Beyond the hutch: top 3 tips for outdoor enclosures for happy rabbits
Image Credit Instagram @bunny_and_henry_and_moo_moo
When it comes to creating the perfect environment for your bun to call home, whether your pet lives outdoors all or just some of the time, there is a lot to think about. A suitable enclosure offers your rabbit the chance to explore, play and enjoy the great outdoors. So, from selecting the right rabbit hutch, to providing rabbit toys that will help keep your bun busy, don’t worry, we’ve got you covered!
Read on for our top 3 tips for setting up an outdoor enclosure with everything your pal needs to help them live their best bunny life.
1. Plenty of space
Top of the list of ‘must-haves’ is plenty of space. Rabbits love to stretch their legs and according to the PDSA, the absolute minimum living area for a pair of rabbits is 3m x 2m x 1m. However, more is always better…
An enclosure that is too small can lead to boredom and an increase in behaviour problems – even a bonded bunny pair may start to bicker if they don’t have enough space. And did you know that a third of pet rabbits are overweight? Just like us, exercising, alongside a healthy diet, is key to staying trim. An enclosure with plenty of room will give your bunny pals the opportunity to stay active, binkying to their heart’s content.
Image Credit Instagram @bunny_and_henry_and_moo_moo
2. Protection from the elements
While rabbits enjoy spending time outdoors, they need protection, both from inclement weather and to keep them safe from predation. As well as a secure enclosure, a rabbit hutch provides suitable sleeping quarters, as well as shelter from the elements.
Of course, a hutch should never be the sole living area and rabbits should have free access to their enclosure. The size of rabbit hutch may vary a little depending on the enclosure size but, just like an indoor rabbit cage, a hutch should be a minimum height of one metre.
Rabbits are particularly vulnerable to heat stroke so in warmer weather the enclosure should be positioned in a shaded area, out of direct sunlight. As a general rule, rabbits cope better with cold than heat but when it turns chilly, putting extra bedding in their rabbit hutch will help keep them cosy. Tiny Friends Farm Eco Bedding is super soft on tiny paws, virtually dust free and highly absorbent – perfect for keeping pets warm and dry.
3. Enrichment, entertainment and which rabbit toys are best?
In the wild, rabbits spend much of their time foraging for food and exploring their surroundings. This natural behaviour can be encouraged by incorporating enrichment activities into their outdoor living space. Why not scatter fresh herbs around the enclosure to encourage natural foraging or hide some tasty rabbit treats inside a bundle of tasty Timothy hay?
Investing in some rabbit toys is another fantastic way to keep your bun entertained. From chew sticks to tunnels and activity balls there are lots of options to keep them busy. Just make sure that toys are made from bunny-safe materials, with no small parts that they could swallow. And remember rabbit toys don’t need to be expensive – DIY options are just as good.
- Cardboard boxes make great hiding places
- Fill cardboard tubes with a hay and herb mix
- Make a dig box using bunny-safe materials like hay, cardboard tubes and shredded paper
- Rotate your rabbit’s toys to keep their interest
Creating an outdoor enclosure that meets the physical and behavioural needs of rabbits requires careful planning and consideration. By providing plenty of space, protection from the elements with a suitable rabbit hutch and opportunities for enrichment, you can create a safe, happy outdoor environment where your rabbits will thrive.
Found this interesting? Read 10 reasons why rabbits make fantastic family pets next.
