Is your rabbit a little escape artist? A rabbit outside its playpen can wreak havoc, and can even get into dangerous things like cords or chemicals, so it’s vital to learn how you can keep your rabbit safely inside its pen.
you can put a cover or roof over your rabbit’s playpen to prevent it from jumping out. for even cleverer rabbits, you’ll want to use a padlock to keep any latches shut tight. in the event that your rabbit does escape its playpen, it’s best to rabbit-proof any cords or other dangerous or breakable items.
If you feel like you’ve tried everything and your rabbit is still escaping, don’t worry! Read on to find the best methods to keep your rabbit in its playpen, as well as one extra tip that will make both you and your rabbit happy.
Method One: Use a Cover or Roof
Most rabbit pens are only a few feet high, but fully grown rabbits can make an impressive vertical leap of up to five feet! So, if your rabbit is constantly escaping its playpen, the first thing you’ll want to do is make sure your rabbit can’t get out the top.
Some playpen manufacturers actually sell covers that will fit your playpen perfectly. If your playpen doesn’t come with its own custom cover, however, you can easily make one on your own. You can fasten a blanket or tarp using zip ties, velcro, or even safety pins to the top of your rabbit’s playpen.
Another alternative is a solid plank made of wood or some other sturdy, heavy material. Just make sure it’s secure so that there’s no chance of it sliding down or even falling on top of your rabbit!
Method Two: Keep All Latches Secure
The smartest of bunnies sometimes learn how to open latches, so even covered pens aren’t enough to keep them from escaping. Padlocks, zip ties, and clasps can all be used to keep doors shut while you’re away, and prevent your rabbit from making any unwanted escapades around the house.
Method Three: Purchase a Sturdier Playpen
A particularly determined rabbit might be able to knock the playpen over if it’s light enough. Cheaper playpens have wide bar spacing, which some rabbits can easily slip through. If your rabbit knocks over your playpen easily, you’ll want to invest in a sturdier playpen. For especially wily rabbits, you might want to consider getting a large kennel, instead.
Method Four: Give Your Rabbit More Enrichment
Rabbits are intelligent creatures that need a lot of stimulation to keep from getting bored. Being cooped up in a small playpen all day isn’t easy, so it’s no wonder they love to escape so much! An occupied rabbit is far less likely to want to escape its enclosure.
One way you can provide more enrichment for your rabbit is to make a dig box. You can fill a small box with wadded up paper, straw, and other interesting materials, then sprinkle in some treats. This is a great way to stimulate your rabbit’s natural desire for digging, and give it something to do besides coming up with new ways to escape.
A similar (albeit messier) strategy is to fill a large basin with sand. Sandpits are a favorite of rabbits, but if you have any qualms about keeping the carpet clean, then this might not be the best idea for you.
It’s also important to provide a couple of hides for your rabbit. These prey animals have a natural instinct to rest in sheltered places, and your rabbit might feel insecure in its playpen if it doesn’t have any tunnels or places to hide. Even something as simple as a cardboard box with a couple of holes in it is enough to help a rabbit feel safer!
Overall, you should brainstorm more exciting materials and sensations you can provide your rabbit while it’s in its playpen. Rabbits need plenty of things to chew, shred, and tear to keep from getting bored. If your rabbit has lots of fun toys and things to destroy, then it’ll be far less likely to escape its playpen!
Method Five: Let Your Rabbit Outside the Playpen
Finally, you might want to remove your rabbit’s playpen altogether. This is a very personal choice for owners, and it won’t work for everyone, but some rabbit owners find that the best arrangement is to let their rabbit roam the house. Even having a dedicated room for your rabbit to run around in is better than keeping them in a small playpen.
Of course, in order to let your rabbit roam free, you’ll need to rabbit-proof everything. Cords should be tucked out of sight, or protected with PVC so your rabbit can’t bite through them. Tape or wood can be used to protect baseboards, and all houseplants should be kept far out of reach.
Rabbits love to dig and chew carpet, so keeping it confined to rooms with hardwood or tile floors will be better for your home. You can use baby gates to prevent your rabbit from going into rooms where it’s not allowed.
Finally, you’ll want to litter-train your rabbit. Rabbits are highly intelligent, and can be litter-trained quite easily. Make sure to keep plenty of hay by the litter box, as rabbits prefer to do their business while they’re eating.
Free-roam rabbits aren’t an ideal option for everyone, especially if you have dogs, cats, or other pets. However, if you have the time and patience it takes to bunny-proof your home, both you and your rabbit might end up happier in the long run!
Final Thoughts
Rabbits are curious creatures that need to explore, dig, chew, and tear to be satisfied, so they tend to be experts at escaping boring playpens. To prevent your little escape artist from roaming around the house, you’ll want a sturdy playpen or cage with a cover on top, and you may have to padlock or zip tie some of the latches. Providing your rabbit with plenty of enrichment and fun things to do will also make your rabbit less likely to escape. Finally, you might choose to let your rabbit roam free in a secure, rabbit-proof room.
