Most people underestimate rabbits. They are prey animals with delicate digestive systems, and the difference between a healthy rabbit and an emergency can be a matter of hours. A good sitter brief for a rabbit is mostly about diet and one critical warning sign.

Sitting a different animal?
This checklist is tuned for rabbits. For other species, see Cats, Birds, Reptiles, or the general pet sitter checklist for dogs and cats.

Hay is the whole diet

Unlimited grass hay (timothy or similar) is not a snack — it is the foundation of a rabbit's diet and keeps the gut moving. The single most important instruction you can leave is: the hay pile should never run empty. Show the sitter where the hay is stored and how much to top up.

Daily rabbit brief
  • Unlimited hay — refill so it is never empty.
  • Fresh greens — the specific safe greens you use, and the amount.
  • Measured pellets — a small daily amount, not free-fed.
  • Fresh water daily, in the bowl or bottle your rabbit uses.
  • Check for droppings — normal output means the gut is working.

Greens, pellets & water

List the greens you actually feed, since some common ones are unsafe in quantity. Keep pellets measured — rabbits will overeat them at the expense of hay. Note whether your rabbit drinks from a bowl or bottle and keep it topped up and clean.

Litter & housing

Many house rabbits are litter-trained. Tell the sitter where the tray is, what litter you use (paper-based, not clumping), and to spot-clean daily. Note the rabbit's safe space and any areas that are off-limits or hazard-proofed.

Gut stasis: the emergency

A rabbit that stops eating is an emergency
If a rabbit stops eating or stops producing droppings, that can signal gut stasis — a potentially fatal condition that needs a rabbit-savvy vet within hours, not days. Write this in bold on the brief and include an exotic/rabbit vet number.

Make sure the brief names a vet who treats rabbits specifically — not every clinic does — and an after-hours option.

Frequently asked

Can a rabbit be left alone overnight?

A healthy adult rabbit can manage a single night with enough hay and water, but daily visits are strongly preferred because a rabbit can go downhill fast. Never leave a rabbit unchecked for multiple days.

Why is "stopped eating" such a big deal for rabbits?

Rabbits need constant gut movement. When eating stops, the gut can slow or halt (gut stasis), which is painful and can be fatal within a day or two without treatment. It is a same-day vet situation.

What should I not let a sitter feed my rabbit?

Avoid sudden new greens, sugary treats, and most store-bought "rabbit treats." Stick to the hay, the specific greens you listed, and the measured pellets. Sudden diet changes upset a rabbit’s gut.