Hiding provides a safe alternative to useless and often injurious escape efforts. Shade must be provided to prevent heat stress or heat stroke. All rabbits, even those housed indoors, are especially sensitive to high environmental temperatures. Adequate shelter must also be provided against wind, rain, snow and ice. Feeding pet rabbits is easy because nutritionally complete and balanced commercial pelleted diets and timothy hay are both readily available.
Commercial pellets tend to promote obesity of inactive pet rabbits.
This is because these diets are calorie-rich because they were originally formulated for consumption by rabbits for their meat and fur. These rabbits are pushed to grow rapidly and do not live nearly as long as our pet rabbits. Due to their high calcium levels, they will also promote bladder stones. Alfalfa hay is not recommended as the sole source of hay, as this product will also promote bladder stones. The pellets should be offered at all times unless overeating and obesity have become problems.