Big bunny care
takes preparation.

Rabbits should not be placed in a bathtub, sink, or tub of water. Full-body bathing can cause severe stress, chilling, injury during struggling, and dangerously slow drying of their dense coat.

• For a small dirty area, gently spot-clean with a barely damp cloth and dry the fur completely.
• Brush loose fur and debris instead of soaking the coat.
• Never submerge the rabbit or allow water into the ears or nose.
• If urine or stool is repeatedly stuck to the fur, contact a rabbit-experienced veterinarian—the rabbit may have pain, obesity, dental trouble, arthritis, or digestive illness.

Rabbits groom themselves constantly and swallow more loose fur during a molt. Regular grooming removes loose fur before the rabbit can ingest as much of it.

• Brush gently to remove loose fur and debris.
• For the damp-hand technique, lightly dampen your hands or a soft towel—never soak it—and stroke in the direction the coat grows.
• Loose fur will cling to the damp surface. Wipe your hands or towel clean and repeat gently as needed.
• Keep unlimited fresh grass hay and clean water available. Hay’s indigestible fiber helps keep food and swallowed fur moving through the digestive tract.
• Watch eating and droppings closely throughout a heavy molt.

Rabbits do not cool themselves efficiently, and Flemish Giants can be especially vulnerable because of their large bodies. Start active cooling precautions around 80°F (27°C). Above 80°F, move the rabbit into air conditioning or another reliably cooled indoor space.

• At about 80°F, fill a clean two-liter soda bottle with water, freeze it, wrap it in a thin towel, and place it where the rabbit can choose to lie beside it.
• Keep the rabbit out of direct sun and provide shade, airflow, and unlimited fresh water.
• Above 80°F, increase precautions and bring the rabbit indoors. Do not rely on a fan or frozen bottle alone.
• Use air conditioning to maintain a comfortably cool room. A frozen bottle or cool ceramic tile provides extra comfort but does not replace dependable cooling.
• Never leave a rabbit in a hot vehicle, shed, garage, or outdoor enclosure without dependable cooling.

Rabbits are territorial and can fight suddenly. A serious fight can cause deep bites, broken bones, severe stress, or even death—especially with the size and strength of Flemish Giants.

• House unfamiliar rabbits separately in secure enclosures so they cannot bite through shared bars.
• Intact females can be especially territorial and may act more aggressively than males, particularly around nesting, pregnancy, or their enclosure. Individual temperament varies, and males can also fight seriously.
• If intact rabbits fight, keep them separated. Spaying or neutering is recommended before trying to bond them again, after discussing the safest timing with a rabbit-experienced veterinarian.
• Spaying or neutering can reduce hormone-driven aggression and may help rabbits become calmer, but it does not guarantee that two rabbits will be compatible.
• Begin introductions slowly in a neutral area that neither rabbit considers its territory.
• Supervise every meeting closely and separate them immediately for circling, boxing, lunging, biting, or a fast aggressive chase.
• Do not leave rabbits together unsupervised until they have shown a stable, peaceful bond over repeated sessions.
• Even bonded rabbits should be monitored for renewed aggression after illness, separation, a move, or another major change.

Rabbits are naturally cautious animals. Spend at least 30 minutes every day sitting at their level, petting them, and offering gentle play. Let the rabbit approach and step away by choice. Consistent, calm time together builds trust and strengthens your bond.

• Provide safe toys such as hay rollers, cardboard boxes, plain paper, newspaper, and empty toilet-paper rolls.
• Offer rabbit-safe, untreated wood for chewing. Heart Hopper Giants uses clean apple branches from our own untreated apple trees.
• Rabbit-proof every play area. Cover or remove electrical cords because rabbits naturally chew.
• Never hit, chase, or physically punish a rabbit. Fear can damage trust and make defensive behavior worse.
• If a rabbit nips, make a brief “ow” or “eep,” calmly pause the interaction, and redirect the rabbit to an appropriate chew toy. Reward calm, gentle behavior.
• Remember that nipping may communicate fear, pain, territorial behavior, or a request for space. Repeated or sudden biting deserves careful attention and, when needed, veterinary guidance.