Rabbit Housing

One of the key reasons why rabbits have been indentified as the most cruelly treated pet in the UK is that many owners do not understand their accommodation needs. Rabbits have been kept in tiny hutches for so long now that it has become accepted as appropriate. Keeping rabbits shut up for long periods of time in inadequately sized housing is cruel and leads to mental and physical suffering.  The video below explains why spacious accommodation is essential for all rabbits.

The minimum hutch size for a medium sized pair of rabbits as recommended by welfare organisations is 6ftx2ftx2ft. This is the bare minimum that rabbits require. In order for their welfare to be properly met they also require access to lots of exercise outside of their hutch. Ideally rabbits should have permanent access to a safe exercise area such as a large attached run.

One reason why so many people fail to provide adequate accommodation for their pet rabbits is that a majority of hutches/cages manufactured for rabbits are completely unfit for purpose! Finding appropriately sized rabbit housing in pet shops can be difficult. Even when a hutch appears to be the appropriate size the quality can be appalling meaning that the hutch is neither weather/predator proof so again completely unfit for purpose.

In order to help potential new rabbit owners buy appropriately sized housing of acceptable quality for their bunnies we have put together a few recommendations below. We are not on any commission for recommending any of the companies or products below. These are genuine recommendations based on our own experience. However, if you do order from any of the companies below please mention ‘Camp Nibble’ as it can only help us to convince the companies below to be more generous next time we are ordering accommodation for our rescue animals from them ;-)

  
Ryedale

These handmade hutches and runs really are in a different league to any others we have come across. The build quality is exceptional and they can be built to your own specifications. They are delivered in person fully constructed. The quality of these hutches and runs is reflected in the price. However, like many things you get what you pay for and we believe that they are very fairly priced.

http://www.rehutches.com/

Rabbit Hutch Shop

For a more affordable alternative we have also been impressed by the ‘Rescue Recommended’ section offered by this website. They offer several products that are appropriate for rabbits. This website is one of the only places where we have found a hutch/run to meet the recommendations of the Rabbit Welfare Association.  They recommend that a pair of rabbits should have at least a 6ftx2ftx2ft hutch with an 8ftx6ft run attached. The flat packed products on offer here are not the quality of the Ryedale hutches above. However, compared to many of the hutches available we have been very impressed by these.

http://www.the-rabbit-hutch-shop.com

Other great alternatives to hutches that we recommend for rabbits are sheds, children’s play houses and the brilliant and unique runaround system.


This website has a great gallery of rabbit accommodation to give you some inspiration:

http://www.saveafluff.co.uk/housing-photos

For more rabbit housing information please read these great advice leaflets created by the Rabbit Welfare Association:

Basic rabbit set ups.

The reality of small hutches.

How do you keep your bunny?

A hutch is not enough leaflet.