Rabbit Housing & Setup Guide

Creating a safe, clean, and happy home for your bunny.

At Lilli’s Lops, we believe that a rabbit’s home should feel like a peaceful haven — a place where they can play, rest, and express all their natural bunny behaviors. Whether your rabbit lives indoors or outdoors, this guide will help you design a setup that keeps them healthy, secure, and deeply content.

Understanding Your Bunnies Needs

Before diving into setups and supplies, it’s important to remember that rabbits are highly intelligent, active, and social animals. They aren’t “cage pets” — they need room to move, stretch, explore, and interact.

When setting up your rabbit’s living space, think in terms of:

Safety: No sharp edges, toxic materials, or predator access
Comfort: Soft flooring, good airflow, and temperature control
Space: Enough room to hop, stretch, and binky freely
Stimulation: Toys, tunnels, chew items, and human interaction

A rabbit’s environment shapes its behavior, trust, and long-term health.

Indoor Housing Options

Indoor housing allows your rabbit to be part of your daily life — a wonderful way to bond and keep them protected from weather and predators.

Exercise Pen (X-Pen) Setup

This is one of the best all-around setups for house rabbits.

What you’ll need:

36–42” tall exercise pen
Waterproof mat or washable rug underneath
Litter box in one corner
Hay rack or hay basket near the litter box
Hidey house or tunnel for security
Toys and chews scattered around

Tip: Keep the litter box and hay side-by-side — rabbits love to munch while they potty!

This setup is flexible, easy to clean, and adaptable to any room layout.

C&C Grid or Modular Enclosures

C&C (cube & coroplast) grids can be arranged into creative custom enclosures. They’re great for maximizing space in smaller homes.

Allows multiple levels or sections (sleep, play, potty)
Easy to expand as your rabbit grows
Add fleece liners or soft rugs for traction

Free-Roam Living

If your bunny is litter-trained, free-roaming is the gold standard. They can explore a bunny-proofed area or even your whole home.

Bunny-Proofing Essentials:

Cover or lift electrical cords
Block baseboards with plastic guards
Keep toxic houseplants out of reach
Supervise introductions to other pets

Many owners create a “bunny room” — part living space, part play area, filled with hideouts, hay, and enrichment.

Outdoor Housing & Enclosures

Outdoor setups can work beautifully if they are built with safety, temperature, and predator protection in mind. Rabbits can enjoy fresh air and natural light — but they must be well-secured and protected from heat, cold, and fear.

Essential Features of a Safe Outdoor Hutch

Predator-proof construction: solid locks, hardware cloth, sturdy wood or metal
Shade and ventilation: avoid direct sun; ensure airflow without drafts
Weather protection: roof overhangs, insulated walls, dry bedding
Attached run: allows daily exercise without exposure

Minimum space:
A hutch should allow your rabbit to stretch fully in every direction and have at least 3x their body length of hopping room.

Hutch & Run Combo

A sturdy, weatherproof hutch attached to a secure run is ideal for outdoor living.
What you’ll need:

Solid, raised hutch with a waterproof roof
½” hardware cloth (never chicken wire)
Shaded area and covered roof section
Hay bedding or straw for warmth
Litter box and water bowl inside
Tunnel or ramp between hutch and run

Tip: Face the hutch away from direct sun and wind. Shade and airflow are key in summer, while solid walls and straw insulation keep things cozy in winter.

Predator & Weather Protection

Bury wire 12" deep or skirt it outward to stop digging predators.
Use secure latches — raccoons are clever!
Add windbreaks, roof panels, or tarps for weather extremes.

Enrichment Outdoors

Rabbits thrive when they can dig, chew, and explore.
Add tunnels, willow leaves, branches (apple or willow), and dig boxes.
Rotate toys and offer safe forage like herbs or dandelion greens.

Flooring and Bedding

Soft, clean flooring helps your rabbit feel comfortable, supported, and right at home. The right materials make daily cleanup easy and keep your setup looking neat and fresh.

Great Flooring Options

Fleece liners – Washable, cozy, and perfect for indoor pens
Seagrass mats or low-pile rugs – Add traction and a natural feel
Paper or aspen bedding – Great for nesting areas or litter box corners

Tip: Use a waterproof mat or coroplast sheet underneath for simple cleanup and to protect floors from spills.

Litter Training Setup

Rabbits are naturally tidy and usually pick one corner to use as their bathroom — which makes litter training simple and stress-free.

What You’ll Need

A medium or large litter box (low entry for easy hopping)
Paper or wood pellet litter (unscented and absorbent)
A hay rack or basket right beside the box
Optional puppy pad or mat underneath for easy cleanup

How to Set Up

Place the litter box in the corner your rabbit prefers.
Add a thin layer of litter and a handful of hay on top.
Refresh hay and spot clean daily.

Tip: Rabbits love to munch while they potty — keeping hay near or inside the litter box encourages good habits from day one.

Enrichment & Layout Ideas

A happy rabbit is a curious rabbit! Enrichment keeps them active, prevents boredom, and strengthens your bond. Even small setups can feel exciting and dynamic with a few thoughtful touches.

Simple Enrichment Ideas

Tunnels & hideouts – Offer a sense of safety and fun
Chews & toss toys – Help wear down teeth and encourage play
Dig boxes – Fill with shredded paper, hay, or dried herbs for natural foraging
Forage trays – Sprinkle dried herbs or pellets through hay for a daily “treasure hunt”

Layout Tip:
Arrange your space with zones — one for resting, one for eating, one for litter, and one for play. It helps your bunny feel secure and keeps everything organized.

Temperature, Lighting, and Comfort

Rabbits are most comfortable in cool, steady conditions. They don’t handle heat well, so keeping their space shaded, ventilated, and draft-free is key to their well-being.

Ideal Conditions

Temperature: 55–70°F is the sweet spot
Ventilation: Gentle airflow without direct drafts
Lighting: Natural daylight cycles help regulate sleep and activity
Shade: For outdoor setups, always provide covered areas out of the sun

Tip: In warmer months, offer frozen water bottles or ceramic tiles to lounge on. In cooler weather, add extra straw, blankets, or insulated hideouts for cozy comfort.

Cleaning and Maintenance

A clean space keeps your rabbit healthy and your setup fresh. With just a few simple routines, it’s easy to stay on top of messes and odors.

Daily

Refresh water and hay
Scoop litter boxes
Spot clean any accidents or soiled bedding

Weekly

Replace litter completely
Wash food and water bowls
Wipe down mats, hideouts, and pen panels

Monthly

Deep-clean the entire area with pet-safe cleaner
Launder fleece liners or rugs
Check for wear on toys, flooring, or chew areas

Tip: Keeping a small broom, dustpan, and spray bottle nearby makes quick cleanups effortless — and helps your rabbit stay happy in a fresh, comfy space.

Bringing it all together

Your rabbit’s setup is more than just housing — it’s their world. Whether you choose a cozy indoor pen, a spacious outdoor enclosure, or a full free-roam lifestyle, every detail you add helps create comfort, safety, and joy.

A thoughtfully arranged space encourages natural behavior, easy litter habits, and that calm, curious confidence every happy rabbit shows. As you learn what your bunny loves best, their setup will grow and change with them — becoming a reflection of your care and connection.

Next up: Rabbit Nutrition & Feeding — building a diet that supports health from the inside out.

Rabbit Nutrition & Feeding

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