Rabbits are the UK’s third most popular pet, a delightful addition to many homes with their quiet charm and engaging personalities. However, a startling number of these beloved companions are living in conditions that fall far short of meeting their complex welfare needs.
Our 2025 Rabbit Awareness Week theme, “Happy, Hoppy Homes,” shines a crucial spotlight on the vital importance of providing appropriate housing for both indoor and outdoor rabbits. This isn’t just about shelter; it’s about creating an environment where rabbits can thrive, express their natural behaviours, and live full, contented lives.
The latest PDSA Animal Well-being (PAW) report paints a concerning picture: an estimated 22% of pet rabbits are kept in inadequate housing. This often means small, traditional hutches with little to no access to a secure run or exercise space.
Translated into numbers, this suggests that around 180,000 rabbits across the country are confined in spaces that prevent them from performing even the most basic natural behaviours like hopping freely, stretching out fully, or exploring their surroundings.
Such confinement can lead to a host of physical and psychological problems, from muscle wastage and obesity to boredom, frustration, and stress-related illnesses.
What Constitutes a “Happy, Hoppy Home”?
So, what does good housing look like? The Rabbit Welfare Association & Fund (RWAF) recommends a minimum enclosure size of 3 metres x 2 metres x 1 metre high. This isn’t an arbitrary figure; it’s based on a rabbit’s need to:
- Stand fully upright on their hind legs without their ears touching the roof.
- Stretch out completely in any direction.
- Perform at least three consecutive hops, which is a natural and joyful expression of their energy.
- Run, jump, and binky (a unique hop and twist rabbits do when happy).
This recommended space applies whether your rabbits live indoors or outdoors and should be available to them at all times, not just for a few hours of “playtime.”
Indoor Sanctuaries:
For indoor rabbits, a dedicated room or a large, sectioned-off area using puppy pens or custom-built enclosures can work wonderfully. This space needs to be rabbit-proofed – ensuring that all electrical wires are covered and toxic plants or hazardous items are removed. Indoor rabbits still benefit immensely from:
- Multiple levels and platforms: Rabbits enjoy surveying their surroundings from a higher vantage point.
- Hiding places: Cardboard boxes, tunnels, and fabric hides offer security and a sense of retreat.
- Designated toilet areas: Rabbits can be litter-trained, making cleanup easier.
- Non-slip flooring: Slick floors can be difficult for rabbits to navigate and can cause injury. Rugs or mats can provide the necessary traction.
Outdoor Havens:
Outdoor setups, often a hutch and run combination, must be robust and secure. Consider the following:
- Predator-proofing: Foxes, badgers, and even domestic cats can pose a threat. Enclosures need strong wire mesh (not chicken wire, which rabbits can chew through and predators can break), secure locks, and ideally, a solid roof and mesh dug into the ground or laid under the run to prevent digging in or out.
- Weather resistance: The hutch section should be waterproof and windproof, providing a dry, draft-free sleeping area. In summer, adequate shade is crucial to prevent heatstroke, and in winter, extra bedding and insulation may be needed.
- Enrichment: Just like indoor rabbits, outdoor bunnies need items to interact with. Think tunnels (plastic or willow), digging pits (a sandpit or large planter filled with soil), logs, and sturdy platforms.
- Constant access to the run: The run is not an optional extra; it’s an essential part of their living space. A hutch should ideally be permanently attached to a large, secure run.
A Hutch is Not Enough: Room to Thrive
The message cannot be stressed enough: a hutch is not enough.
While a traditional hutch can serve as a sheltered bedroom area within a larger setup, it should never be the sole or primary living space.
Rabbits are not designed to sit still in a small box. They are active, inquisitive animals that need ample room to explore, forage, play, and interact with their environment and companions.
Providing a “Happy, Hoppy Home” is one of the most fundamental responsibilities of rabbit ownership. It’s an investment in their physical health, their mental well-being, and the joyful bond you share with them.
By understanding and meeting their spatial and environmental needs, we can ensure our rabbits don’t just survive but truly thrive.
