What to Buy Before Getting a Rabbit (Full Checklist)
Updated: Aug 11
Bringing home rabbits is exciting, but having everything prepared before they arrive will help them settle into their new home with as little stress as possible. Many new owners make the mistake of buying a small starter kit from a pet shop, only to realise later that it doesn't meet their rabbits' needs.
Instead of purchasing everything marketed towards rabbits, focus on creating a spacious, safe and enriching environment that encourages natural behaviours such as hopping, digging, chewing and foraging.
This checklist covers everything you'll need before bringing your rabbits home, from the
essentials to a few optional extras that can make their environment even more enriching.
Top Tip: Rabbits are highly social animals and, in most cases, should be kept in compatible bonded pairs rather than alone. Make sure you have enough space and resources for two rabbits before bringing them home.
Contents
Essential Rabbit Supplies
Housing and Living Space
Feeding Essentials
Litter Tray Setup
Enrichment and Toys
Grooming Supplies
Health and Safety Items
Optional Extras
Frequently Asked Questions
Essential Rabbit Supplies
Before your rabbits arrive, you'll need:
Spacious enclosure or rabbit-proofed room
Secure exercise run (if housed outdoors)
Hideouts
Unlimited high-quality hay
Rabbit pellets
Fresh leafy greens
Heavy ceramic food bowls
Heavy ceramic water bowls
Litter trays
Rabbit-safe litter
Hay racks or baskets (optional)
Chew toys
Tunnels
Cardboard boxes
Grooming brush
Nail clippers
Pet carrier
Cleaning supplies
Preparing everything in advance allows your rabbits to settle in immediately.
Housing and Living Space
Your rabbits' accommodation is the most important purchase you'll make.
A suitable setup should provide enough room for your rabbits to:
Stand fully upright
Stretch out completely
Hop several times in a row
Run at speed
Perform binkies and zoomies
Rest comfortably together
A small hutch alone is not enough.
Many owners choose:
Indoor rabbit-proofed rooms
Large exercise pens
Shed conversions
Spacious outdoor setups with attached runs
The larger the space, the better your rabbits can express their natural behaviours.
Hideouts
Rabbits need safe places where they can retreat and relax.
Provide multiple hiding places, such as:
Wooden hide houses
Cardboard boxes with entrances
Tunnels
Fabric hideaways (if your rabbits don't chew them excessively)
Each rabbit should be able to hide comfortably without competition.
Feeding Essentials
Unlimited Hay
Hay should make up around 85–90% of your rabbits' diet.
Choose good-quality feeding hay and ensure it is available at all times.
Hay supports:
Healthy digestion
Dental health
Natural foraging behaviour
Rabbit Pellets
Feed a measured amount of high-quality pellets each day.
Pellets should complement—not replace—hay.
Fresh Greens
Stock up on rabbit-safe leafy greens, such as:
Romaine lettuce
Spring greens
Coriander
Parsley
Basil
Mint
Introduce any new foods gradually to avoid upsetting your rabbits' digestive systems.
Food and Water Bowls
Heavy ceramic bowls are often the best choice because they are difficult to tip over and easy to clean.
Fresh water should always be available.
Litter Tray Setup
Most rabbits can be successfully litter trained.
You'll need:
Large litter trays
Rabbit-safe litter
Plenty of fresh hay placed inside or beside the tray
Avoid:
Clumping cat litter
Clay litter
Scented litter
These products can be harmful if ingested or inhaled.
Enrichment and Toys
Rabbits are intelligent animals that need daily mental stimulation.
Good enrichment includes:
Cardboard boxes
Tunnels
Willow balls
Apple wood sticks
Digging boxes
Foraging toys
Untreated seagrass mats
Paper bags filled with hay
Puzzle feeders
Rotating toys every few weeks helps keep your rabbits interested without overwhelming them.
Grooming Supplies
Your grooming kit should include:
Soft rabbit brush
Fine comb (for long-haired breeds)
Nail clippers
Towels for handling when necessary
Regular grooming is especially important during moulting seasons to reduce loose fur.
Health and Safety Items
It's worth preparing before an emergency happens.
Have ready:
A sturdy pet carrier
Contact details for a rabbit-savvy vet
Digital kitchen scales for monitoring weight
A basic pet first aid kit (for minor issues while seeking veterinary advice)
Daily observation is one of the best ways to detect illness early.
Cleaning Supplies
To keep your rabbits' environment hygienic, you'll need:
Pet-safe disinfectant
Litter scoop
Bin bags
Spare litter
Spare hay
Cleaning cloths
Clean litter trays regularly while maintaining a familiar environment for your rabbits.
Optional Extras
These aren't essential but can make your rabbits' environment even more enjoyable:
Elevated platforms
Digging substrates
Larger tunnels
Outdoor grazing pens (with supervision and predator protection)
Treat balls
Foraging mats
Pet camera for monitoring behaviour
Remember that enrichment should never replace the essentials of space, companionship and a proper diet.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I buy a rabbit starter kit?
Many starter kits include hutches or accessories that are too small or unsuitable. It's usually better to buy individual items that meet modern rabbit welfare recommendations.
What is the most important thing to buy?
A spacious living area is the most important investment. Rabbits need room to exercise, explore and express natural behaviours every day.
Do rabbits need toys?
Yes. Toys and enrichment help prevent boredom and encourage natural behaviours like chewing, digging and foraging.
Should rabbits drink from a bottle or a bowl?
Many rabbits prefer drinking from a heavy ceramic bowl because it allows a more natural drinking posture. If you use a bottle, check it daily to ensure it is working properly.
Should everything be ready before bringing my rabbits home?
Absolutely. Having their home fully prepared allows your rabbits to settle in immediately without unnecessary stress.
Final Thoughts
Preparing properly before bringing rabbits home is one of the best ways to ensure they settle in quickly and feel safe in their new environment. By focusing on space, companionship, nutrition and enrichment, you'll create a home that supports both their physical health and emotional wellbeing.
Avoid the temptation to buy everything labelled for rabbits. Instead, choose products that genuinely improve welfare and allow your rabbits to express their natural behaviours.
At Bellamy Pet Wellness, we believe that good preparation is the foundation of responsible rabbit ownership. A carefully planned setup gives your rabbits the best possible start and helps build a happy, healthy life together.
Visit our Amazon Storefront for a wide selection of rabbit products and great value essentials for your pets!
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Disclaimer
All content provided on this website, including blog posts, guides, social media content, and recommendations, is created for informational and educational purposes only and should not be considered veterinary, medical, or professional pet care advice. Always consult a qualified veterinarian or animal care professional before making decisions regarding your pet’s health, diet, or wellbeing. See Full T&C's here.
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