How to Care for an Outdoor Rabbit

Caring for an outdoor rabbit is more challenging than caring for an indoor rabbit. Outdoor rabbits are exposed to predators that indoor rabbits don't have to deal with; cats, coyotes and raccoons are some of the predators that may attempt to attack your rabbit. Keeping your rabbit outdoors may result in a lack of attention. Health problems may go unnoticed or get noticed too late. Routine care, socialization and observation are required to maintain the health and happiness of your outdoor rabbit.

Things You'll Need

  • Rabbit cage
  • Hay
  • Rabbit pellets
  • Food bowl and water bottle
  • Vegetables and fruit
  • Rabbit toys
  • Rabbit brush and comb
  • Flea comb
  • Rabbit nail clippers
  • Moist cloth
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Instructions

    • 1

      Provide your rabbit with a wire cage that has a solid bottom or a wire cage that has a partially open-wired bottom. The partial open-wired bottom allows fecal matter to get discarded outside of the cage. Purchase a cage that is at least five times the size of your rabbit. Elevate the cage from the ground so predators can't easily get to it. Place a box inside the cage so your rabbit can hide during scary moments it may experience. Place the cage in a sheltered area of your yard that offers both shade and sunlight.

    • 2

      Provide your rabbit with hay at all times. Rabbits use hay as bedding and they also eat the hay for fiber, which promotes their digestive health.

    • 3

      Feed your outdoor rabbit appropriately. Provide it with a bowl of commercial rabbit pellet food, according to the instruction on the label. Rabbits require different amounts of pellets depending on their age and weight. Hang a water bottle with fresh water on the cage, so your rabbit has a constant supply of liquid. Supplement your rabbit's diet daily with a 1/2 cup of washed, fresh vegetables and fruit, such as bananas, apples, broccoli and carrots.

    • 4

      Clean your rabbit's cage as needed. Check the cage every day for feces and soiling and scoop it out. Feces build up can attract flies and other insects and it can also get stuck to your rabbit's fur.

    • 5

      Provide toys for your rabbit to play with. Purchase some commercial rabbit chew toys or place a cardboard toilet roll in your rabbit's cage as an alternative, less expensive toy.

    • 6

      Bring your rabbit indoors at nighttime because this is when predator attacks are most likely. Predators can try to get through the wiring of the cage to get to your rabbit. Keep your rabbit indoors and put it back outdoors during daytime.

    • 7

      Allow your rabbit to exercise daily. Fence off an area of your yard and observe your rabbit as it explores and hops around. Keep your rabbit from nibbling on plants, because some plants, such as oleanders, are poisonous to rabbits.

    • 8

      Groom your rabbit at least once a week or every other day if you have a long-haired breed. Brush and comb your rabbit's fur to remove any mats and use a flea comb to eliminate any fleas. Use rabbit nail clippers to trim your rabbit's nails. Avoid cutting through the pink vein in the nail, because this is painful to your rabbit. Wipe the inside of your rabbits ears with a moist cloth; avoid penetrating the ear cavity.

    • 9

      Take your rabbit to the veterinarian once a year for a general checkup.