Shopping List

Where should I go to get my supplies?

If you’re getting a new bunny, you’re going to need a few things! You can buy food, hay, and a few other items from us! See our Supply Stores page for more recommended shops.

Be careful not to trust most big-box stores that offer rabbit supplies:

There are SO MANY products out there advertised for rabbits, that are not healthy and can cause major issues for your bunny. You can buy supplies at big-box stores, but only buy things you know and trust. Many stores recommend products that are unsafe for rabbits, including wire-bottom cages, water bottles, unsafe harnesses, food loaded with sugar and sometimes even containing nuts and other bad ingredients, treats also loaded with sugar and other toxic ingredients, and so much more!

Rabbit enthusiasts have learned which products are safe, and which ones are not. Please always talk to other bunny enthusiasts, like us, before you buy!

Food

There are several brands of rabbit pellets. Ask us for our suggestion for your bunny when you adopt. You should not make sudden changes to a bunny’s diet; instead, if you want to change foods, you should introduce the new food gradually. Follow the instructions for how much to feed your bunny. Typically, this is approximately 1/8 cup of pellets per 5 LBs of rabbit. Learn more about Feeding & Diet.

Timothy Hay

Your rabbit must have an unlimited supply of Timothy Hay! We recommend finding a local supplier of high-quality hay. You can buy high-quality hay from us or from the other stores listed at the bottom of this page. You can also find bags of timothy hay at most pet supply stores.

Fresh Veggies

Your bunny should get fresh veggies every day.
See our Bunny-Safe Veggie List for the do’s and don’ts of bunny veggies.

Food & Water Crocks

Buy two heavy crocks–one for food and one for water. 

Bunnies should be given ample fresh water in a bowl. Bunnies suck water, and water bottles don’t allow them to easily get all the water they need. You might consider buying a hanging water bottle in addition to a water bowl, just to make sure water is always available in the even the bowl spills.

Carrier

Small and medium-sized bunnies fit comfortably in cat-sized carriers. If you are thinking of a pair of bunnies, or a larger breed, choose a medium-sized carrier (on of the sizes meant for small, but not tiny, dogs). Styles that have a top-opening door are the best option if you buy a cat-size carrier.

A House

Even if you intend to allow your bunny to roam free in your home, you’ll need a ‘home base’ for your rabbit. Rabbits enjoy having their own space where they can feel safe, and where they know their litter box, water, and food will always be waiting. See our Bunny Housing page for lots of ideas.

Clean towels & Blankets

Visit a thrift store to get some towels you can use for your bunnies. You’ll need a towel to put in the pet carrier so that your bunny doesn’t slip around in the carrier. You’ll also use towels in your bunny’s new living environment. Look for fleece blankets as well…bunnies love them. Be sure to wash the towels and blankets before you use them for your rabbit!

Litter Boxes

We recommend a medium-sized cat litter box. Unless your bunny is very small, the smallest-sized litter boxes sometimes don’t provide enough room. Remember that your bunny may like lounging in the box–with his or her bonded mate–so the box should be large enough to accommodate that.

Litter

Cover the bottom of the litter box with one of these litters and then add a generous layer of Timothy Hay on top and voila! The perfect bunny box.

You can dispose of used litter with your yard waste 

Note that all of these litter types, along with timothy hay and your bunnies’ ‘contributions’ to the litter box, are compostable:

If one of your neighbors is an avid gardener, ask if they’d like the used litter for their compost.

Avoid wood-shaving style litters. These often create aromatic oils that can be toxic to bunnies! We recommend using one of the following types of litter:

  • We recommend ABM (Advanced Bedding Management 100% Wood Pellets) or Woodstove Pellets. These wood pellets are the least expensive litter you can buy. While they are made out of wood, they are safe for your bunnies.

  • Recycled newspaper pellets, such as Crown Animal Bedding or Yesterday’s News.

  • Pulped paper, such as CareFresh Litter

Toys

Bored bunnies get into mischief! You can make your own toys out of the cardboard centers of toilet-paper or paper-towel rolls. You can also use toys meant for birds, which are fairly easy to find at most pet stores. Make sure that, if the toys are made of plastic, they are made of a very hard plastic; bunnies can chew through and ingest softer plastics.

Baby toys made of hard plastic, such as baby keys, are also very popular with bunnies. Learn more about toys.