For a new rabbit or any for that matter, getting them the best rabbit hutch is a must. These carrot-loving, cotton-tailed friends hopping into your life make for wonderful pets. They're sociable, inquisitive, and require lots of love that ‘any-bunny’ would be glad to give. Kitting your rabbit out with their own hutch is essential for bunnies that live outside to give them the space and security to be happy, snug, and safe away from predators and the elements.
If you want to keep your bunny happy and healthy, you need to get them a hutch that’s large enough for them to run about and explore. As a rule of thumb, the hutch should be four times larger than your rabbit and they should be able to take three hops from one end to another. But remember, this is just a space for them to sleep in and stay protected from the elements.
Best rabbit hutch at a glance:
• Best rabbit hutch overall: Pets at Home Bluebell Hideaway Hutch 6ft X Large - view on Pets at Home
• Best hutch and run in one: 6ft Kendal Outdoor Rabbit Hutch and Run - view on Amazon UK
• Best rabbit hutch for one: Bunny Business The Grove Grey Double Decker Hutch and Run - view on Amazon UK
During the day, they should be provided with a good space to run around in, whether that’s your garden, an enclosure, or a run. According to the PDSA, the total area available to them should be a minimum of 10 x 6 x 3ft (3 x 2 x 1m), made up of a hutch at least 6 x 2ft (2 x 1m). Fortunately, many rabbit hutches come with two floors which double their available space and if you have a hutch that doesn't quite meet those requirements, you can easily expand by adding a rabbit run to the hutch.
But it’s not just a box to shelter in at night; we’ve shared everything you need to know about buying a hutch for your little fluff down below in our FAQs section. But for now, here are the best hutches you can buy, selected by the Take A Break Pets Experts.
Best rabbit hutches
Best rabbit hutch overall
www.petsathome.com
We would consider the Pets at Home Bluebell Hideaway to be the best hutch for your rabbit as it has everything they could possibly need. It's extra-large, sturdy and secure, and it's raised off the ground - perfect for preventing the wood from getting waterlogged and your bunnies from burrowing out. This hutch also has four doors - super helpful for easy access to your bunny - and a separate bedding area where your rabbit can feel safe and snug.
Reviewers really appreciated the ample space you get with this hutch and how easy it is to put together, thanks to the clear and concise instructions. Some did find the middle section a little harder to clean as there isn't a door directly in front of this section, but it's still doable with a little extra effort. There's also been some mixed reviews on the quality of the wood as some found it sturdy while others thought it was thinner than they expected - something to keep in mind if you have a particularly knaw-happy rabbit.
Pros
- Raised off the ground to prevent ground damage
- Two floors for extra hop room
- Four doors for easy access to your bunny
Cons
- Can be a bit awkward to clean, particularly the middle section
| Size: | W194 x D61 x H112cm |
| Materials: | Softwood, mesh wire |
Best hutch and run in one
AmazonGiving your bunny 2ft of floor depth and headroom, this is one of the best hutch and run combinations we can find for the room it provides. Recognised as good quality by reviewers thanks to the thicker weather-resistant wood design, your bunny can enjoy having its home and run connected in one. And, if you're worried about predators at night, there's a divider between the hutch and run so you can simply lock your bunny in its hutch overnight, or even keep them in their run during the day if you're cleaning.
While it's easy to assemble, it does take a while and the instructions recommend two people if possible, and some found the instructions could have been clearer. Reviewers found the door placement makes the hutch easy to clean and while the run is a little trickier, it is still doable. The only real complaint is that some reviewers found their hutch was damaged on arrival, but fortunately, the customer service team was found to be really helpful.
Pros
- Quality build with sturdy wood design
- Can be used as a hutch and run in one
- Easy access to bunnies and fairly easy-to-clean
Cons
- Some found the hutch damaged on arrival, but it's something the customer service team can resolve
| Size: | L182.9 x W61 x H112.8 cm |
| Materials: | Timber |
Best rabbit hutch for one
This smart rabbit hutch from Bunny Business has a two-part design; a hutch that's raised off the ground with an additional run area. It's ideal for one bunny, giving them space to run around in the mornings before they're let out or for getting in a few extra hops in the evenings when the nights draw in. And with the added height, they might even be able to squeeze in a bink or two. Plus we love that it has pull-out floor trays for easy cleaning at every level.
While we would still recommend your rabbit has access to extra space, reviewers love the stylish grey and white design that's also been treated with a bunny-safe anti-fungicidal stain to prevent it from going mouldy. Customers found it was easy to assemble thanks to the clear instructions but again, there are mixed reviews on the build as some described it as quite flimsy and not as sturdy as hoped.
Pros
- Easy to assemble
- Easy to clean thanks to the wipe-clean trays
- Choice of design: Available in grey or red and with the option to add a cover
Cons
- Even though it's described as a hutch and run, your bunny should get additional run/ exercise space
- Mixed reviews on the sturdiness of the hutch
| Size: | 147L x 57W x 92H cm |
| Materials: | Treated wood |
Best rabbit hutch for longevity
Argoswww.argos.co.uk
New to Argos, the Forest Garden Wooden Rabbit Hutch may be going up a level in price, but it also happens to have a 10-year warranty to protect against rot and insect attacks. The walls of this hutch are made of FSC-certified 12mm cladding that makes this hutch a robust choice, with plywood flooring for easy cleaning. Your bunny can enjoy a comfy home with a private toilet compartment with access to a little run to let off some steam.
The full front of the hutch opens up for easy to access to your rabbit and cleaning - the only thing that lets this hutch down is that it's missing that divider that you get with the Kendal Outdoor Rabbit Hutch so you can't contain your bunny to just their hutch area overnight.
Pros
- Robust, sturdy design - protected against the elements, rot and insects
- The full front opens up for easy access
- Spacious for your bunny
Cons
- Missing that divider to prevent your bunny from going downstairs
| Size: | D74 × W194 × H123cm |
| Materials: | Mixed softwood, timber, plywood |
How we chose the best rabbit hutches
All of these rabbit hutches have been hand-selected by our team of Take A Break Pets shopping experts. We carefully considered size, material and overall design in our selection of the best. Our team has spent hours investigating and researching rabbit hutches to make it easier for you to find the very best, and we'd never recommend a product we don't believe in.
With pets big and small on our team, where possible we'll share the best products that have been tried and tested by our own furry friends who have given their paw of approval. And, with help from veterinary experts, we share their knowledge to ensure everything we choose is paw-fect for your pet.
What to look for in a rabbit hutch
Security
Your rabbit’s hutch needs to be secure to not only stop your adventurous bunny from escaping – they love to burrow after all - but to also keep them safe from predators, such as cats and foxes at night. It should be secured properly around the edges, with no gaps (especially from wear and tear over time) and it’s recommended to choose a hutch raised off the ground to help create a greater distance between your bunny and passing wild animals and to prevent them from burrowing out.
Weatherproof
Choosing a sturdy, raised hutch will also prevent it from getting waterlogged and help keep your rabbit’s home as dry as possible, free from any leaks. It’s important to make sure their hutch environment is well ventilated and dry to keep them healthy and comfortable, and it's worth considering introducing extra measures with the changing seasons. For example, in cold and wet weather, you may want to use a hutch cover to keep their home sheltered, or in hot, sunny weather, provide extra cover to prevent direct sunlight from making them too warm.
Our resident vet, Dr Michael Lazaris, said, "Rabbits usually do quite well in cold weather, as long as they have somewhere cosy and dry to take shelter. Provide a small nesting area in the hutch which you can fill with lots of hay, and line the bottom with newspaper for added insulation. In very cold weather you can also cover part of the hutch with blankets and tarpaulin to keep them extra snug (making sure there is adequate ventilation) or you could move them into a shed or unused garage - but they must always have access to an exercise area."
Material
The best material for a rabbit hutch is untreated wood as it’s sturdy, safe, natural, gnaw-proof, and non-toxic. Rabbit hutches will also include wire mesh doors and windows for ventilation, security, and so you can keep an eye on your adorable furry friend.
Another thing you should be mindful of is the material used as the floor of your bunny’s cage. Often when people build their own hutch, they use the wire mesh used on the doors as the flooring too. Whilst this seems like a good idea for ventilation and easy cleaning, it is uncomfortable on your bunny’s feet and can cause sore hocks. For outdoor hutches, having a wooden floor is much more comfortable for your rabbit, though it may be a little harder to clean.
Rabbit hutch FAQs
Does an indoor rabbit need a hutch?
Even if your rabbit lives indoors, it’s still recommended to house them in a large hutch where they can feel safe and secure, or at the very least provide them with a hidey-hole space for them to sleep in. However, unlike outdoor hutches, you won’t need to worry about making their hutch weather or predator-proof.
What should I include in their hutch?
Bedding: Keep your bunny comfy and cosy by providing them with plenty of dry bedding such as newspaper, dust-free straw, and bedding hay. We recommend Burgess Excel Meadow Feeding Hay.
Litter tray and filling: Many rabbit hutches come with a separate compartment ideal for use as a toilet which you can fill with newspaper, straw, or hay to absorb their pee and odour. You might also want to consider putting in a litter tray for easy cleaning, reduced absorbency from the hutch itself, and to use as a designated spot if they don’t have a separate compartment. We recommend the Pets at Home Small Animal Corner Litter Tray.
Food bowl: As well as all the grass they’ll be eating (it’s like having a pet and lawn mower in one!) you need to provide your rabbit with a food bowl for specially formulated nuggets or pellets. Our favourite is the Mason Cash Lettered Rabbit Bowl.
Water bottle: You need to provide your rabbit with a constant supply of water, so a water bottle is a must. The most popular type of water bottle is one that ties onto the wire mesh of their hutch, easy for you to top up with fresh water. We've been using the Classic Crystal Deluxe 'Midi' Drinking Bottle for years.
Winter hutch cover: In the colder seasons, you might want to protect your bunny from the elements with a hutch cover to help keep them warm and dry.
Toys: You may want to pop a couple of toys into their hutch to keep them stimulated, but this is more of a recommendation for their run or the garden when they’re out getting their daily exercise. This could include tunnels, gnaw sticks, and balls.
How to clean a rabbit hutch
Rabbits are clean animals; they’re constantly washing their paws and faces, something that’s so cute it’s sure to get an ‘aww’ out of even the most reluctant of pet owners. So, if you want to keep them happy and healthy, you need to keep their hutch clean and tidy too.
Here's a handy guide to cleaning your rabbit's hutch from Katie'sPetLife:
Eleanor Weaver is the Deputy Homes & Garden Product Editor for Take A Break Pets, specialising in small pets. Having been a pet-parent to bunnies and hamsters, she knows just how to care for these little fluffs as well as making sure pets of all sizes are happy and healthy.