December 17, 2025, 12:37 pm | Read time: 3 minutes
Rabbits are mistakenly considered low-maintenance—but anyone who owns them knows: These social animals need daily attention. But what if a day trip or a short getaway is planned? How long can rabbits really stay home alone without their well-being being affected?
Short-term Absence Up to 24 Hours Possible
A fundamental point upfront: Rabbits should never be kept alone—that is, without companions. They are highly social animals and need the company of at least one partner. If they live in pairs or groups, they can manage up to 24 hours without human supervision—provided everything is well-prepared.
It’s crucial to plan such absences well, and they should not be the norm. Rabbits don’t miss us as dogs or cats might, but they still have needs that owners must address. For example, the German Animal Welfare Federation recommends that dwarf rabbits receive 70 percent fresh greens, 20 percent vegetables, and 10 percent fruit as a small treat per day. This must be considered when planning absences. 1
Another rule of thumb, which also applies to larger rabbits, is 200 grams of fresh food per kilogram of body weight. The entire requirement must be available to the animals for the day of absence. However, fresh fruit should not remain in the cage for 24 hours; instead, it should be offered as a treat shortly before departure, or replaced with more durable root vegetables. Additionally, the animals must have access to plenty of clean water, preferably in large bowls, not in nipple drinkers.
You Buy “Pasture Milk”? Here’s How Little Time the Cows Actually Spend Outside
How to Protect Rabbits From Overheating in Summer
Limit Movement—but Don’t Neglect Exercise
During the owner’s absence, rabbits should not be left unsupervised to hop around the entire house. To prevent accidents and ensure the animals’ safety, it’s important to keep them in their enclosure or a rabbit-proofed room.
This should provide enough space for hopping and hiding but contain no hazards. It’s even more important that the animals receive more exercise as soon as their caregivers return, allowing them to move freely and explore their surroundings.
Therefore, a sufficiently large enclosure is essential. The Veterinary Association for Animal Welfare (TVT) recommends a minimum area of six square meters for two animals. For each additional rabbit, this area should be increased by 20 percent. This rule of thumb applies to animals up to three kilograms. Larger rabbits require even more space, and it’s best to set up a rabbit room.
More Than a Day? Care Is Necessary
If you’re away for more than 24 hours, you should arrange for a reliable caregiver. This person should check on the animals at least once, preferably twice a day. In addition to feeding, tasks include health checks, cleaning the enclosure, providing exercise, and ensuring social interaction.
Besides private vacation care, professional boarding at an animal pension is also an option. Here, professionals take care of the animals’ well-being daily. Typically, a daily fee is charged, and booking for care must be done well in advance, especially during holidays.
However, many rabbits are sensitive to the absence of familiar people and a change of environment. Their enclosure is familiar and their safe retreat. Long transports, such as by car or public transport, are very stressful for these sensitive small animals. If unavoidable, a rabbit-friendly transport box should be used, accommodating at least two animals. This way, they can travel together and comfort each other.
About the Author
Louisa Stoeffler kept rabbits for many years before turning to cat ownership—and has since advocated for smaller pets to receive the attention and proper care they deserve. As an editor at PETBOOK, she has been writing about pet care, animal welfare, and natural history topics since 2022.