So you're thinking about bringing a bunny home? Let me tell you straight - I made every mistake in the book when I got my first rabbit, Thumper. That poor guy put up with my learning curve. After ten years and three bunnies later, I've learned what actually works versus what pet stores tell you. This isn't some fluffy guide. We'll cover the real costs, the time commitment, and those little things nobody mentions until you're scrubbing pee off your carpet at midnight.

Getting Your Home Ready: More Than Just a Cage

Pet stores will sell you those cute little cages. Big mistake. When I got Thumper, I learned fast that rabbits need room to sprint. The bare minimum is 12 sq ft, but honestly? Go bigger.

The Essential Setup Breakdown

Bunny-proofing is non-negotiable. One afternoon I came home to find my HDMI cables shredded like confetti. Now I use these cable protectors ($15 for 25ft on Amazon) and it's saved me hundreds.

Feeding Your Rabbit Right: Beyond Carrots

Remember Bugs Bunny munching carrots? That's cartoon nonsense. Real bunny care means understanding their delicate digestive systems. I learned this the hard way when Thumper got GI stasis from too many treats.

The Daily Food Pyramid

• 85% Timothy Hay ($20 for 9lb bale) - Should be available 24/7 for digestion and teeth
• 10% Fresh Greens - Romaine, cilantro, spring greens (no iceberg lettuce!)
• 5% Pellets - Timothy-based, no colorful bits or seeds ($15 for 5lb bag)
• Treats - Small apple slices or banana chips (once a week max!)

My weekly veggie run costs about $8. Stick to these safe options:

Water matters more than you think. Change it twice daily and use ceramic bowls. Plastic grows bacteria fast - trust me, I learned when Thumper got mouth sores.

Daily Bunny Care Routines That Actually Work

Here's my actual schedule with Snowball (my current mini lop):

6:30 AM: Refresh hay, swap water bowl, scoop litter box
6:45 AM: Hand-feed morning greens (bonding time!)
5:00 PM: 2 hours supervised free-roam time
9:00 PM: Evening pellet ration, litter check

Grooming isn't optional. Long-haired bunnies like Angoras need daily brushing. Even short-haired buns shed like crazy. I spend 10 minutes every other day with a slicker brush ($12). Nail trims every 6 weeks - if you're nervous, most vets do it for $15.

The Bathing Myth

Don't. Just don't. Rabbits self-clean like cats. Water baths strip protective oils and cause hypothermia. Spot clean with damp cloth if needed. When Snowball stepped in her poop, I used cornstarch to powder it out.

Health Red Flags You Can't Ignore

Rabbits hide illness until it's critical. Here's what sends me straight to the vet:

• No poop for 12 hours (GI stasis kills fast)
• Head tilted sideways (ear infection emergency)
• Wet chin (dental issues - $300+ dental bills hurt)
• Lethargy lasting more than a few hours

Vet costs add up quick. My emergency fund took a $500 hit when Thumper had stasis. Now I keep $1,000 just for bunny medical. Yearly checkups run $80-$150. Spay/neuter: $300-$500 but prevents cancer and spraying.

Behavior Secrets: What Your Rabbit's Really Saying

That cute nose wiggle? It's actually them sniffing 120 times per minute. Real bunny body language:

Bonding takes patience. For the first week, I just sat quietly near Snowball's pen reading aloud. Took three weeks before she approached me. Now she nudges my elbow for pets while I work.

Must-Know FAQs About Bunny Care

How long do indoor rabbits live?

With proper care? 8-12 years. My vet has a patient who made it to 14! Outdoor hutches cut lifespan in half due to weather and predators.

Can rabbits be left alone for a weekend?

Nope. They need fresh food/water twice daily and poop monitoring. Boarding costs $25-$40/night. I have a pet sitter checklist.

Do rabbits smell bad?

Clean ones don't. Their poop is odorless pellets. Urine smells if litter isn't changed daily. Unfixed rabbits spray - another reason to spay/neuter!

Best way to litter train?

Put hay racks OVER the box. They poop while eating. Use 50/50 white vinegar/water for accidents. Took Snowball 10 days to master it.

Why does my rabbit hate being held?

Prey animal instinct. Never force it. Build trust through floor-level interaction. After six months, Snowball now jumps on my lap voluntarily.

Budget Reality Check: The True Cost of Bunny Care

Pet stores say rabbits are cheap. Lies. Here's my actual monthly costs for Snowball:

• Hay: $25
• Greens: $20
• Pellets: $8
• Litter: $12
• Chew toys: $10
• Vet fund: $40
• TOTAL: $115/month

First-year setup costs ran about $600. Emergency funds? Absolutely necessary. That GI stasis episode cost $780 overnight.

My Biggest Bunny Care Mistakes (So You Don't Make Them)

Looking back, I wish someone had told me:

"Buy the biggest pen immediately. Not later."
"Find an exotic vet BEFORE you need one."
"Bunny-proof like they're furry piranhas."
"Spend the money on proper flooring - pee ruins hardwood."

That last one cost me a $400 floor repair. Now I use interlocking foam mats ($35 for 6 tiles) in her play area.

Final Thoughts on Caring for Your Bunny

Learning how to care for a bunny properly changed everything. They're not low-maintenance pets, but the rewards? Watching Snowball do binkies (those crazy happy jumps) when I come home beats any cat video. If you commit to their needs, you'll have a quirky, loving companion for years. Just budget properly, bunny-proof relentlessly, and find that good vet. Worth every penny and chewed cable.