Essential Rabbit Supplies

Do yourself a solid and prepare beforehand if you plan on adding a bun to your crew, because they do not pack lightly. Set up first, then bring Bun home. I promise, it's so much easier. 

These are some basic supplies to get you going. With time and experience, you'll be able to add to your list of rabbit necessities, but this is a good starting point to keep your bun safe and comfortable. There’s plenty of other supplies you can accumulate over time (e.g. hutches, outside play pens, etc.), but these are a great for anyone looking into getting a bun family member or fostering for your local shelter/rescue. Eventually, you’ll acquire a nice collection.

(Make sure you visit the Rabbit Diet Section to cover the different foods rabbits need to stay healthy). 

cage and/or playpen

Rabbits need a fair amount of space to roam and explore. They’re not a “set it and forget it” pet; they need ample exercise time outside of their cage ("exercise" could constitute running around your living room). However, if you want peace of mind while you’re at work or out and about, a good size cage and/or playpen is the way to go. Recommended size for their living space is 12 square feet (1.1 square meters); for example:  6'x2' (1.8mx0.6m), with the addition of a larger area (32 sq. ft.) for exercise.

For the OG Quiet One, my mom opted for this hutch that is actually meant to be outside (whatever, she lives by her own rules). Because a two-story hutch wasn't enough space, she included a "bump out" for Annie, giving her plenty of space while my mom isn't home, to stretch out and keep herself entertained.

Some of my personal favorites are this hutch, the added bump out plus the red mat that goes underneath, and this cage I recently bought for fosters. There's a ton of stuff out there, though, so shop around and see what works best for your rabbit designated area.

dishes/tiny little bowls

If you go to your local pet supply store, you should be able to find an array of hay baskets, small ceramic bowls, and water bottles. I have an obsession with tiny little bowls (Target keeps me stocked), so my collection is fairly robust, and in my opinion you can never have too many. 

I use the bowls for pellets and water. Some people use water bottles you can hang on the side of the cage and that's perfectly fine. With my personal setup, bowls work better (but also risk spillage). 

litter tray and paper bedding

Rabbits are naturally clean and you can train them to use a litter box just like a cat; think of rabbits as vegan kitties. As for litter bedding, I always recommend Carefresh, which is an unscented paper liner. Pine bedding and wood chips are bad for rabbits' respiratory systems over the long haul and may cause relentless sneezing, so a neutral paper bedding is always recommended. If they chew it up, it won’t hurt them and it does a decent job absorbing odors. 

Pro tip:  You can always compost your bunny business afterwards, too! You know, if composting is your thing.

You can order Carefresh on Amazon (set it up to ship automatically if you prefer) or buy from your local pet supply store. I also recently started using Chewy to buy their supplies and they have a lot of options for small animals. 

toys and fleece blankets

The fun stuff! Rabbits are curious and like “redecorating.” I find if I leave a pile of toys out, they’ll eventually unravel them all or move them from one side of their pen to the other.  BinkyBunny sells these hay braids that are popular with all of the buns I've fostered and most pet supply stores sell wicker balls, hay huts, or tunnels you can keep for Bun and are safe for them to play with. 

If you're on a budget, paper bags are a delightful toy for most rabbits as are toilet paper rolls with hay stuffed inside. For whatever reason, old towels they can burrow in are a favorite as well (just make sure any loose strings are cut and there aren't any holes they can get their head stuck in).