Welcome Home / First week home / Rabbit & Guinea Pig

Rabbit & Guinea Pig First Week Home Checklist

Day-by-day settle-in tasks so the first week feels calm instead of chaotic. Written for rabbit or guinea pig owners, free to print or use on your phone.

Tap an item to check it off — progress saves on this device. For paper, print at 100% scale (not “fit to page”).

Download printable PDF See other checklists

Pet's name

Date home

0 of 13 done — checked items are saved on this device only.

Before they arrive

Set up the enclosure in a quiet, temperature-stable spot away from drafts
Add hiding spots, bedding, and a litter corner if litter-training
Have hay (for rabbits and guinea pigs) ready and fresh
Buy a few days of their current pellet food to avoid a sudden switch

Day 1

Let them settle into the enclosure without handling for the first day
Offer fresh hay, water, and a small amount of pellets
Keep the room calm and free of loud noise

Days 2–3

Start short, calm handling sessions at floor level
Watch appetite, droppings, and activity level daily
Begin a consistent feeding schedule

Days 4–7

Offer supervised time in a safe, enclosed exercise space
Introduce one new vegetable at a time to check for tolerance
Book their first vet visit with an exotics-experienced vet if possible

Hope this makes the first week a little easier. Hosting and running this site costs money. If the checklist helped, a small tip, any amount, helps keep it free: buy me a coffee.

Tip:$1 $2 $5 Custom

Each button opens Buy Me a Coffee in a new tab. Choose any amount there.

Once the first week is behind you

Weights, vet visits, medications, and questions for the next appointment all live in Your Pet's Health Log — the free companion site, no account needed.

Open the free health log

More free rabbit & guinea pig checklists

Rabbit & Guinea Pig Supply Shopping List
Rabbit & Guinea Pig First Vet Visit Prep
Rabbit & Guinea Pig Home Safety Checklist

Tracking their health next? Your Pet’s Health Log is a free fill-in pet health log.

Not veterinary advice. These checklists are general starting points. For diet, medication or any health worry, ask a vet who works with your pet’s species. If something seems urgent, contact a vet right away.

Welcome Home — free checklists for the first days with a new pet.

Health log About Contact Accessibility Privacy Terms Buy me a coffee (optional)