Welfare of rabbits: an introduction

This introduction to the welfare of rabbits provides advice on owning a rabbit. Rabbits have five main welfare needs.

Rabbit's needs

You must take all reasonable steps to make sure that your rabbit has:

a suitable environment to live in
a healthy diet
the ability to behave normally
suitable company
protection from pain, suffering, injury and disease

Owning and caring for a rabbit is great fun and very rewarding, but it is also a big responsibility and a long-term caring and financial commitment as they normally live for seven to 12 years.

You control your pet’s lifestyle so it is your responsibility to make sure that its needs are met, whatever the circumstances.

Diet, normal behaviour, disease

For more detailed information about a suitable diet for rabbits, normal behaviour patterns and protecting rabbits from pain, injury and disease go to:

Rabbits

What to do next

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Employment and Support Allowance

Call 0800 587 1377

Jobseeker’s Allowance

Contact your local Jobs & Benefits office

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Call 0800 587 0932

If your query is about another benefit, select ‘Other’ from the drop-down menu above.

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contact the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA), Swansea
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contact the Driver & Vehicle Agency (DVA), Northern Ireland

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Welfare of rabbits: an introduction

Rabbit's needs

Diet, normal behaviour, disease

More useful links

Help improve this page - send your feedback

What to do next

Carer's Allowance

Discretionary support / Short-term benefit advance

Disability Living Allowance

Employment and Support Allowance

Jobseeker’s Allowance

Personal Independence Payment

Translation help

Select a language

Welfare of rabbits: an introduction

Rabbit's needs

Diet, normal behaviour, disease

More useful links

Help improve this page - send your feedback

Messages

What to do next

Carer's Allowance

Discretionary support / Short-term benefit advance

Disability Living Allowance

Employment and Support Allowance

Jobseeker’s Allowance

Personal Independence Payment