Want to be a more eco-friendly rabbit owner? With some simple changes, you can reduce waste and your carbon pawprint while keeping your fuzzy friend happy and healthy. This article will hop right into 10 tips for creating a sustainable habitat that is good for your bunny and the planet. From repurposing cardboard to planting an edible rabbit garden, you’ll learn easy green ideas to help the environment. Your rabbit will enjoy chewing on natural toys, munching fresh treats, and playing in their sustainable space. Read on to discover how small steps can make a big difference for your bunny and the world we share. Let’s jump into creating an eco-friendly rabbit home!
Rabbit poop is great fertilizer
Rabbit manure is an excellent natural fertilizer for your garden. The small, pellet-like droppings are high in nitrogen and contain many nutrients that are essential for plant growth. Rabbit poop breaks down quickly, so it can be applied directly to garden beds without composting. Spread a thin layer of rabbit manure around your vegetable plants, flowers, trees, and shrubs. The nutrients will work their way into the soil and boost your plants. Using rabbit manure cuts down on chemical fertilizers.
Source your rabbit’s food locally
Shop for rabbit food and treats that are locally grown and produced. Support your local farms and feed stores. Locally sourced hay and pellets have shorter transport distances, reducing carbon emissions from shipping. You’ll also be investing in your regional economy. See if you can find rabbit feeds made from organic or pesticide-free ingredients for maximum eco-benefits. Visit farmer’s markets in your area to find rabbit-safe fruits, vegetables, and herbs.
Grow your own rabbit food garden
Grow a garden with rabbit-safe foods to supplement your bunny's diet with fresh, organic produce right from your backyard. Herbs like basil, mint, parsley and cilantro are simple to grow and bunny-approved. Plant carrots, kale, tomatoes, swiss chard, radish greens, celery leaves, and broccoli. Apple and pear trees make great additions. Rotate plantings to keep the garden productive. Allow your rabbit to munch directly from the garden under supervision for the freshest snack possible.
Get your rabbit spayed or neutered
Spaying or neutering your rabbit is one of the best things you can do for their health and the environment. Fixed rabbits are less likely to mark territory with urine and be aggressive. This reduces unwanted litters that end up in crowded shelters. Millions of rabbits are euthanized in shelters each year. Spaying and neutering also prevents reproductive cancers. Check with local shelters and rescue groups, as many offer discounted spaying/neutering services. If you can't afford it, many vets also have payment plans.
Food scraps for rabbits
Reduce food waste by feeding your rabbit vegetable scraps and peelings from fruits and veggies you eat. Leafy greens, broccoli stalks, carrot tops, apple cores, melon rinds, and herb stems are all fair game. Just be sure scraps are rabbit-safe and unprocessed. Anything potentially spoiled should be composted instead. Monitor if scraps upset your rabbit's sensitive digestive system. Feeding scraps is a great way to get a second use out of discarded food.
Cardboard recyclers
Rabbits love to chew and cardboard boxes make great natural toys. Save and provide clean cardboard items from deliveries or shopping trips. Simple boxes with flaps removed can be hopped in and out of. Longer tubes are fun hideaways and tunnels. Just be sure to remove any tape, labels, and staples which could be hazardous if ingested. Supervise to prevent over-consumption and intestinal blockages. Reusing and repurposing cardboard beats purchasing plastic and wood toys.
Using nature as toys
Incorporate sticks, pine cones, leaves, grass, and other natural items into your rabbit's environment. Rabbits have instincts to forage, dig, and tunnel. Provide cardboard egg cartons and paper bags to shred. Fill a box with leaves or straw to rummage through. Set up a digging box with soil. Hide leafy greens in cardboard tubes. Always supervise playtime with natural toys and rotate items to keep it interesting. Nature's toys are often free and eco-friendly.
Use a recycled paper litter
Choose a biodegradable and compostable paper-based litter made from recycled materials, rather than clay. Brands like Carefresh and unscented Yesterday's News avoid wasting natural clay resources. Paper litters are very absorbent and easy to compost once soiled, unlike clay. Look for paper litters produced sustainably from recycled paper, wood pulp or agricultural byproducts. Using compostable litter is kinder to the planet.
Buy in bulk
Purchasing rabbit food and supplies in bulk quantities saves on packaging and reduces waste. Look for large bags of rabbit pellets and bales of hay. Buy litter or bedding by the large sack instead of small boxes. Shop for bulk amounts of treats and chew toys. Reuse empty bulk bags as trash bags. Bulk buying takes fewer trips to the store and costs less per unit. Club stores like Costco often carry bulk options. Just be sure to store items properly to maintain freshness.
Make your own cleaning products
Avoid chemical cleaners for your rabbit's habitat that can be toxic for bunnies and the environment. Make your own natural cleaning solutions instead. An all-purpose cleaner can be made by mixing a half cup vinegar with 1 gallon of water. For disinfecting, combine 1 cup bleach into 1 gallon of water. Baking soda helps deodorize. Wipe down litter boxes, cages, and toys with your natural cleaners and rinse thoroughly afterwards. Making your own costs a fraction of store-bought cleaners!