Rabbit runs: how big, what kind and how to make one safe

How big should a rabbit run be?

The run and shelter together should make one space of at least 3 x 2 x 1 m (10 x 6 x 3 ft) for two rabbits. The Rabbit Welfare Association and Fund (RWAF) says the shelter can count towards that footprint, but upper floors, platforms and tunnels cannot, and the 3 m (10 ft) length matters because it lets rabbits run rather than just hop. The RSPCA, PDSA and Wood Green all use the same 3 x 2 x 1 m figure.

The Scottish Government's guidance measures the run on its own: at least 240 x 180 x 90 cm (8 x 6 x 3 ft) for two rabbits, joined to a shelter of at least 180 x 60 x 60 cm (6 x 2 x 2 ft). The two approaches land in a similar place. We'd follow the RWAF's joined total, with a run tall enough for your rabbit to stand up, because it is the one that stops a small run being "rescued" by a big hutch.

Our guide to rabbit enclosure size covers the numbers in more depth, and our cage checker compares measured homes with the figures we use.

Which kind of rabbit run or enclosure?

There are four main kinds, and they do different jobs. Only the first two can be a rabbit's permanent home.

The Scottish Government's guidance names its preferred setup: a shed or playhouse with a cat flap or similar into a secure run. Our page on rabbit sheds shows how to plan one.

Rabbit hutch and run: joining the two

A run is only useful if the rabbits can get into it whenever they want. The RSPCA says the exercise area should be permanently attached to the shelter and accessible at all times, because rabbits are most active in the early morning, late afternoon and overnight. The RWAF warns against moving rabbits from hutch to run for a few hours in the day.

• A pop hole, ramp or tunnel straight from the shelter into the run
• No gap where the two meet: mesh or timber sealed all round the join
• Gentle ramps only; Wood Green warns steep, short ramps are unsafe
• A second run joined by tunnels if you want more space, as the RSPCA suggests
• Rabbits never shut in the shelter overnight; secure the whole run instead

Hutch-and-run sets sold as one piece are usually far smaller than 3 x 2 m in total. Our guide to the best rabbit hutch shows how to check a set, and our rabbit tunnels page covers safe links.

How to stop rabbits digging out

Rabbits dig, and a run on grass needs a plan for it. The RSPCA says the design must stop rabbits digging out and predators digging in, and suggests a wire base set below the ground and covered with soil and grass. The RWAF gives three options: fill or move holes regularly, fit a wire-mesh skirt around the edge, or lay paving slabs around the perimeter.

Predator-proofing a rabbit run

A run used day and night must keep out everything that hunts rabbits. In the UK that means foxes, rats, stoats, weasels and polecats (RWAF), plus cats, dogs and birds of prey (Scottish Government guidance). In the US, Rabbit.org adds raccoons, coyotes, owls, hawks and opossums, and warns that raccoons can open many hutches.

• Welded mesh on every side and the roof: 16 gauge (about 1.6 mm) wire, 13 mm (1/2 in) holes (RWAF)
• No chicken wire anywhere; the RWAF says a fox can shred it in minutes
• Mesh fixed on the inside of the frame with strong U-nails, not staples
• A full mesh roof, because foxes can get over a 1.8 m (6 ft) fence
• A second layer of 13 mm mesh where stoats or weasels live; common 25 mm mesh keeps out foxes and rats but not the smaller hunters
• Padlockable bolts, top and bottom, on every door
• A sealed join between run and shelter
• Out of sight and smell of predators where you can (RSPCA)

Shade, shelter and weather

A run needs shade every hour of the day and cover from rain and wind. The RSPCA gives an ideal range of 10 to 20°C (50 to 68°F) and says to move outdoor rabbits to shade as it nears 20°C (68°F). The RWAF says to place the enclosure out of direct sun and at least partly cover it, with a commercial run cover or a cheap tarpaulin.

• A roofed end that stays dry in rain
• Shade that moves with the sun: check the run in the morning, at midday and late afternoon
• Shelter from the prevailing wind
• In heat, cool pads, frozen water bottles or ceramic tiles, as the Scottish Government suggests
• In winter, a dry, draught-free bedroom with deep straw, and the run still open

Our rabbit temperature guide covers heat and cold in detail.

How to set up an outdoor rabbit enclosure

1. Pick the spot. Level ground, shaded through the afternoon, sheltered from the wind and away from herbicides, slug pellets and poisonous plants (Scottish Government).
2. Secure the ground. Sink welded mesh under the turf, fit a skirt or lay slabs around the edge before the run goes up.
3. Build or place the run. At least 1 m (3 ft) tall, with welded mesh on every side and the roof.
4. Join the shelter. Fix the hutch or shed to the run with a pop hole or tunnel, sealed all round.
5. Cover one end. A solid roof or tarpaulin over part of the run for rain and shade.
6. Furnish it. Hay, water bowls, a hide per rabbit plus one, each with two ways in (RSPCA), raised spots to jump on, and a dig box.
7. Check it daily. Look for holes, loose mesh and chewed timber, and clean the toilet areas every day.

Making a small run better

A run that is too small can usually be extended rather than replaced. Join a second run with a tunnel, add a mesh roof to a pen that has none, swap chicken wire for welded mesh, or put the whole run inside a larger fenced and roofed area. Add platforms and boxes for jumping, as the Scottish Government guidance suggests, but remember they do not count as floor space. Our rabbit enrichment guide has ideas to fill the space, and our rabbit care guide covers everything else.

Indoor rabbit enclosures and pens

Indoors, the space rule is the same. Wood Green asks for 24-hour access to a rabbit-proofed room or an area of at least 3 x 2 m (10 x 6 ft), on a non-slip floor, with cables and plastic pipes protected. PDSA adds that indoor rabbits still need regular time outdoors for daylight. Our rabbit playpen guide covers indoor pens, layouts and floors.