It's important to have an enclosure in your home where you can keep your bunny safely when you are at work or at night or when they are unsupervised.
Although you can buy bunny cages in pet stores, many people find their bunnies outgrow these spaces and then choose to expand them into an enclosed area. This gives their bunnies space to binky about and leaves enough room for toys and other essentials like litter trays and hay feeders.
In this guide we show you how to build a typical indoor enclosure
In this guide we show you how to build a typical indoor enclosure, commonly used by many bunny owners and where the best place is to put it in your home.
We also have a guide to how big it should be and ideas for the best flooring to use.
How do I build a rabbit enclosure?
You need to build a pen big enough for all their stuff and for them to binky about in it.
You will need to cover the floor to prevent damage from chewing and the floor below being damaged.
Your bunny will need some shelter or inner hideaway where they can feel safe, Dog cages are ideal for this.
You will need a litter tray and food station situated together if possible.
What do you need to build a bunny enclosure?
The simplest way to build an enclosure is to use one or more pet pens to create a perimeter fence.
These come in a pack of large sheets of wire fencing that can be clipped together, look out for ones with a gate built into them which can give you access without having to un-clip or climb over the fence to get in.
Products we recommend for building a bunny enclosure
Pet pen
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Heavy duty foldable pen
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Transparent pet pen fence
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Wire grids
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These fences come with plastic clips or systems where they slot together or are secured using cable ties.
Remember bunnies, especially young kits can be good climbers so make sure it's a full-sized fence, the bigger the better.
You may want to keep an eye on it at first to see if your bunny can climb out. If so, you will need to either build the sides up a bit or put a cover over the top.
Some pens come with covers which can be great if your bunny is a bit of an escape artist.
It can be helpful to build the enclosure around a more secure cage such as a bunny cage or large dog cage. This can be a place of security and shelter inside the enclosure for your bunny and help you manage the space.
Folding metal dog cage
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This can all be clipped together using cable ties which will make the whole structure more solid.
What's the best type of bunny enclosure
A very common enclosure is made of a pet pen lashed to a large wire dog cage.
If you can afford the space a utility room or spare bedroom can be converted into a bun room.
Multi level condos can be build out of wire grids and cable ties
Even large purpose built cages and hutches can be a bit small for a bunny.
Start with a large pet pen made from wire sheets that can be clipped together
We recommend one with a gate in one panel as this can make access and cleaning a lot easier
You can also get pens with covers which can be helpful If you bunny is a bit of an escape artist
Next create an inner shelter in the pen where you bunny can feel safe, a wire dog crate is ideal for this
Its best to lash the dog crate and the fencing together to make them more stable
Cover the area with plastic sheeting to stop toilet mess and water spillages draining through and causing damaging to the surface below
Add a layer of comfortable, clean bedding such as a rug, blanket or wipe free childrens play mat
How big should your bunny enclosure be
There is no limit to the maximum space you can give your bunny and the bigger the better so this really comes down to how much space you can give up in your home. You do need to be careful about the minimum space required and you can find some good advice regarding this on the RWAF website.
Bunnies need lots of room to stretch out and relax
You should consider the minimum space to be big enough for your bunny to carry out its natural behaviors such as hopping about, at least three steps, it needs to be able to stretch up and reach its full height.
You will also need extra room for the other things inside such as a litter tray, water bowl or feeder, hay feeder and some toys and a hideaway. Remember bunnies can pick up quite a lot of speed when they binky about so you don't want them crashing into things.
How big should I make my bunny enclosure?
There is no limit to the maximum space you can give your bunny and the bigger the better
The minimum space should be big enough for your bunny to fully lay out in and hop about, at least three steps
It needs to be tall enough for your bunny to be able to stretch up and reach its full height
Remember you will need extra room for all the other things such as a litter tray, water bowl or feeder, hay feeder and some toys
Bunnies do vary in size so a larger enclosure may be needed for a big bunny
Where is the best place to put your bunny enclosure?
You will need to find somewhere calm for your enclosure to live, remember bunnies don't like loud noises and are easily scared so avoid chaotic spaces like a utility area with noisy appliances or kitchen or pantry where there are food smells that may be disturbing.
Rooms where children play can also disturb your bunny and if they are in a den make sure it is not next to stereo speakers or a TVs to avoid loud amplified noises.
Lastly make sure the temperature in the room is even and does not overheat in the summer or get too cold in the winter and conservatories that get very hot can be unsuitable.
Check for drafts at floor level as this can be uncomfortable for your bunny.
The best place is a heated and ventilated room in your home that does not get much traffic and is not in direct sunlight so your bunny can be safely left alone to relax.
Where is the best place to put your bunny enclosure?
Find a large space, big enough for a pen with a shelter and litter tray and still leave room to stretch and hop about
Make sure it has a front door so your rabbit can come and go on their own
Bunnies don't like loud noises and are easily scared so avoid chaotic spaces like a utility area with noisy appliances or corridors
Avoid kitchen or pantries where there are food smells that may be disturbing and your bunny can easily get under foot
Rooms where children play can also disturb your bunny and if they are in a den make sure it is not next to stereo speakers or a TVs to avoid loud amplified noises
Make sure the temperature in the room is even and does not overheat in the summer or get too cold in the winter, conservatories can be unsuitable
Check for drafts at floor level as this can be uncomfortable for your bunny
What the best floor to use in your bunny enclosure
Bunny enclosures can get a bit messy so it's best to cover the floor to stop any damage occurring.
This can also offer a bit of insulation and add a bit of grip to slippery floors to stop your bunny sliding about.
It can be especially helpful to cover carpeted floors which can be hard to clean and get damaged from by your bunny chewing them.
With a bit of bunny proofing a utility room can make a great bunny space
Typical floor covering used for house bunnies
Carpet off-cut, you can pick these up at a discount piece in most carpet stores.
Children's play mats as these are tough and easy to wipe clean, keep an eye on these to see if it's being eaten as this may be harmful.
Rugs or blankets, make sure it is made of a natural material, avoid synthetic materials with a rubberized back or strands of synthetic material in case your bunny chews them.
Horse mats are super tough and can be cut to size.
Floor covering we recommend to use in a bunny enclosure
Pet pen
Buy it on Amazon
Heavy duty foldable pen
Buy it on Amazon
Transparent pet pen fence
Buy it on Amazon
Wire grids
Buy it on Amazon
Folding metal dog cage
