Bringing your Rabbit Home

What do I need?

Hutch

Every rabbit needs a cosy home, a place they can call their own, where they can feel safe. This is why choosing a hutch is such and important purchase and there is so much to consider in buying the right model for your rabbit and for you.

So, what makes a good hutch?

Firstly the hutch needs to spacious, the minimum recommendations are 5ft x 2ft but ideally speaking the bigger the better, allowing for enough height for your rabbit to stand upright on their hind legs, this allows your rabbit space to move freely without being cramped. The hutch must have two separate compartments - a day area with plenty of light, where your rabbit can eat and play; and a sleeping compartment that is enclosed, sheltered and allows your bunny to cosy down in privacy at night time. This is vital to provide your rabbit with their own private space that you should not disturb.

All hutches should be adequately weatherproofed if they are to be positioned outside, especially during the winter. Although rabbits have snug coats they don't like to live in a draught and certainly don't want to get wet and cold so make sure you position the hutch in a sheltered place. The more sturdy and insulated the hutch the better and if it doesn't already have legs make sure you raise the hutch off the ground so the floor doesn't get damp.

Top tip: A hutch hugger or hutch snuggle will help to protect your rabbit's hutch from the elements.

Always keep your rabbit's safety in mind, and consider how secure the hutch is, is the wire mesh small enough to keep out rats? Are the door latches tough enough to deter a fox? Rabbits do have predators, especially when their hutch is outdoors so make sure it is predator proof.

Exercise is vital to keep your rabbit healthy, so make sure you purchase some kind of run and let your bunny out to play every day. A run needs to be sturdy and secure and have an area which provides shade on those hot sunny days. Rabbits can dig very well and will try to dig out, so you may consider a secure wire mesh base to prevent this from happening. The base should still allow your rabbit access to the grass.

Some hutch designs come with exercise runs included: be it a 2 tier hutch with a run beneath the living area or a hutch that can attach to a run that allows the rabbit freedom to enjoy both areas. A 2 tier hutch is easier for you and much more spacious for your rabbit. The added height of the top floor can be more secure from predators too.

Ever thought of keeping your rabbit indoors?

Bedding

Rabbits require plenty of clean and dry bedding which should be replaced when soiled and changed completely at least once a week. Wood shavings and straw provide a good base, as well as hay, which is also important as a food supplement . Recycled shredded paper also provides good bedding especially for indoor rabbits.

Rabbits love to gnaw so it is vital that you don't provide them with any bedding that could be toxic if eaten or could hurt them if chewed.

Top tip: put lots of bedding in their sleeping compartment so they can shape it to make their own cosy nest

Bowl:

A ceramic bowl is recommended for dry food. This should be deep enough to keep the food dry and clean.

Water Bottle:

Fresh drinking water should be supplied in a bottle with a valve at the bottom, this will help keep water clean and fresh. Make sure you change the water daily, especially in the winter months when the water can freeze.

Top tip: In winter use a Bottle Snug to prevent your water bottle from freezing over, it'll keep the water cool in summer too!

Toys

Rabbits can get very bored when you are not around to play with, so it is vital that you provide toys to keep your bunny entertained. There is a large variety of different toys available, from chew toys that are not only fun but help to keep your bunny's teeth in good condition; to toys with hidden treats that give your rabbit a rewarding challenge.

Top tip: An empty toilet roll stuffed with hay or an empty cardboard box with holes in can provide a fun toy for your rabbit so there is no reason why your bunny should ever be bored!

Click here to see our range of rabbit toys