If rabbits live in small hutches with nothing to do and no space to move, they get bored. Boredom can cause some serious health problems: Bored rabbits will fill their time by eating. If they eat too much and don't move around they'll put on weight.
Signs that your rabbit might be bored
Rabbits might start chewing things that they shouldn't, destroying their pen, or trying to dig out. They might also start to over-groom themselves to give them something to do.
Rabbits like to play and need plenty of exercise to stay healthy and happy. Ideally you want to provide them with up to 4 hours daily of supervised time out of their cage. Rabbits are subject to depression and poor health if they're not provided with daily interaction and mental stimulation.
Many people wrongly think rabbits are rodents and they believe they will be happy to be left alone in small cages for long periods (sometimes even forever). Rabbits need space to live a happy healthy life! Stuck in a small cage, rabbits become bored and depressed, because they cannot do anything.
To keep your rabbit happy and healthy, let it out of its cage at least once a day, giving it time to roam. Though at least one hour is necessary, aim closer to three or four. As a rule, never keep your rabbit cooped up for 24 hours at a time.
If you can avoid it, try not to hold your rabbits for too long. They prefer to be able to run free and play on the ground and can find being held quite stressful. To put your rabbit back down, keep them as close to your body as possible and lower them to the ground as you squat down.
Because rabbits are social animals, they require daily interaction and attention. They aren't happy languishing in a cage day after day. For several hours daily, they need time outside the cage, to socialize, exercise and explore. To be comfortable with their people, they need frequent, gentle interaction.
Indoor rabbits will probably live longer. They are safer from poor weather conditions, threatening animals, and are generally happier rabbits.
Toys are important to your rabbits' health and happiness, as they encourage your pets to perform natural behaviours such as digging, jumping, chewing and chin rubbing.
They love to gnaw on, toss, push and rearrange their “toys” — and they are curious and excited about new playthings.
For indoor pet rabbits, bedding is not necessary to include in your rabbit's habitat as long as your rabbit has access to soft flooring. Outdoor rabbits will require bedding for insulation to help them stay warm in the night and during the cold months of the year.
Lack of energy and curiosity (lethargy)
While most rabbits are energetic and curious about their environment, a rabbit who gets depressed is likely to sit around all day. They won't be interested in toys, socializing, or even in treats. Instead they'll spend their day sitting in the same place, doing nothing.
Sleeping through the night
Most rabbits will go to sleep between 10-12 pm. They'll sleep until it's time to wake up in the morning and start a new day. Like afternoon nap time, many rabbits will periodically get up to stretch and eat in the middle of the night.
Little and often is the key, a couple of goes of whichever stage you are at a few times per day is plenty. Don't make all your interaction about learning to be picked up; grooming your rabbit, playing with toys and just hanging out in the same space will all help your bond and build trust.
In the wild, rabbits live in big groups and they enjoy being with friends who will play with them, groom them, understand them and look out for them. So if these sociable animals are kept on their own, they may become bored, depressed, and very lonely.
At a minimum, you should spend at least an hour with your rabbit every day. However, 3-5 hours (or even more) are ideal. You do not have to be giving your rabbit undivided attention during this time, but instead, make yourself available to interact with them if they want to.
Nudging, head butting or rubbing against you is rabbit body language for loving attention. 'Give them a stroke or cuddle, or what you know they enjoy', says Rosie. 'Rubbing their faces against you is a way of sharing their scent profile, and showing that you really are friends.
They are very social. Rabbits enjoy being around people and can usually recognise their owners by sight and sound.
Bunnies show affection by grooming, so if your rabbits gently nuzzle, lick, and perhaps even try to nibble you gently, they are showing you that they love and care for you. This is also a sign of submission. Sometimes your bunny will lick and nibble your clothing or a piece of nearby fabric instead of you.
They also love getting a good back scratch around the shoulders. That said, they tend not to like being touched on the ears, neck, feet, stomach or tail.
Hind leg weakness or paralysis is a common disorder that is seen in rabbits and can have many different causes. It is a particularly harsh disease for rabbits as it affects their ability to pass cecotropes through their system, which can severely inhibit their capacity to get enough nutrition if it is left unaddressed.