3100 Cherry Hill Road ● Ann Arbor, MI 48105
734-662-5585 ● www.hshv.org
Rabbits
Basic Care & Feeding
Basic Handling
Always support a rabbit’s hind end- they have very powerful back muscles and if they kick their
legs too hard they could actually break their own back. It’s best to handle rabbits while
wrapped in a towel.
Reading Rabbits: Quick Tips
Behavior
Possible Meaning
Sitting in a corner and panting
Stress
Panting
Overheated
Inactive
Depressed, may be sign of health problem
Ears laid back suddenly
May soon box or nip
Pressing belly to floor
Gas pain
Pressing head into your hand
Wants head to be “groomed”
Stomping feet
Anger, fear, “danger” signal for other bunnies
Tooth grinding (gentle)
Happiness
Tooth grinding (vigorous)
Pain
Zig zags, jumps, “dancing”
Bunny flops
Happiness
Eating
At ease
Sources: Mary Cotter of the House Rabbit Society, Misha Goodman of the Iowa City Animal Care
and Adoption Center, Adam Goldfarb of The HSUS
Rough or abusive handling of animals is cause for immediate termination, as is not using
appropriate safety precautions. If you are uncomfortable handling rabbits, ask for
assistance.
Take your time when handling rabbits. For a very frightened rabbit who must be moved, staff
should carry the rabbit wrapped in a towel (bunny burrito) or—if she feels safest hiding in her
litter box—in the box with a towel on top.
Rabbits have very fragile spines. The force of their legs moving has been known to cause
back fractures.
Transfer rabbits to different parts of the building using a pet carrier.
To pick up and carry a rabbit safely and securely, place one hand behind the forelegs, and the
other under the rump. Holding a rabbit close to your body will make him feel more comfortable
and secure. It may be helpful to kind of bury their head in the crook of your arm, too. They may
be less scared.
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Rabbits are easily frightened and stressed when being moved. Hold rabbits securely enough
so they could not fall if they jump, but loosely enough so they do not break their back by having
their rear legs restrained.
Because rabbits have very poor close vision, avoid approaching a rabbit directly from the front
when possible; this will help prevent aggressive action. Instead, bring your hand toward her
from the side, holding it slightly above her head but still in her view. Also let the bunny sniff
your hand, just like a dog or cat. Rabbits are very scared when you enter their cage. They
think you are going to hurt them. If she lays her ears back, she may be ready to box with her
paws or nip. Bring your hand down to gently apply pressure on her head; that will give you the
chance to remove food and water bowls with your other hand. In this way, you’ll be much less
threatening.
Special ConsiderationsRabbits do not show many outward signs of illness, and when they do it can be very subtle.
Therefore, it is extremely important to monitor rabbits closely. Seemingly minor changes in
behavior, activity level, appetite and/or posture can be serious symptoms of illness. Report any
and all of these during morning monitoring and/or medical concern board notes.
A rabbit’s teeth grow continuously throughout its life. They are kept at an appropriate length by
means of normal chewing. Providing rabbits with a variety of “chew toys”/enrichment
(corrugated cardboard, cardboard boxes or rolls stuffed with hay, untreated willow and wicker
baskets, books – not glossy magazines, untreated wood) will help prevent overgrown teeth.
Sometimes rabbits have malocclusion (the front incisors do not align correctly), and they will
require teeth trimming on a regular basis.
Rabbits use the blood vessels in their ears to regulate their body temperature. Hot or cold ears
can be a sign of fever or a drop in body temperature.
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Feeding & Diet

Timothy hay, fresh veggies
(romaine lettuce, carrots, carrot
tops, parsley, cilantro, etc),
occasional fruit (apple, banana,
etc) as a treat.

Ideally pellets should be kept to
a minimum, 1-2 Tbsp/rabbit/day
Special Requirements

Always monitor rabbit’s appetite
and stool production. If it isn’t
eating much, or isn’t defecating
a normal amount, contact a vet
immediately.
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Shelter Cleaning Protocol
Standard Clean – Daily, morning cleaning is only required for occupied cages.
Supplies & Preparations:
 Brillo scrubbies - disposable
 Clean litter box scoopers
 Rags and towels (at least 1 per cage)
 1 large trash bin or bucket, lined
 Bedding & towels
 Dirty laundry bin
 Rabbit Litter
 Broom and dustpan
 Timothy Hay
 Mop bucket designated for area, mop
 Accel spray bottle 2oz dilution
handle & mop head (skip on “holiday”
 Small food/water dishes
clean)
 Watering can
Sequence, Inventory & Monitoring:

Clean sick cages last. Also, observe whether animals are eating regularly, their urine and
bowel movement conditions, symptoms of illness or injury and any unusual behaviors. Follow
Daily Kennel Inventory & Monitoring Protocol and Additional Evaluate Protocols for reporting.
Preparations:
1. If appropriate mop bucket not already available, fill mop bucket with water and Accel - - filling
from mop sink dispenser using setting 2/B.
2. Gather extra dishes, towels and blankets, make sure enough rags are at hand
3. Fill watering can with fresh, cold water
4. Keep voices soft and limit loud noises (banging dishes, litter pans, etc.)
Cleaning Steps:
1. Rabbits (only available rabbits with pink or blue cards) may be let out of cage to run around
Small Mammal room while you clean its cage. Be sure door is CLOSED. Leave other animal(s)
in cages.
A. Make appropriate entries on the “Rabbit Exercise Log” located in the Small Mammal
Observation Book in the room.
B. Sweep and mop floor between animals.
2. If any waste in litter box, scoop with a clean litter scooper or dump and replace with new litter.
3. If lightly soiled with litter or food, take out towels/bedding and shake over the trash. Replace in
the cage.
4. Heavily soiled with organic material (diarrhea, nasal discharge, food, vomit, etc…):
A. Heavily soiled towels/bedding should be replaced. Shake debris into trash before placing
in laundry bin.
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B. If any diarrhea in litter box, dump litter box, place clean box and litter in cage.
C. Spot clean with Accel and clean rag and scrubbie if needed.
D. Place used rag in dirty laundry pile: it is important in disease prevention to use only one
rag per cage!
E. Throw away scrubbie, if used
5. Empty water dish into floor drain or sink. Change food and water bowls if contaminated with
feces, heavy hair or dirty. Water bottles need to be scrubbed or changed daily.
6. Refill water (bowl & bottle). Place water bowls underneath the water bottles.
7. Fill empty litter pans with rabbit litter, no more than 1 inch deep; top with handful of Timothy hay
8. Ensure 1-2 enrichment items are provided to each cage … corrugated cardboard, cardboard
boxes or rolls stuffed with hay, untreated willow and wicker baskets, books – not glossy
magazines, untreated wood, etc.
9. Wash hands thoroughly or used gloves and change gloves between each cage.
10. Repeat procedure until all cages are cleaned
Completion Steps:
1. Put all dishes in kitchen for washing, all washable litter pans in Wildlife room for cleaning, and
all towels, used rags, and bedding in laundry room for washing.
2. Double check that all cages are cleaned, and ensure each animal has enough water and toys in
cage.
3. Empty trash and put in outside trash bin or dumpster.
Room Floor: (skip on “holiday” clean, unless really dirty)
1. Gently sweep floor clean of debris.
2. Mop and scrub floor with Accel mop bucket.
3. Put ‘wet floor’ signs out.
4. Allow to air dry.
5. Place dirty mop-heads in laundry room for washing.
Throughout the Day – When a cage needs to be cleaned, you can scoop the litter or dump and
replace as necessary. Remove and replace extremely soiled towels. Fill water as necessary.
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Vacated/Empty Cage
Supplies & Preparations:
 Rags and towels
 Brillo scrubbies - disposable
 Accel spray bottle
 1 large trash bin or bucket, lined
 Dirty laundry bin
Cleaning Steps:
1. Keep voices soft and limit loud noises (banging dishes, litter pans, etc.)
2. Remove all items and place for cleaning; bedding & soft toys to laundry, bowls & hard toys to
kitchen, and litter pan Wildlife room.
A. Shake laundry items over trash before placing in laundry bin.
3. Remove all debris from cage.
Stand-alone Wire Cages
4. Take to Wildlife room for cleaning and sanitizing.
Metal Cages
5. Spray Accel all over cage, including shelves, door and clipboard.
6. Throw away scrubbie, if used
7. Wipe/smear Accel with a clean rag to ensure all surfaces are covered and cleaned.
8. Allow to sit a minimum of 5 minutes wet and then air dry.
9. Leave cage empty.
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