House Rabbit Handbook: How to Live with an Urban Rabbit

The book contains all the basic information about rabbit care in a home setting. Care, feeding, grooming, attending to health needs, and the like are covered. There are also suggestions about rabbit-proofing a home and the pros and cons of allowing rabbits to roam freely around the house.

For me, the most helpful section of the book dealt with introducing a new rabbit my first rabbit. I assumed that since he was so friendly, a new friend would be perfect. I was wrong. He was a terror and wanted nothing to do with his new playmate. Now one is lost without the other. The suggestions of this book really worked.

While the information in the book is based on sound veterinary advice, the reader quickly realizes that the author relies heavily on personal experience as well. The techniques she espouses flow from her experience. Ideally, people will want to read this book prior to getting a rabbit, especially since it contains valuable information about preparing for the rabbit to come home. However, if you, like me find yourself in a crisis situation with a rabbit and need to find a book with answers, this book will be a godsend.

Just one piece of advice. Don't leave the book on the floor by mistake. I am noticing a few little nibbles on the binding. Though I am a voracious reader, I do not think that the nibbles are the way I devour my books.


This book saved my bunny's life!!!   October 21, 1999
Lauren Shifflett (lshifflett@hotmail.com) (Washington, DC)
16 out of 16 found this review helpful

If you are an animal lover, you know that animal fugitives often come to our doorstep in a box, thrown out of their homes by naiive people who didn't know what they were getting into, and bought a cute little fuzzy critter on impulse. Such was the case with my Steve (previously named Elsbeth), a cute fuzzy white bunny with pink eyes, and nice healthy teeth.

Hesitant about bring a pooer and a chewer into my home, I tentatively agreed and set about researching as much as possible about rabbits. I found nothing--nothing which would help me to stop him from chewing up yet another electrical chord or leather jacket or pair of shoes, and nothing to stop him from pooing and peeing everywhere, and trying to uh...have relations with my kitties!

My roommate and I loved our new fuzzy, long-eared, cotton-tailed addition to the family dearly, but we were starting to have nightmares about being buried under mountains of poo! I had never given up an animal in life, and would sooner cut off an arm than do so. But we made the decision to give him to a shelter, where I knew his chances of making it were slim.

That's when I found the House Rabbit Society, and their wonderful book. Now, all of a sudden, everything made sense. The handbook helped me to think like a rabbit, and now that I have bunny-proofed my home, and given him everything he needs to be a bunny, he, my 3 roommates, my 2 cats, and my dog live in [near-] perfect harmony.

And last February, we even adopted a second bunny to be his girlfriend (spayed of course) so he wouldn't be lonely. Now, I even foster other rabbit fugitives for The House Rabbit Society!


THIS IS THE ABSOLUTELY ESSENTIAL RABBIT GUIDE!   August 7, 1999
Emily Beighley (San Mateo, California)
14 out of 14 found this review helpful

Unlike many other current "rabbit books" (which contain out-of-date and possibly harmful information), The House Rabbit Handbook is timely, factual, practical and dedicated to positive human/rabbit relations. The health, well-being, and quality-of-life of both you and your rabbit companion(s) will improve with the essentials provided by this book. Issues covered include a bunny-proof indoor environment, neutering/spaying, choosing a healthy rescued rabbit from a foster home or shelter, litterbox training, regular veterinary care from a QUALIFIED rabbit vet, unlimited Timothy hay, limited Timothy/alfalfa pellets, caring for a rabbit throughout their 10-12 year lifespan, resources such as The House Rabbit Society, and lots of inspiring anecdotes and advice. Our bunnies Funny, Henry, Porcini, Chana and Naomi fully recommend the latest edition of The House Rabbit Handbook!