/Rabbits 7h ago

teo’s nap time 🥹

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92 Upvotes

that’s his favourite spot 😭


r/Rabbits 16h ago

My son Peter

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308 Upvotes

This was the stance when I walked in the room


r/Rabbits 12h ago

Health Losing my boy today Spoiler

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135 Upvotes

For the past 3-3.5 years I’ve been lucky to own an adorable little bunny. It started as just babysitting him for an exes friend for a few weeks, eventually she asked if we’d keep him and I was wary but said yes. I knew almost nothing about caring for a rabbit but I bonded with him almost right away.

He’s very relaxed and loves to be rubbed and his treats. He’d run around me in circles and would always come to me when I opened the door. Luckily he rarely even stomped at me and I never so much as felt his teeth, even when giving him medicine though he was not a fan of it and would duck his little head down lol.

His arthritis had made his mobility drop a lot in the last few months but the last week or so it’s been really bad with occasional improvements temporarily. He still has some of an appetite but can’t get into his littler on his own so I’ve had to clean him up a lot.

I’ve never been in the room with an animal that’s out to sleep and I’ve heard bunnies can scream when scared. I’m bringing him some treats to hopefully help a little bit relax him during.

This sucks so much but I need to do what’s best for my little Stevie. He is 9.5 years old and I’ve been so lucky to have him around, he has helped me in stressful times and just to be happier in general.

Hope you can binky again soon my friend


r/Rabbits 18h ago

Happy Birthday Moira

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378 Upvotes

Happy Birthday my sweet girl. You bring the chaos to the home but you deserve everything!

Moira eats everything, is only cuddly when food is involved. Other times she will accept exactly 5 head pets before running off. She makes sure I am awake at 1am when she begs for breakfast but is forced to wait until actual morning (yes they always have hay)

Please join me in wishing her the happiest of bdays with many more to come💜💜🐰🍓


r/Rabbits 4h ago

Care I'm over people

28 Upvotes

I am completely over people. I work with a local small mammal rescue and keep getting endless emails about dumped rabbits. However us and all the other rescues are beyond full we have no money and no foster space.


r/Rabbits 7h ago

Another escapist

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51 Upvotes

r/Rabbits 6h ago

RIP I have to say goodbye to my Mocha today. How long do I let Oakley say goodbye for?

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38 Upvotes

I have to euthanize Mocha today, she has cancer😔 it’s been such a terrible year. I had to put Puddles to sleep in December. Oakley is really bonded to Mocha, he loves her. How long do I let him say goodbye for? Will he move away from her when he’s ready?❤️


r/Rabbits 2h ago

RIP My sweet baby passed away today

21 Upvotes

I’ve been crying the whole day and I feel so guilty and like this pain is agonizing. I want him to be remembered as the playful, strong, and loving bunny he was. Thank you for being with me these past 8 years, I would give anything to get to spend more time with you.


r/Rabbits 10h ago

Behavior Fred thinks my bed is his litter box

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76 Upvotes

Fred is my adorkable half Holland Lop, half Lion Head bunny. He’s just under 6 months old and due to be neutered next week. He’s had free roam access to my bedroom + bathroom, and he has something of a fan club at a few of our local bars. There’s a group in town that runs a traveling petting zoo and they do a baby goat yoga every year, which is how I got him, and he loves to be the center of attention.

Recently he’s gotten to be far more sociable at home, which I love, but he’s taken it upon himself to jump into my bed and use it as a litter box, both while I’m asleep in it and while I’m gone for work. He keeps waking me up in the middle of the night while doing it and it’s getting to the point of genuine irritation. My running hope is that once he’s neutered that might help change behaviors, but he’s had a history of using things that he likes as a litter box. I bought him a nice giant jute rug that had to be thrown away after ~1.5mo because it was unsalvageable.

Right now I’ve just been moving him to his litter box whenever he starts pooping on the bed. I got him some blankets that he really seems to like but he still keeps jumping into my bed. Halfway through the night I give up and put him in his hutch, which he doesn’t seem to mind, but I don’t particularly love doing. Especially since it doesn’t solve the daytime issues. Any advice would be appreciated.