Original Article: https://blog.theanimalrescuesite.greatergood.com/apartment-bunny-tips/

Apartment life can be quite restrictive for some people, especially for animal lovers.

There are even apartment buildings that forbid pets inside their premises. Common pets like dogs and cats are specifically targeted by these no-pet policies, typically because of the noises they make. Then there are some apartments that do allow some pets but provide breed restrictions for their unit owners.

But if you’re fortunate enough to live in an apartment that allows pets, then wonderful! There are lots of small animals that provide great joy to any pet owner. Birds, fishes, hamsters, or rabbits are all low-maintenance options.

For this list, we’ll be focusing on how to keep a rabbit in an apartment.

Cage

Since rabbits are small, you can optimize their space by providing tiered or floored cages. Rabbits need lots of space, but they’re not restricted by their floor area.

So get creative with their housing and put some ramps in there to encourage them to explore more. Rabbits hop so keep their cages tall!

Exercise

Rabbits love to roam so they shouldn’t be kept in their cages all the time. Allow them to explore your apartment! Just make sure that the area is secure. Sprinkle various toys on the floor to keep them entertained.

Rabbits are smart so they need mental stimulation as much as physical exercises. Interact with your rabbit when you can for mental stimulation while simultaneously bonding with them.

Behavior Issues

These jumpy cuties are energetic, but they can be quite hyper and destructive if they get bored. As mentioned above, providing a variety of toys can help expend your bunny’s abundant energy.

Another way to avoid destructive behavior is by neutering or spaying your rabbit! The obvious reason would be that doing this would remove any risk of unwanted pregnancy if you have more than one rabbit. Other than making them calmer, spayed or neutered rabbits are considered healthier since they have a lower risk of reproductive cancers.

Grooming

Yes, rabbits groom themselves. But if you live in an apartment, there’s no way for them to naturally file their nails. So with their regular visits to the vet, might as well go to the groomers and ask them to clip their rabbit’s nails.

In addition to regular nail clipping, brush their furs regularly, the frequency depends on the breed, as well. This would prevent them from ingesting excess fur whenever they groom themselves.

Training

Just like any other pet, you can train your rabbits to respond when you call their name. Pet owners swear by the classic reward-based training so maybe start with that? As usual, just call their name then give them a treat once they successfully come to you. Avoid using pet names while you’re training to avoid confusion.

Another essential step for any pet and its owner is potty training. Providing a litter box for your rabbit is a great way to start potty training, using a shallow storage box is also a great alternative if you have no litter box readily available. Limiting their activity area while potty training also helps, but if you choose to let your rabbit free roam then you’d have to scatter multiple boxes until your rabbit learns to use the potty.

Again, consistency and patience are key.

Environment

Rabbits are ferociously cute, but they are also delicate animals. I can say that rabbits are my spirit animal as they like a quiet and calm environment. They’re easily spooked by sudden loud noises and are known to physically react by thumping their back foot if they’re uncomfortable.

Keep your rabbits comfortable by sticking to a schedule, and let them keep a daily routine to let them feel safe. If you are expecting any guests or an event in or around your apartment, move your rabbit to a quieter space in the apartment.

If reading this made you consider getting a rabbit, here are more reasons for you to adopt a rabbit. Again, always do your research before actually getting a pet. Being a pet owner is a serious commitment and animals deserve more than our 100%.

Source: The Animal Rescue Site Blog