Q&A for How to Build a Rabbit Hutch

You'd be surprised the persistence of digging rabbits. Consider adding a bottom to it, in case neighborhood dogs, predators, or rats decide to try to dig under.

You can. Rabbits love to feel cozy and warm and have soft padding beneath them.

The hutch should be sturdy, and elevated about four feet from the ground.

Yes, that would be a good way to provide more space for your rabbit. Just remember that a rabbit still needs plenty of exercise and time to roam outside of its cage.

Rabbits can chew through plastic, so use wire mesh to minimize the possibility of your rabbit escaping.

If you have another, smaller cage to put them in while you expand, sure. Just make sure the rabbit has the things it would regularly have: food, water, toys and hay.

It is designed for one, but one more would not hurt.

You shouldn't use yarn, its claws can get stuck in the carpet. Instead, use newspaper, which makes things really easy to clean. You can also use fresh straw or shredded, untreated white paper. Whatever material you use, make sure to clean and replace it regularly.

No. They will chew it up and it can become entangled in their digestive system.

They can, but it can cause sores on their feet so it's not recommended unless there's padding on top of the wire.

If your hutch or cage is primarily wood, see if you can modify it by adding some heavy gauge wire mesh to the interior. You can put this mesh throughout the entire interior, or just across the areas where you've noticed chew marks. The mesh will keep your rabbit from being able to form a full bite against the cage.

Yes, you can use plywood. If you plan to make an outdoor hutch, weather-treated wood is generally a good option for most of the construction. Just make sure that your rabbit cannot reach the areas with any treated wood as the chemicals can be harmful.

Yes, as long as they are spayed or neutered. Be sure there is enough room for both bunnies. Ensure that you have one water bowl, one food bowl, one hay rack, and one litter box per rabbit.

It depends on what kind of grass. Make sure it is not cut grass from a lawn mower or grass that has been sprayed with chemicals. Although grass works, hay works much better.

You can try, but it might not be easy. You would have to measure how wide the box is and then cut out a block that is the height you want as well as a matching width. Then you have to make it hollow and cut a doorway or let the rabbit just hop over it. Make sure any nails you use aren't sticking out so your bunny doesn't get hurt.

You can buy C&C grids/NIC grids from online stores like Rubbermaid, Amazon, etc., depending on where you live. Some local hardware or pet supply stores might sell mesh as well. Just make sure the mesh is strong enough to stop your rabbits from chewing through it.

You can just use chicken wire for an outdoor area, and make a little den out of wood connected to it.

It depends on how big the box is. You want it big enough for the rabbit to be able to stand up and jump and where he/she can walk around in (don't forget rabbits are very active critters so you need to take your rabbit out constantly either way).

I do not recommend it. Out in nature, they would not typically be on hard surfaces. Your rabbit might hurt its paws or slip and slide, so I would use bedding instead. They need to be able to rest their paws instead of staying on the hardwood. (Wood is better than a plain cage bottom though.) If you don't want to spend tons of money on bedding, I would recommend fleece. It's sold online and can be easily washed and changed.

No, you shouldn't use cotton in the rabbit house. If your rabbit eats it, it could clog their digestive track.

Chew toys like safe wood and cardboard toilet paper rolls or treat chews like grape stems. Baby toys and the balls with bells in them also works well for rabbits.

Repair it and make the hutch sturdier when fixing it. You might also take notice what part of the hutch your rabbit has broken. If it is the mesh, use a sturdier one. If your rabbit gnaws through the wood, you simply need thicker pieces.

Yes, concrete floor or paving slabs are good for rabbit cages or runs. The hard floor will help keep their claws relatively short. Also, the coolness of the flooring in summer can be of benefit to the rabbits. The stone or concrete floor is easier to clean down upon servicing their run and cage area. My wife’s rabbit run area is on similar paved area; we normally place a light covering of straw and hay over the floor to soften. In warm weather, they clear an area themselves to lie down on and cool off.

Use hay or straw as a light covering on their run area and sleeping area. For their toilet area, place a large plant pot water tray filled with wood shavings/sawdust. The rabbits will prefer this tray to poop in. It can be easily removed and cleaned prior to cleaning easily and refilling with fresh wood shavings/sawdust.

Add lots of hay, bedding. Buy a thermal cover, if possible, to keep it heated. Place it in a warm area, away from the wind and rain.

Do not put a heater underneath a rabbit's hutch, it will be too hot and risks fire. There are some thermal insulated covers made for rabbit's cages to keep them warm though.

Yes, you can put wheels on a hutch if you plan to move it. However, it would be a good idea to get locking wheels or some kind of block so the hutch doesn't roll away when placed outdoors.