How Do You Set Up an Indoor Home for a Pet Rabbit?

Why a Pen Beats a Cage

Most cages sold for rabbits are far too small to live in. A large exercise pen (or several joined together) gives the floor space rabbits need to run, jump and stretch out, and it can be expanded later. The RWAF figure of 10 × 6 × 3 feet (3 × 2 × 1 m) for a pair is a minimum, and it should be available all the time. Many indoor rabbits go on to share a whole rabbit-proofed room.

• Put rugs or interlocking mats on slippery floors so rabbits can grip.
• Include hides, a box to sit on, a dig box and tunnels.
• Keep the pen away from radiators, drafts and direct sun.

The Hay-Over-Litter Trick

Rabbits like to eat and toilet at the same time. Put a large litter tray in the corner they choose, fill it with paper-based litter, and pile fresh hay on top or in a rack right above. Most rabbits learn quickly. Avoid clumping cat litter and pine or cedar shavings. Neutered rabbits are usually much easier to litter train.

Rabbit-Proofing Cables, Baseboards and Furniture

• Lift cables out of reach or cover them with hard cord protectors.
• Block gaps behind sofas and appliances.
• Protect baseboards (skirting boards) and furniture legs with boards or covers.
• Remove houseplants; many are poisonous to rabbits.
• Give plenty of safe chewing: hay, willow, cardboard boxes, untreated wood.

Graduating to Free-Roam

Once your rabbits are reliably litter trained and the room is fully rabbit-proofed, you can open up more space. Start with one room, supervise at first, and keep the pen as their safe base with the litter tray, hay and water.