How to Set Up an Indoor Rabbit Pen

Setting up an indoor rabbit pen can help you take care of your pets in a safe environment and make them happier at your home.

However, this process can become very tedious and complicated if you need help understanding how to do it properly and follow these simple steps from start to finish.

1. Choose The Right Enclosure

The first step is to choose the proper enclosure that allows your rabbits to move around freely and play for hours without feeling bored.

On average, the enclosure for your indoor rabbit pen should have four times the actual size of your pet as a bare minimum, but in most cases, they are going to need more space than you think.

For normal-sized rabbits, It is recommended to make it between 24 to 36 inches long, and for larger species like the English Lop Rabbit or the Flemish Giants, you need to make it bigger, up to 120 inches.

If you currently have multiple rabbits, you may need to multiply the size of your enclosure by the number of pets you own and have that as a baseline when shopping for a new one.

You also have to compare the different types of enclosures you like to buy for your rabbits based on the materials and the budget you have available.

If you only have a little money available, you should pick a plastic enclosure that is more affordable and easy to use. The only downside is that your pet may chew the plastic and escape from the indoor rabbit pen.

The other alternative is to select something more sturdy, like a Clearly Loved Pets pet pen. Our pens are made to last for many years and are resistant to bites from your rabbits. We have a variety of pet pens that work well for rabbits, and we are more than happy to recommend the best option for your situation.

2. Get Your Supplies

The next step on the list is to get all the supplies you need to set up the indoor rabbit pen and include any other elements your rabbit may want to use when living in your home.

The main supplies you will need are the bedding for your rabbit and the litter box where he can evacuate without making a mess on your floor.

You can also get other supplies that can help you take better care of your rabbit, like a pellet dish, a water bottle, and more.

Flooring

You first need to add popper flooring in the area where you want to set up your indoor rabbit pen.

In this case, you can select carpeted flooring that prevents rabbits from digging into the floor and helps avoid urine stains.

You can also rely on hardwood or slick flooring since they offer excellent traction for your pets and are great for preventing injuries.

Then, you can lay some towels, foam mats, a cheap rug, or even cardboard boxes over the surface of your indoor rabbit pen to make your pet more comfortable. 

Bedding

When choosing the bedding for your rabbit, you can use several options depending on the season. But in most cases, you will need high-quality paper bedding since its organic materials are not harmful to your pet.

You also need to check if the rabbit bedding is highly absorbent to moist and can reduce the odor to a minimum every time you shop for a new one.

However, it is recommended that you have straw bedding as well since it can help them stay insulated from the cold temperatures during winter until spring comes again.

Litter Box

The litter box is another essential supply for your indoor rabbit pen because of its usefulness when cleaning after your pet and avoiding unwanted smells lingering inside your home.

All you need to do is select which type of litter is more beneficial for your rabbit and provide the best prices on the market.

The cheapest option available is shredded paper since you can make it by yourself, and it is safe to use around rabbits. However, this option does not restrain the odor well and has a low absorption capacity.

The next option everyone uses is wood pellet litter because it is affordable and provides decent odor control for your rabbit, unlike shredded paper.

You can also try other expensive options that provide better benefits overall, like aspen shavings or paper pellets, to see which one you like the most.

Food Bowl

Your rabbit will also need a food bowl where you can place different pellets that satisfy your pet's appetite and provide all the nutrients it needs to stay healthy for many years.

For rabbits with seven months or less, you must use alfalfa pellets since they are rich in calcium and many other nutrients that are required during the growth process of your pet.

For adult rabbits, you must change their diet to hay pellets that are easier to digest since they don't contain harmful additives and come with more grass ingredients than grains.

It is also recommended that you acquire a food dispenser that allows your pet to eat at any time of the day when it's hungry without having to serve the food yourself.

Water Container

Another supply you need for your indoor rabbit pen is a water container that allows your pet to stay hydrated during the whole day.

These containers tend to come in the shape of a water bottle with a small straw attached at the bottom, which helps the rabbit drink water easier when thirsty.

You also need to get a bottle holder to secure the water in one place and prevent your rabbit from knowing it down by accident.

If you don't want to buy a water bottle, you can get a water bowl instead. However, your rabbit could make a mess by jumping into it and pouring the water into the floor when drinking from the bowl.

Pet Toys

After you take care of all the previous supplies, you can decide if you want to buy your rabbit one of several toys so it can play around with them.

Among the most popular options are chewing toys, playing balls, foraging mats, activity tables, puzzle boards, digging toys, and many others available on the internet.

However, the go-to option that many rabbits prefer is chewing toys since they like to bite many objects in their environment.

You can also buy digging toys since rabbits tend to dig holes in the ground when they are stressed or their instincts compel them to do it.

It is also recommended that you try a couple of different toys since each rabbit has a unique preference and may like to play around with other toys.

3. Pick a Perfect Spot

After you decide on the size of your indoor rabbit pen and choose the supplies your pet needs, you must select the perfect spot where everything is going to be located.

During this step, you must ensure the spot you pick provides the best benefits regarding ventilation, freedom, and overall security for your pets.

Some places you should avoid when picking a spot for your indoor rabbit pen include the main living room, any bedrooms where people sleep, and basements with a lot of moisture or dust in the air.

You must also avoid places with direct sunlight since they could be dangerous for your pet in the long run and have high noise levels that could scare them easily.

This is why one of the best spots you can use for your indoor rabbit pen is the corners of a quiet room where they can play without fear of messing around with the place.

4. Set Everything Up

Once you have done all the previous steps, you can proceed to set everything up and finish your indoor rabbit pen so your pet can start living in its new home.

To do this, you must start by preparing soft flooring where your rabbit can walk around without a problem and avoid having sore hocks after a few days or weeks.

Then, you must place the enclosure for the indoor rabbit pen in the designated area and ensure that everything fits well with the flooring after you put all of it together.

After you have the enclosure already set in place, you can add all the other supplies that your rabbit needs.

For the litter box, you need to place it in one of the corners of the room since rabbits tend to poop around those areas and add a hay rack to help them eat while they are pooping.

You can then place the food bowl and water container in the indoor rabbit pen, ensuring they are far away from the litter box to avoid the poop or urine getting near them when they are eating.

You also have to add all the other supplies for your rabbit, like the bedding where it can sleep after feeling tired, and the toys you brought before to see which one it likes the most.

5. Let Your Rabbit Explore

Finally, after you set everything up in your indoor rabbit pen, you can let your pet explore the area until it feels comfortable enough to live there.

This process could take a couple of hours or days, depending on the rabbit's behavior, the surroundings, and the people interacting with it.

After your pet stays in the indoor rabbit pen for a few days, you can start introducing it to other areas of your home so that it can familiarize itself with the new environment and is not scared to walk into different rooms to play with people.

Remember to take your time during this step and make your rabbit feel as comfortable as possible to get the best results.