Small pet exterior runs

For an outdoor rabbit, it is necessary to provide a sufficiently spacious and fully secure enclosure. The minimum recommended area is 6 m², equivalent to an enclosure of 3 meters by 2 meters for two medium-sized rabbits. This is the minimum enclosure area.

The minimum height is at least one meter, but a covered enclosure is required. This prevents the rabbit from escaping and reduces the risk of predator attacks.

The enclosure should be escape-proof. The walls must be sufficiently embedded in the ground to prevent rabbits from digging and passing underneath.

The enclosure can be made with rabbit mesh or panels that are embedded in the ground. Some models are modular and come with a fabric roof that provides sun protection.

An enclosure for a dwarf rabbit should have a height of at least 70 cm. This is the minimum for the rabbit to easily stand on its hind legs, but also a minimum to prevent it from jumping over.

If the enclosure does not have a roof or netting, the height should be at least one meter. A rabbit, even a dwarf one, can make significant jumps, especially when frightened.

For an outdoor rabbit enclosure, the ideal ground is composed of grass, earth, hay, and straw. The grass should be natural, untreated by weed killers, fertilizers, or other chemicals. Grass helps minimize the risk of paw inflammation, and your rabbit will enjoy eating it. It is possible to install a few concrete slabs or wooden panels to offer an area that dries more easily.

For an indoor enclosure, the floor can be your home's flooring. Avoid carpets, but tiles, parquet, and linoleum are fully suitable. These surfaces have the drawback of being slippery. A mat made of bamboo, straw, coconut, jute, sisal, sea grass... is perfect for its texture, but your rabbit may nibble it.

To set up an indoor enclosure, it is advisable to choose a quiet but not isolated place. The rabbit should be able to participate in the home life without being exposed to many comings and goings. It should be sheltered from drafts and not too close to a heat source.

The enclosure should not be placed directly behind a patio door or bay window regardless of its orientation. With exposure to the South or West, there needs to be a space that is not in direct sunlight.

For an outdoor enclosure, plan on using "rabbit" mesh with a height of at least 1.50 meters. It must be buried sufficiently deep to prevent escapes and use suitable stakes. Part of the enclosure can be covered with boards, while another part will be closed by a mosquito net, a UV-resistant tarp, or mesh.

The indoor enclosure can be made with rigid mesh or plexiglass or an alternation of these two materials.