Many people considering rabbits as pets have misconceptions about their care needs, says Brittany Graves, founder of Oscar's Rabbit Rescue in Marshfield.
"A lot of people get little baby bunnies that are snuggly, and they don't end up being snuggly when they get their hormones," Graves said. "They don't realize how much work they are."
Here are some tips for rabbit care from Graves and other experts; more can be found on Oscar's Rabbit Rescue's website.
The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) warns that keeping rabbits outdoors in hutches "can be harmful for the rabbit" because outdoor cages expose them to weather extremes and predators. Even when predators can't reach the rabbit, the animal could die from stress during an attempted attack.
Graves said many people don't realize domesticated rabbits need indoor housing and can be litter-trained like cats.
"Most hutches have that chicken wire fencing on the bottom so that the poop can fall through," Graves said. "But their feet aren't meant to be standing on chicken wire all day."
Heat poses particular dangers. "Heat is very dangerous, very dangerous," Graves emphasized.
According to the House Rabbit Society, hay should comprise 80% of a rabbit's diet, with the remainder consisting of 10% vegetables, 5% healthy pellets and up to 5% healthy treats.
The organization notes that "the most common rabbit health problems are gastrointestinal issues and dental disease," with improper nutrition often being "the key contributing factor."
Graves said rabbits need to eat roughly their body size in hay daily to keep their digestive systems functioning properly. She frequently educates adopters about GI stasis, a potentially fatal condition where the digestive system slows or stops.
"They need to eat around the size of their body of hay every day; that keeps their gut moving," Graves said.
The AVMA recommends spaying female rabbits and neutering males, noting it not only prevents unwanted litters, but can also help with behavioral problems and health risks.
Graves said spaying and neutering costs between $250 and $650, while routine veterinary visits typically run $100 or more. Female rabbits face particularly high risks of uterine cancer if not spayed.
"Females are very, very, very high risk of uterine cancer if they're not spayed," Graves said. She's encountered two cases where rabbits developed the cancer around ages 3-4.
Many behavioral problems stem from rabbits not being spayed or neutered, Graves said. Unaltered males may spray urine to mark territory, while both sexes can become aggressive. She added that their urine also has a strong odor before the surgery.
The AVMA notes that rabbits "do not often tolerate being held closely and carried, and may respond by struggling or scratching."
Graves estimates monthly care costs range from $50 to $150, depending on the rabbit's size and needs. With proper care, indoor rabbits can live 5 to 15 years.
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