A rabbit’s environment directly affects their health, happiness, and behavior. Too often, rabbits are confined to small hutches or cages with little room to move. This setup is not only outdated but also harmful, leading to boredom, stress, and health problems. Rabbits need space to hop, stretch, dig, and play, along with a safe and stimulating environment that allows them to express natural behaviors.

This guide will walk you through the essentials of creating a proper home for your rabbit that is safe, spacious, and enriching.

1. Indoor vs Outdoor Living

Indoor housing is generally safest for rabbits. It protects them from predators, extreme weather, and disease-carrying insects. Outdoor enclosures can be used but must be secure, predator-proof, and always supervised.

Indoor rabbits tend to be more social, bond more closely with their guardians, and live longer lives.

2. Free Roaming and Exercise Space

Rabbits should not be confined to a cage all day. Instead, provide a rabbit-proofed room or allow them to free roam in your home.

If full free roaming is not possible, use a large exercise pen with at least enough space for three to four hops in every direction and the ability to stand on their hind legs without touching the top. Provide several hours of supervised free time outside the pen daily.

3. Rabbit-Proofing Your Home

Rabbits are natural chewers and diggers. Without precautions, they may damage furniture, wires, or flooring.

Tips for rabbit-proofing:

• Cover electrical cords with protective tubing or hide them out of reach
• Block access to toxic houseplants and small spaces where rabbits can get stuck
• Protect baseboards and furniture legs with chew guards or safe alternatives

4. Flooring and Bedding

Hard or slippery floors can injure a rabbit’s feet. Provide soft, non-slip surfaces such as rugs, grass mats, or fleece blankets.

Avoid wire flooring, as it can cause painful sores on a rabbit’s feet. Bedding should be safe, absorbent, and easy to clean. Options include paper-based bedding or soft hay.

5. Essential Supplies for the Home

Every rabbit setup should include:
• Litter boxes with paper-based or wood-pellet litter (avoid clumping or dusty litters)
• Hiding places such as cardboard boxes or wooden houses for security
• Chew toys and wooden blocks to support dental health
• Hay racks or feeders to keep hay clean and abundant
• Water bowls or heavy crocks, which are easier for rabbits than bottles

6. Creating Enrichment Spaces

Rabbits need more than just space; they need mental and physical stimulation.

Ideas for enrichment:

• Provide tunnels, cardboard castles, and digging boxes
• Rotate toys weekly to keep things fresh
• Offer safe outdoor playtime in a secure, enclosed area when weather permits
• Encourage natural behaviors like digging and foraging by providing safe substrates and food puzzles

7. Temperature and Comfort

Rabbits are sensitive to extreme temperatures. They prefer cool environments between 16 and 22°C.

• Keep them out of direct sunlight or overheated rooms
• Use fans or air conditioning in hot weather, but never direct airflow onto them
• Provide warm bedding in cooler months but avoid drafts

8. Common Mistakes in Rabbit Housing

• Keeping rabbits in small cages or hutches with no free time
• Using unsafe flooring such as wire mesh
• Ignoring the need for hiding spaces and enrichment
• Housing rabbits outdoors without adequate predator-proofing
• Forgetting to rabbit-proof the home, leading to accidents and injuries

Final Thoughts

The perfect rabbit home is one that respects their natural behaviors, keeps them safe, and provides the freedom to move and explore. A secure and stimulating environment ensures physical health and emotional wellbeing, helping your rabbit live a long and happy life.

Creating the right setup is an investment not only in your rabbit’s health but also in the bond you share. When rabbits are given the space and care they need, they become affectionate, playful, and deeply rewarding companions.

For more advice on creating rabbit-friendly homes, visit rabbit.org and other trusted rabbit welfare organizations.