Although you can adopt rabbits when they're either adults or babies, the latter will require more time and energy to train.

Before choosing your potential pet, take the time to observe it in its cage. It should be lively and alert, and its nose should constantly be twitching unless it's asleep. Avoid those that seem withdrawn, which is often a sign of illness. Next, try approaching it with your hand; a normal rabbit should come sniff at it or even lick it. Take it in your arms; it should be alert, but calm. You can then check its overall health: soft fur, bright eyes, clean ears, normal stool, etc.

It's not a good idea to let your rabbit roam around your house unsupervised. Because rabbits like to nibble everything in their path, they can easily electrocute or poison themselves.

Place your rabbit in a very active part of the house, where it's likely to feel like a member of the family. It's important to avoid draughts from entrance doors.

By creating a stimulating space for it, you'll avoid deviant behaviour. Its cage must be spacious and should measure at least 1.5 x 1.5 x 1 m, and bigger is even better. Classic rabbit cages are actually too small for rabbits.

Here are a few bedding options for lining the bottom of the cage, along with their advantages and disadvantages:

1. Wood shavings: avoid cedar and pine, which can be irritating; instead, opt for odourless white wood
2. Corn cob: best avoided, as it easily gets mouldy and can be eaten by the rabbit
3. Straw and hay: very comfortable, but must be changed frequently, as the rabbit will eat it
4. Newspaper: not very absorbent and dirties feet and fur
5. Recycled, compressed paper litter: good choice if used solely in the litter box
6. Cat litter: only in the litter box; avoid clumping litter
7. Wire mesh: avoid, as it will injure your rabbit

Necessary accessories:

1. Food bowl and water bottle
2. Litter box
3. Basket of hay
4. Small bed
5. Toys

Toy ideas:

1. Paper bags
2. Cardboard boxes
3. Empty toilet paper or paper towel rolls
4. Natural wicker basket
5. Old magazines or books
6. Cat balls
7. Parrot toys
8. Plastic children's toys
9. Stuffed animals
10. Napkins

Rabbits are coprophagous animals, meaning that they eat their feces. Rich in vitamins B and K, protein and carbohydrates, cecotropes are the green and sticky droppings that rabbits consume. Basically, rabbits digest their food twice. But you will likely never see your rabbit's feces, or see it eat them. However, if you find any in the cage, it can indicate a problem. If you do and it becomes a persistent problem, consult a veterinarian who specializes in rabbits.

Your rabbit's diet should consist of fibre-rich rabbit pellets, fruits and vegetables, some dry hay and water. Feel free to let your pet eat as much rabbit food as it wants: it's not the kind of animal that gains weight unnecessarily.

Fruits and vegetables must be an integral part of your furry friend's diet. In any given day, it should eat three different kinds of vegetables. Give it around two to four cups of veggies each day, but only two or three tablespoons of fruit.

Veggies that rabbits enjoy include asparagus, basil, beet leaves, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, carrots, carrot leaves, cauliflower, celery stalks, chervil, chicory, Chinese cabbage (nappa), cilantro, clover, cucumbers, dandelion leaves, dill, endives, escarole (broad-leaf endive), green peppers, kale, lamb's lettuce (field salad), mint, parsley, pumpkin, radicchio, radishes, romaine lettuce, spinach, summer squash, turnips and zucchini.

Recommended fruits include apples, bananas, blueberries, grapes, melon, papaya, peaches, pears, pineapple, plums, raspberries and strawberries.

Foods to avoid:

1. Iceberg lettuce: low in nutrients
2. Avocados: toxic
3. Potatoes: too much starch
4. Sweetened foods: excessive bacterial growth in the intestine, which leads to gas and diarrhea
5. Seeds: overweight, fatty deposits in the liver and gastrointestinal disturbances
6. Mineral blocks for rodents: increased risk of urinary tract problems

Your rabbit should always have dry hay at its disposal. This will help it avoid digestive problems and hair balls. Alfalfa has a high calcium content that can cause urinary problems. However, you can give it to growing rabbits in small quantities.
And always remember to provide fresh water.