By Tim Waters · Updated
By Tim Waters · Updated
As an Amazon Associate, Bunnyproof earns from qualifying purchases.
Throw a few rugs on the floor to add some protection.
Choosing the right floor surface for your bunny, especially in their pen or enclosure is very important.
It needs to stop the damage to carpet or wooden floors underneath from chewing and stains which can be costly to repair. It also needs to make cleaning easy especially around the litter tray.
Hard surfaces are not always the solution as some bunnies find it difficult to move and binky about without slipping and a floor covering here can make play more comfortable.
It is also important in some cases to offer insulation from cold hard surfaces. Picking the right floor for your bunny can be tricky as there are a number of options bunny people choose from.
In this guide we look at some of the popular choices and give you the pros and cons so you can decide on the best option for you.
Vinyl flooring is a cheap way to cover a large area.
Vinyl flooring is a cheap option for covering a larger area. It can be easily cut to size and is wipe clean and stain resistant.
You will need to watch this in case your bunny starts eating it. If this is the case it's best to swap this out with a more natural material.
DIY stores offer cheap outdoor carpet that can be very hard wearing, and they will cut these to size which means you can get something that fits without having to cut it down yourself.
A simple option can be to buy a mat or rug to lay on the floor. They are hard wearing and best of all can be washed if they get stained.
If your rabbit likes to chew things then try and find a mat that's made from a natural material, avoiding mats with rubberized backing or long strands of synthetic fiber as these can cause problems if your bunny eats them.1
“We get a cheap outdoor rug that can't be torn up”
Most pet pens and x-pens are just panels, so your bunny ends up sitting on your carpet or wooden floor. To protect it, put down a waterproof layer first, such as a sheet of vinyl, then lay a washable rug on top for comfort and grip.
Members of our Facebook group suggest keeping two rugs, so one can be in the wash while the other is down. Swapping them once a week keeps the pen fresh, and you'll spot any chewing early.
A cheap option to cover a larger space can be to use carpet roll ends. Most carpet stores will have some cheap bits of unused carpet from a job that you can pick up at a discount price.
Try to find one made from a natural fiber such as wool, and avoid carpet with heavy foam backing. Keep an eye on it, though, as no carpet is safe for your bunny to eat.1
Make sure it does not have big loops or heavy rubber backing
Another popular solution to cover an area of floor is to buy some children's puzzle mats.
These jigsaw like foam sheets are tough and easy to wipe clean, again keep an eye on them to see if it's being eaten.
Children's play mats are easy to keep clean
If you want a single floor covering that would be easy to clean, then some people have found that children's play mats are ideal. These colorful floor covers are tough and stain resistant.
Some people swear by horse stall mats. They are thick enough that they will not bunch up, inexpensive and easy to clean. You can also get them custom cut at a supplier.
“Horse stall mats are good because they are thick enough that they won't bunch up.”
If you want to cover a smaller area for instance inside an enclosure with something your rabbit will really like then you can use a pack of grassy mats, the type found in pet stores.
These are relatively cheap so you can buy a few of them at a time and your bunny will love sitting on them and eating them.
The only downside to these is that they can get a bit messy when they start to fall apart.
Grassy mats can be a tasty way to cover a small area.
Vinyl is a cheap, wipe-clean waterproof option. Lay a washable rug on top so your bunny has some grip, and keep an eye out in case they start to chew it.
1. VCA Animal Hospitals (Gregory Rich, DVM, Laurie Hess, DVM, and Rick Axelson, DVM), Gastrointestinal stasis in rabbits. Advises stopping rabbits chewing rugs, towels or other material that may cause a life-threatening obstruction. Checked 20 Oct 2026.
Tim founded Bunnyproof and has kept house rabbits for over 20 years. He runs the Bunny proofing Facebook group, where around 50,000 members share what works in their homes.
Our guides share practical experience from rabbit owners. They are not a substitute for veterinary advice.
More about Bunnyproof
