How to Begin Free Roaming
Free roaming a pet rabbit is happily becoming a growing trend. However suddenly giving a rabbit full free roam is not the way to go. This is not only frightening to the rabbit, but it will actually foster multiple problems that both rabbit and owner will have to fix/unlearn/deal with.
FREE ROAMING SHOULD BEGIN WITH CONFINEMENT IN A CAGE OR PEN
If you are planning to get a new rabbit with the intention of free roaming him, you’ll still need a cage for starters. Be sure it is large enough to hold a decent size litter box, and still have plenty of additional lounging space. Understand that it is terrifying for a new rabbit to move to a new home (as explained here). Bringing one home and immediately allowing him to start roaming the house will only make him more frightened and take longer to get settled in. The easiest and fastest way for him to de-stress and get acclimated to his new environment is for him to be placed in a roomy secure cage in whatever part of the home will eventually be his roaming area. |
As prey animals, rabbits like safety over adventure. Feeling safe is their first concern. Once they’ve acclimated to their new home and feel safe, then they will enjoy exploring further. So when first brought home, a rabbit should be placed in his cage and remain in there, undisturbed, for 48 hours -- minimum. Only pellets, hay or water should be refilled as needed. Do not reach in to pet him, but do talk to him so he gets to know your voice.
This process allows him to get used to the new sounds, sights, and smells of his new home in the safety of his new cage. It will become his safe haven. He will quickly learn that in this particular area (his cage) he is not disturbed. This is why he should not be petted inside the cage. It should be his safe haven.
At the same time, being confined encourages him to use – and claim – his litter box as his. The litter box should not be cleaned during these early days so that he will recognize his own scent in there. Litter training is necessary if he is going to free roam!!
This process allows him to get used to the new sounds, sights, and smells of his new home in the safety of his new cage. It will become his safe haven. He will quickly learn that in this particular area (his cage) he is not disturbed. This is why he should not be petted inside the cage. It should be his safe haven.
At the same time, being confined encourages him to use – and claim – his litter box as his. The litter box should not be cleaned during these early days so that he will recognize his own scent in there. Litter training is necessary if he is going to free roam!!
[If you already have a rabbit that has been caged, but now want to free roam, the above basics should already be met -- Bunny should already be used to his cage and be consistently using the litter box. If not, be sure to complete litter training before proceeding.]
ONCE ACCLIMATED TO A CAGE OR PEN, THE FREE ROAM PROCESS CAN BEGIN… IN A LIMITED AREA
Now you are ready to begin the process of free-roaming.
Your caged and litter trained rabbit is ready to take his first steps toward free-roaming!
Your caged and litter trained rabbit is ready to take his first steps toward free-roaming!
STEP ONE BEGINS after bunny is used to his cage and is litter trained.
Now open the cage door and allow the rabbit to come out in this limited space when and if he desires. Do not force him out. Some rabbits will explore immediately. Others won’t hop out for days, possibly longer. Do this daily for several hours each time, whether or not he chooses to come out. |
Once he has been coming out to explore for a week or so, expand his area a little larger. Put items in the area for him to investigate – tunnels, toys, cardboard boxes with doorways. If you sit in the area, you may want to have a sprig of cilantro to hand-feed (assuming he’s old enough for greens, otherwise you can handfeed his pellet food). Be sure the area is bunny-proofed.
As before, allow him hours of access each day to explore this newly expanded space. After another period of time, expand again and continue doing so in increments, over time. Eventually, he will have full roam of whatever areas you allow. |
Things to consider with free roaming...
Some people enjoy having bunny free-roaming throughout the day. However, they prefer to have the bunny secure in a cage during the night. This can be a wise idea for both the rabbit’s sake and yours. If bunny gets trapped somewhere while exploring or gets past a barricade, you’re more likely to notice when you are awake during the day. Rabbits are known to suddenly find interest in something that they previously ignored. So no amount of bunny-proofing should be considered 100%.
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If you choose to limit the times when bunny is free-roaming, then you’ll need to be able to get him back into his cage. Some have had success training their rabbit to return on command. Others have found alternative means. What one should never do is scoop up the rabbit and physically place him back in his cage. Doing so will quickly turn into a game of ‘chase and catch’ which will damage your bond with your rabbit. For ways to get him back to his cage, check here (scroll down when redirected). |
Free roaming doesn’t have to mean that bunny has access to every part of the home.
It may be just one room, or a room and a hallway, or a few rooms—whatever you decide.
It may be just one room, or a room and a hallway, or a few rooms—whatever you decide.
If you decide to free roam 24/7, bunny will still need a base for litter box, hay, & water dish. This can be out in the open or it can be in a cage with the door left open. There is the occasional rabbit that seems fine without a home base enclosure, but most rabbits will appreciate having an actual enclosure to call their own. The photo shows a home base cage surrounded with plexiglass. It has an open airy look but still (clearly) provides a measure of comfort for the buns—a place they know is exclusively theirs. (photo was snapped right after cleaning but just before hay was added) |
As bunny gets more accustomed to having free roam, he'll enjoy exploring any available location.
It also provides him opportunity to seek you out as well - one of the endearing benefits of having a rabbit free roam!
It also provides him opportunity to seek you out as well - one of the endearing benefits of having a rabbit free roam!
Don't forget to bunny-proof wherever bunny is allowed to roam!
Rabbits can get into all kinds of mischief if an area isn't made safe for both bunny and your belongings. Check out how to bunny-proof by clicking on the button.
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