Rabbits are active, curious, and socially interactive animals that thrive in environments where they can engage in their natural behaviors. These endearing creatures need adequate space to run, hop, stand on their hind legs, dig, and stretch. Without a well-designed and enriching setting, rabbits can develop health and behavioral issues. Providing them with an appropriate and stimulating environment is essential for their well-being.
Where to Keep Rabbits Indoors
When keeping rabbits indoors, pet parents have several options: allowing them to freely access your home, designating a specific room for them, or setting up a bunny enclosure. Regardless of the setup, there are key requirements to ensure your home is a safe and healthy space for your rabbits and consequently protected from chewing damage and other unsanitary issues often associated with pet ownership. Using grass pads for rabbits can be particularly helpful in this regard, which we will discuss further in the article.
Your rabbit should have a primary space to rest, relieve themselves, eat, drink, and find refuge when needed. Additionally, they should have adequate space for exercise and recreation.
A general rule of thumb is to provide an enclosure at least four times their size—the larger, the better. For small to medium rabbits like Dwarf or Dutch rabbits, the minimum requirement is 24 inches wide, 24 inches high, and 36 inches long. The larger the breed, the larger the cage should be. For multiple rabbits, multiply the cage size by the number of pets you have.
5 Essentials for Your Rabbit Enclosure
Whatever your choice is for housing your bunny, grass pads for small animals, and the following essentials should be present when you have a pet rabbit.
1. Flooring
When setting up the base for your rabbit enclosure, consider solid, easy-to-clean flooring that provides good traction. Rabbits can slip on smooth surfaces like tiles, which may lead to injuries. Materials like newspapers, carpet tiles, rugs, or yoga mats can prevent foot sores and provide a padded surface for your rabbits to walk on.
2. Furniture
In the wild, rabbits live in underground burrows, which serve as safe hiding spots. You can recreate this environment by providing cardboard boxes and soft tunnels—the same ones used for cats or small dogs. Additionally, offering blankets, old sheets, or pet beds gives them a warm place to rest and feel secure.
3. Food and Water Bowls
Use flat, wide food and water bowls that are easy to clean. Heavy glass or ceramic bowls are ideal since your rabbit is less likely to tip them over. Avoid light plastic bowls, as rabbits tend to toss them around. Keep hay available at all times to help wear down their continuously growing teeth, and consider using a hay rack to keep it clean and accessible.
4. Furniture and Toys
Provide your rabbit with toys and makeshift furniture made from safe, chewable materials like cardboard to recreate their natural habitat and keep them entertained. These can include ramps, tunnels, and hide boxes encouraging active play.
These items stimulate their natural behaviors, such as digging and chewing, and help prevent inappropriate chewing on furniture, walls, plants, and electric cords. Small, hard plastic toys, digging boxes, and structures made from untreated, non-cedar wood are also great for physical and mental stimulation.
5. Grass Pad
Instead of traditional litter trays, consider using grass pads for small animals as a bathroom space for your rabbits. Gotta Go Grass® pads are ideal for this purpose, particularly when paired with interlocking trays that can create a larger area, reducing the risk of territorial disputes. These biodegradable pads are safe and toxin-free, making them a healthy option for your pets. Plus, they can be composted to enrich your lawn.
Rabbits instinctively choose specific spots, often corners, to relieve themselves. Place a real grass pad in their preferred location to encourage proper potty habits. You can also place hay above the grass pad to attract them, as rabbits often like to munch while they go. This setup makes urine and potty training more effective and natural for your rabbit.
By incorporating these essentials into your rabbit enclosure, you can create a comfortable, stimulating, and safe environment that promotes your rabbits' well-being and encourages their natural behaviors.
Other Things to Consider
If you let your rabbit roam freely around your house, it's crucial to rabbit-proof your home to ensure their safety. Consider enclosing areas accessible to your rabbit with gates with 2 inches or less openings between the bars. The gates should be high enough—about three to four feet—to prevent a full-grown rabbit from jumping over.
Regardless of where you keep your rabbit, ensure they are safe from electrical wires and cables, toxic houseplants, and other pets that might prey on them, such as cats or dogs. Additionally, be mindful of the risk of accidentally stepping on your rabbit when they have free reign of the house. Younger rabbits are particularly prone to nibbling, so besides supervising them, make sure to properly rabbit-proof your home to keep them safe and prevent damage.
By taking these precautions, you can create a safe and enjoyable environment for your rabbit, allowing them to thrive while keeping your home intact.
For more tips on rabbit care and to explore our range of grass pads for dogs and other small pets like rabbits, gerbils, and hamsters, visit the Gotta Go Grass® website today.
