Rabbits can live indoors but normally live outdoors. If they live outdoors you must keep them in protective conditions like a hutch. If kept indoors a rabbit can be trained to use a litter tray but will still need a secure cage to sleep and rest in.

The amount of space your rabbit needs will depend on its size. Rabbits need enough room to stand on their hind legs and stretch out fully.

The hutch should be divided by a partition to form an exercise or living area with a solid-walled sleeping compartment with an opening large enough for the rabbit to pass easily back and forth. The living area should have a strong wire mesh front with a door that opens easily to allow you to feed it and clean it. The door should have a strong latch or fastener to prevent cats, dogs and wild animals such as foxes from attacking your pet.

Rabbits also need bedding in their hutches, which usually comprises sawdust or shavings to absorb urine and hay for nesting material. A layer of newspaper under the sawdust will help to soak up moisture and make cleaning out easier. Rabbits should have their bedding changed at least once a week, perhaps more often in the summer.

Keep your rabbit well protected from the weather. Keep their hutches free from draughts, damp and direct sunlight. In wet weather a polythene or Hessian cover can be pulled down loosely over the front of the hutch to stop the rain from getting in, but this should not stop the air from circulating freely. And remember very young rabbits need extra protection to prevent them getting chilled in colder weather.

Many owners like to provide their rabbit with a run. Once again, security is essential as rabbits will dig and if left unattended will quickly escape. Ideally runs should have a wire mesh floor to prevent your rabbit from digging and be strong enough and securely covered to stop dogs and cats from knocking it over to get to the rabbit.

Never pick up a rabbit by its ears. When removing your rabbit from its hutch it must feel secure. The hind limbs of a rabbit are very strong and if the rabbit is allowed to kick it may damage its spine or scratch you.

Approach your rabbit from the front, pass a hand over its head to grasp the skin at the scruff of the neck and with your other hand control the hind limbs. This can be done either by placing your hand behind the rabbit’s limbs so that they can be bunched up, or by sliding the hand under the rabbit, so that, as it’s lifted the back is straightened and the hind limbs extended slightly.

If you are carrying your rabbit any distance it can be transferred to your chest without releasing the scruff and your second hand placed under the hindquarters to support the weight of the body.

When returning a rabbit to its hutch, return it rear end first to stop it kicking out with its back legs and hurting itself.