Rabbits are environmentally friendly pets
Rascal enjoys a special treat: an apple stick topped with compressed hay sprinkled with dried flowers.
Earth Day is celebrated every year on April 22nd, and it’s a great opportunity to reflect on our environmental impact and how we can be better stewards of the environment.
Did you know rabbits are environmentally friendly pets? It’s true! There are several reasons why, such as:
Rabbits eat a naturally vegan diet, which includes fresh vegetables and hay. Rabbits should eat about 2 cups of daily vegetables per day; these can be sourced from your garden or a local farmer’s market, reducing the carbon footprint compared to pets who eat commercial meat-based foods. Depending on the vegetable, rabbits can eat the stems and tops of some veggies people eat too, further reducing waste! Visit houserabbit.org/diet to learn more about proper house rabbit diet and what vegetables are safe to feed rabbits.
Rabbits eat a lot of hay – it should be 80 percent of their diet – and if you use biodegradable litter, you can throw a rabbit’s litter pan contents into your compost bin or use it in your garden. Rabbit droppings make excellent fertilizer, being naturally high in nitrogen and phosphorus. Even if you don’t have a garden at home, you can share your wealth with a friend or community garden! In contrast, dog and cat waste can’t be composted, and many cat litters aren’t compostable or biodegradable either. Plastic bags are often used for dog and cat waste as well.
Many toys made for rabbits are biodegradable, such as untreated willow, soft pine, jute, and seagrass, as opposed to plastic. Earth.org estimates that pet products generate approximately 300 million pounds of plastic waste in North America alone, so it’s a good idea to be mindful of how much plastic you’re buying for your pets, and reduce it, if possible. Most rabbit toys are made to be destroyed and broken down. You can also DIY a lot of rabbit toys reusing materials from cardboard packages, paper towel rolls, shredded paper, and more, getting multiple uses out of these products. Rabbits love to destroy cardboard and paper towel rolls stuffed with hay, especially if there’s a treat or two hidden inside. These items are a cost-effective way of keeping your rabbit entertained! In comparison, many dog and cat toys are made of plastic, feathers, and other non-recyclable materials.
Rabbits are inherently clean animals and do not require frequent water-intensive baths like dogs. Their self-grooming behavior helps conserve water, and they rely less on chemically-formulated grooming products too.
The typical cleaner for rabbit litter boxes and accidents is water and vinegar, not cleaning products made with harsh chemicals.
Of course, there are many other reasons someone should consider adopting a rabbit besides the fact that they’re an eco-friendly pet and they can align more with their environmental values. Rabbits have distinct personalities and quirks, in addition to their adorable looks.
At House Rabbit Society, we believe rabbits are wonderful companions, but they’re not for everyone. If you’ve never had a rabbit before, we encourage you to spend time on our website, learning more about them and whether they would be a good fit for you, your family, and your lifestyle. We also recommend fostering a rabbit first so you can experience what it’s like caring for one before you make a lifetime, 10-year commitment to adopt! For those living in the San Francisco Bay Area, visit houserabbit.org/foster to learn more about fostering with HRS. We only ask for a 2-week commitment and we’ll send you with all the supplies you need to get started.
For those living elsewhere, check out your local rabbit rescue or shelter to find rabbits available for adoption or fostering near you! You can also check rehoming websites like Home to Home to find rabbits living in private homes who are looking for a new family.
And remember, it’s critical to have your rabbit spayed or neutered. It helps prevent overpopulation which causes an unnecessary environmental impact, and also helps with behavior problems like aggression and urine spraying. An unfixed female rabbit also has an 80 percent chance of developing uterine cancer. If you live in the SF Bay Area and are looking to get your rabbit spayed or neutered, HRS offers low-cost spay/neuter services by appointment. Visit houserabbit.org/medical to learn more and to book an appointment.
