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Photo by Helena Lopes
Free-roaming rabbits are healthier and always do binkies!
Rabbits are some of the most intelligent pets in the world. They can learn to do tricks, respond to their names, and even fetch! But a lot must be done first if you want to let your rabbit run freely through your home.
It takes patience and thorough planning, but once you get used to having a free-roaming rabbit in the house, it can be just as happy (and far more entertaining) than any other pet.
Before you do all these tips later, let your bunny familiarize the place first.
Are Free-roam Rabbits Happier?
Yes! Definitely! Giving them the freedom to explore, run, and play in the house without space limitations makes them happier. Rabbits are social and curious animals; putting them in cages won't fulfill their natural behaviors like bunnies in the wild.
How much free roam do rabbits need?
We are talking about free-roaming rabbits in the house, so time limitations are not involved here. They should have unlimited time to explore the place freely—this is about helping you have a hundred percent free-roaming rabbits with the tips we are about to give you!
6 Important Preparations: Free-roaming Rabbits
Let's prepare your house for a free-roaming bunny!
1. Designate Litter Boxes
While you're in the process of preparing your house, litter-training your bunny is included to make free-roaming possible. Designate litter boxes in all your bunny's favorite corners so it can get used to them. You need at least 2-3 litter boxes in the house, and to make it more fun, you can purchase all three colors of Bumbox: Pink, blue, and cream.
2. Bunny-proofing
As destructive behavior cannot be eliminated, your home also needs protection from the attack of your cute bun! Bunny-proofing includes securing the cables to avoid electrocution. You also need to bunny-proof the corners of walls because your bunny might chew if it seeks another "fun" activity.
To keep your rabbit safe, keep all wires and cables out of reach, especially those that run across the floor where they might get accidentally stepped on by human feet or your bunny.
3. Rabbit Playpen
You must have a rabbit playpen in case you need to go out for grocery shopping or other errands you need to do. Buy a high-quality playpen so it won't get easily knocked by your playful bunny. Provide your bunny with the toys it needs in the playpen to avoid getting bored and sad.
4. No Predators
Training your bunny to free-roam will be more complicated if you have other pets in the house. Bunnies are free-roaming when they feel safe around. To avoid predators entering the house, make sure there are no holes for them to prevent possible intrusion.
5. Accessible Rooms
Since you let your bunny free-roam, ensuring the rooms are open is crucial. Rabbits get stressed out when they cannot find their way out. If you allow your bunny to enter your room, ensure it's open so it can go out quickly at any time. Don't let your bunny be trapped in a place.
6. Flooring
A carpeted floor will be suitable for free-roaming bunnies. You don't have to worry about sore hocks for your bunny as long as it is active and playing. Although, supervision is needed because they chew carpets when they're bored.
Raising Free-roaming Rabbits
Neutering and spaying your bunny when they reach maturation age will make the process of free-roaming easier because they can learn to use a litter box. Free-roaming bunnies are more active, social, curious, and independent than caged bunnies.
If you're starting to train your rabbit to free-roam, you can start from one area of your house before getting them accustomed to the whole household. Your living area will do!
Disclaimer: We are not professional veterinarians or medical doctors. We created this blog based on our experiences with pet rabbits. We volunteered hours in the rabbit shelter, did extensive pet product research, and asked experienced peers. The purpose of this blog is to provide information about properly taking care of rabbits. Please know that it is still best to visit the vet regularly. For medical emergencies, contact a rabbit-savvy vet. Always observe your rabbits around new products or environmental changes.
Final Thoughts on Free-roaming Rabbits
They can be happy in a home where they can roam freely, but keeping them safe and comfortable is essential. Rabbits who don't get enough exercise may become overweight or even develop other health problems like heart or dental disease.
We hope the list of preparations helps in your bunny's free-roam training!
Visit us at HoppScotch.bun today!
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