We are writing this article because our bravest mama rabbit died.

She was one of sixteen bunnies we fostered from a hoarding situation. The most resilient girl, she gave birth and nursed 18 babies across two litters. She was bonded to her daughter Venus. She was loved by the BCB and the community.

She was murdered by a dog.

We are not writing this to make anyone feel guilty. We are writing this because the rabbit community has been too polite about this topic for too long, and politeness will get rabbits killed. So here is the honest answer - the one we wish more people took to heart before it was too late.

If you've ever Googled "how much space does a rabbit need," you've probably seen answers ranging from "a large cage" to "at least 4 square feet." Both of those answers are outdated - new guidelines from the Association of Shelter Veterinarians (ASV) published in 2025 make that clearer than ever.

The short version: rabbits need a lot more space than most parents provide, most commercially sold housing is inadequate, and the gap between what rabbits actually need and what they're typically given is, as the ASV itself put it, "dauntingly wide."

Here's what the research actually says and what it means for your rabbit at home.

Pellets are like potato chips to some rabbits. If your rabbit is eating a variety of leafy greens and quality hay, there may be no need for pellets at all - though that depends on your rabbit's individual needs and your exotic vet's recommendation.