Hello! Let’s care for your hutch rabbit

Rabbits are soft, funny animals that need gentle care. Ask an adult to help you with everything. Here are simple steps you can follow every day.

1. Home (the hutch)

Your rabbit’s hutch should be:

• Big enough to hop, stretch, and stand on its back legs.
• Warm and dry — not in pouring rain or strong wind.
• Safe from other pets (like dogs or foxes) and from falling things.
• Comfortable inside with soft bedding (ask an adult about straw or paper bedding).

2. Food

• Hay is the most important food — your rabbit should have hay all day. It keeps its teeth and tummy healthy.
• Pellets — a small scoop every day (ask an adult how much for your rabbit).
• Fresh veggies like carrot tops, parsley, and lettuce (not too much). Always ask an adult first.
• Never give chocolate, candy, bread, or chips — these are bad for rabbits.

3. Water

Your rabbit needs clean water every day. Use a water bowl or a bottle and ask an adult to change it every morning.

4. Exercise and play

Let your rabbit out of the hutch every day so it can run and hop. A few hours are great. Make sure the area is safe and rabbit-proof (no wires to chew!).

5. Handling your rabbit

• Always be gentle. Rabbits are soft and can get scared.
• To pick up a rabbit, ask an adult to help. Support their bottom and body so they feel safe. Never pick up by the ears.
• If the rabbit struggles, put it down; it might want to hop instead of being held.

6. Grooming (brushing)

Brush your rabbit often, especially if it has long fur. This stops tangles and hairballs. Ask an adult to help with brushing and checking nails.

7. Cleaning the hutch

1. Spot-clean every day: pick up poops and wet bedding.
2. Deep-clean once a week: take everything out, put in fresh bedding, and clean the floor with an adult.

8. Signs your rabbit is happy

• It hops and does little jumps called "binkies".
• It eats its food and drinks water.
• It relaxes and flops down sometimes.

9. Signs your rabbit might be sick (tell an adult right away)

• Not eating or drinking.
• Runny nose, sneezing, watery eyes, or messy bottom.
• Very quiet or hiding more than usual.

10. Fun things to do

• Give safe toys like cardboard boxes and paper towel rolls.
• Make little hideouts with tunnels for your rabbit to explore.
• Spend quiet time sitting near your rabbit so it learns to trust you.

Remember: always ask an adult for help, and take your rabbit to the vet for checkups. If you are kind, gentle, and patient, your hutch rabbit will be a happy friend!

Daily checklist you can use:

• Check water and refill.
• Give hay and a little pellet food.
• Spot-clean the hutch.
• Playtime outside the hutch for exercise.