Bringing a rabbit into your home is more than just giving it a cage — it means creating an environment that lets it behave naturally, stay healthy, and feel safe. Rabbits are active, intelligent animals that need more than food and shelter: they need space to move, hide, exercise, and feel secure. Without proper planning and setup, a rabbit’s health and welfare can suffer.
Choosing the Right Space and Shelter
The first thing you should arrange is a proper living area — ideally a shelter (like a hutch, shed, or dedicated space) attached to an exercise run or area. If housing rabbits outside, the enclosure needs to be secure, predator-proof, and placed away from direct sunlight or harsh weather. The shelter should be raised slightly off the ground to stay dry, and the floor should be solid (not wire) to protect your rabbit's feet.
Whether indoors or outdoors, the space should provide room for the rabbit to hop, stretch, stand upright and move comfortably. Inside the shelter, include a cozy resting area, a separate toilet or litter corner, and hiding spots so the rabbit can retreat when feeling threatened or stressed.
Flooring, Bedding and Hygiene Basics
Rabbits’ feet are sensitive, so avoid wire floors or slippery surfaces. Instead, use solid, non-slip flooring, and cover it with safe bedding such as dust-free hay, straw or shredded paper. Bedding helps keep them warm and comfortable, and gives them soft surfaces to rest on.
Maintaining cleanliness is crucial. Daily spot-cleaning removes droppings or soiled bedding; at least weekly — or more often when needed — do a thorough cleaning of the shelter and exercise area. Using pet-safe cleaning products and leaving a bit of familiar bedding behind afterwards can help reduce stress for your rabbit.
Enrichment: Hiding Spots, Toys, and Exercise
Rabbits are curious and active creatures. They need more than a box or cage to survive — they need mental and physical stimulation. Provide safe hiding places such as tunnels or boxes, offer chewable items (like untreated wooden toys or safe branches) to help wear down their teeth naturally, and add opportunities for digging or exploring.
Creating an environment where they can hop, run, and dig — even indoors — helps keep them fit and mentally engaged. Hanging vegetables or offering foraging opportunities can mimic natural behaviors and make life more interesting for them.
Indoor vs Outdoor Living: What to Consider
If you keep rabbits indoors, make sure the area is rabbit-proofed: cover or remove electrical wires, move toxic plants out of reach, and block off dangerous zones. Their pen or enclosure should be placed in a quiet, well-ventilated spot away from loud noises or disturbances. A suitably-sized pen or even a rabbit-proofed room can work, as long as it includes a safe shelter, space to move and explore, and hiding spaces.
When moving rabbits between outdoor and indoor housing — for example, during colder weather or seasonal changes — it’s best to introduce the new environment gradually. Familiar items (toys, bedding) help ease the transition. Keeping routines consistent and providing a comfortable resting area helps reduce stress.
Companionship, Routine, and Welfare Needs
Rabbits are social animals: they benefit from companionship — ideally another compatible rabbit — though this also increases space and enrichment needs. They can also bond with humans over time, but forced handling might scare them. It’s best to let them approach you on their own terms, with patience and respectful interaction.
Apart from companionship, rabbits need a stable routine: regular feeding, fresh hay, water, clean bedding, enrichment, and exercise. With consistent care, they’re much more likely to stay healthy and happy.
Final Thoughts
Before you bring a rabbit home, consider: Do you have space for a proper shelter plus an exercise run or play area? Can you provide safe flooring, good bedding, and regular cleaning? Are you prepared to rabbit-proof the environment (indoors or outdoors)? Can you offer toys, hiding spots, and enrichment — and possibly companionship?
If you can answer yes to those questions, you’re well on your way to offering a rabbit a comfortable and fulfilling home. But if your living situation doesn’t allow for space, time, or safety, it might be better to wait until conditions are better suited.