What should I tell someone looking after my rabbit?

Share how much hay, greens and pellets to give, fresh water arrangements, cleaning routine, how your rabbits are housed, how they like to be handled, any medication, your vet's details and an emergency contact. Explain what normal eating and droppings look like.

What are warning signs a rabbit sitter should watch for?

A rabbit that stops eating, produces fewer or no droppings, sits hunched or seems quiet needs a vet promptly. In warm weather, sitters should also check the rabbit's bottom is clean and dry, because flystrike can develop quickly.

Can I leave my rabbit with a friend?

Yes, if they understand your rabbits' routine and know when to call a vet. Give them written instructions, a rabbit-savvy vet's details and an emergency contact, and keep bonded rabbits together.

Guide · Rabbits

Rabbit sitter checklist: a care sheet your sitter can follow

Rabbits can hide illness well, so the person looking after them needs to know what normal looks like — and what needs a vet quickly.

Last reviewed: 1 October 2026

In short

Give your rabbit sitter feeding amounts (plenty of hay, plus greens and pellets), water and cleaning routines, housing and handling notes, medication, your vet's details and an emergency contact. Tell them that a rabbit not eating or not producing droppings needs a vet promptly.

Feeding

Hay: where it's stored and to keep it topped up all day.
Greens and pellets: what, how much and when — and any foods to avoid.
Water: bottle or bowl, and to check it hasn't frozen or run dry.

Housing and cleaning

Explain where your rabbits live, when they get exercise space, how to secure doors and runs, and how often to clean litter areas. Keep bonded rabbits together.

Handling and behaviour

Say whether your rabbits like being picked up (many don't), how to approach them, and what's normal behaviour for each one — so the sitter notices if a rabbit is unusually quiet.

Warning signs that need a vet

Not eating, or fewer or no droppings
Sitting hunched, quiet or reluctant to move
A dirty or wet bottom — check daily, and more often in warm weather, for flystrike

Leave the name and number of a rabbit-savvy vet and the nearest out-of-hours service.

This guide is general preparation advice, not veterinary advice. Contact a vet if you are worried about a rabbit's health.

Common questions

What should I tell someone looking after my rabbit?: Share how much hay, greens and pellets to give, fresh water arrangements, cleaning routine, how your rabbits are housed, how they like to be handled, any medication, your vet's details and an emergency contact. Explain what normal eating and droppings look like.
What are warning signs a rabbit sitter should watch for?: A rabbit that stops eating, produces fewer or no droppings, sits hunched or seems quiet needs a vet promptly. In warm weather, sitters should also check the rabbit's bottom is clean and dry, because flystrike can develop quickly.
Can I leave my rabbit with a friend?: Yes, if they understand your rabbits' routine and know when to call a vet. Give them written instructions, a rabbit-savvy vet's details and an emergency contact, and keep bonded rabbits together.

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