Bringing a Rabbit Home: How to Make the First Week Go Smoothly
, by Michael van Wassem, 7 min reading time
Bringing a rabbit home is usually an exciting event for you, but for the rabbit itself it's a major change. Rabbits are prey animals: a new environment, unfamiliar smells and unknown people can feel quite frightening at first. With the right preparation and a calm first week, your rabbit will settle in quickly and soon feel at home. In this article, you'll find out exactly what to arrange before your rabbit arrives, what the first few days look like, and which mistakes are best avoided.
Before your rabbit arrives: what you'll need
Make sure the enclosure is completely ready before you collect your rabbit, so it can settle calmly into its own space straight after the journey. According to the LICG (the Dutch national pet information centre), a rabbit's basic housing should allow room for at least three to four hops and enough height to stand fully upright on its hind legs. As a rule of thumb, two medium-sized rabbits need a night hutch of at least 180 x 60 x 60 cm, along with a run of at least 3 m² for daytime exercise. Most ready-made hutches sold in shops are too small for this and are best used as a sleeping area rather than the rabbit's full living space.
Make sure the enclosure includes at least the following:
- A spacious indoor or outdoor enclosure with sufficient height and length
- Plenty of fresh hay, as this is the foundation of a rabbit's diet and should always be within easy reach
- A water bottle or bowl with fresh water
- A hideout where the rabbit can retreat completely
- Bedding, a litter tray and some chew material to gnaw on
💡 Tip: place the enclosure somewhere quiet, away from draughts and direct sunlight, so your rabbit isn't immediately exposed to noise or a lot of activity.
Day 1: the first introduction
After the journey, let your rabbit come out of the carrier or hutch by itself, at its own pace. Don't pick it up straight away or hold it for a cuddle: for a prey animal, being lifted up is instinctively frightening. Instead, sit down at eye level and let your rabbit explore. On the first day, limit yourself to giving food and water and doing a brief check, then leave your rabbit in peace. It's best for children and other pets to meet the rabbit only after a few days, and always under supervision.
Week 1: settling into the home and meeting the household
The first week is all about calm and routine. Feed and care for your rabbit at the same times each day, speak softly, and avoid moving too quickly near the enclosure. Many rabbits are quieter than usual in the first few days or hide more often; this is a normal reaction to the change. As the days go by, you can gradually spend a little longer sitting by the enclosure and carefully offer your hand, so the rabbit gets used to your scent. Don't force anything: let the rabbit take the initiative to come closer in its own time.
⚠️ Please note: a rabbit that is still barely eating, drinking or producing droppings after a week should not simply be left to wait it out. Contact a vet, as rabbits can develop digestive problems relatively quickly due to stress.
Feeding in the first few days
Hay is the foundation of the diet at all times and should be available without limit. If the rabbit was fed a different brand of pellets or fresh food by the previous owner or breeder, gradually switch it over to the food you plan to give, over roughly a week, by mixing the old and new food in a changing ratio. A sudden change can cause digestive problems. Fresh water should be available every day, even if your rabbit seems to drink little in the first few days due to stress.
Why a rabbit shouldn't live alone
Rabbits are naturally social animals that live in groups, and according to the LICG they should not be kept alone but together with at least one companion of their own species. A rabbit kept alone in a hutch becomes bored and can develop behavioural and welfare problems as a result, even if you give it plenty of attention yourself. If you're considering getting a rabbit, think about a companion beforehand: a neutered male and a spayed female usually form the most stable pairing. If you already have one rabbit and want to give it a friend, always let the animals get used to each other through a calm, supervised bonding process rather than putting them together straight away.
Is it going well? Signs to look out for
🐶 A rabbit that is settling in well will gradually come out of its hideout more often, eat and drink eagerly at the usual times, and react with curiosity rather than panic to noises. Thumping with the hind legs, flattening against the floor with ears back, or sitting completely still are all signs of fear or stress. If you still see this behaviour daily after the first week, scale back contact into smaller steps and give your rabbit more time.
Common mistakes when bringing a rabbit home
- Cuddling and holding straight away — give the rabbit time to get used to your presence first.
- Buying an enclosure that's too small — a standard shop-bought hutch is often only suitable as a sleeping area, not as the full living space.
- Keeping a rabbit on its own — rabbits are social animals and need a companion of their own species.
- Switching food too quickly — this can cause diarrhoea or other digestive problems.
- Not providing a hideout — without somewhere to retreat, a rabbit will remain uneasy.
Checklist: essentials for a new rabbit
- ☐ Spacious enclosure with a sleeping area and a run
- ☐ Hay, fresh daily and available without limit
- ☐ Water bottle or bowl with clean water
- ☐ Hideout
- ☐ Bedding and a litter tray
- ☐ Chew material
- ☐ A quiet, draught-free spot for the enclosure
- ☐ A second rabbit as a companion, or firm plans for one
Frequently asked questions
Can I pick up my new rabbit straight away?
It's better not to. Let the rabbit explore on its own in the first few days and build up contact calmly from eye level before you pick it up.
How long does it typically take for a rabbit to settle in?
This varies from rabbit to rabbit: some are relaxed within a few days, while others need several weeks. Stay patient and don't force anything.
Can my rabbit live alone if I don't have much time?
No. A lack of time is not a reason to keep a rabbit alone; the animal needs a companion of its own species regardless of how busy you are.
When should I contact a vet?
If your rabbit persistently won't eat or drink, produces no droppings, seems listless, or shows other unusual behaviour that lasts longer than a day, it's wise not to wait and to consult a vet.
Conclusion
Helping a rabbit settle in at home mainly takes patience, calm and a well-prepared enclosure. Arrange the housing, hay and a hideout before your rabbit arrives, let it settle in at its own pace during the first few days, and keep in mind that a rabbit should never live alone. With this foundation, you'll set up a strong basis for a happy, long-lasting bond with your new housemate.
Sources: Landelijk Informatiecentrum Gezelschapsdieren (LICG.nl) — "De aanschaf van konijnen" and "Konijnen koppelen".
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