Exercise for your Bunny?
I am going to start out by saying that I fall into the camp that believes it's important for your bunny to get exercise - on a regular basis. Yes, they are tiny. Yes, they sit a lot and like small places. Yes, it is possible for them to live in a large cage. But don't they have legs that can jump for a reason? Don't they need exercise to stay healthy?
Please understand that I put that belief to action, and always have. I watched my first few bunnies binky while playing in a pen, and just couldn't stand the thought of having them stuck in a cage day after day. It's easy to say, harder to do. When you are facing space challenges, bad weather and a whole rabbitry (for me the numbers hovered around 15-20), that's a big commitment. It means stopping what you are doing several times a day to put bunnies out in a pen, or put bunnies back. It's not something breeders normally do, especially when they keep herds of 30-50 rabbits.
However, space and time are two luxuries almost every pet owner has - whether that consists of the living room, a screened in porch, the kitchen, the basement, or a pen. Just an hour or two every day or every other day will do wonders for your bunny. Exercise achieves several things:
1. Promotes a strong immune system
2. Expends energy that might otherwise be used to destroy things
3. Is enjoyable and makes your bunny happy
4. Presents better opportunities for bonding with your bunny
5. Promotes better digestion
6. Helps your bunny's body optimize their wake/sleep cycles
So, what if it's not as easy for you as opening up the cage door and letting your bunny out for a couple hours on most evenings while you are home. My suggestion is to get a pen. My personal favorite is the Iris Pet Pen They come in several colors and can be purchased on Chewy, Amazon, Walmart, etc. While they come as 8-panels, you can buy 2 panel additions if you want to make it bigger. They are high enough to keep MOST bunnies in. Here are some ideas for using them.
Bodhi is pictured here with quite a set-up.
* Use it as an extension to your bunny's cage by setting it up around the cage. If the distance between the cage and floor is high, add a ramp (a piece of wood covered in carpet works great), or even large drainage pipe (that would function like a tunnel), or stairs made of boxes, to make the distance navigable for your bunny going both ways. Whatever you use, make sure that it is stable and secure for your bunny's safety. This is a great option if your schedule is inconsistent. It also gives your bunny access to food, water, and it's bed when needed.
* Use it outside. My bunnies always loved time outside in the grass. They liked to stand and sniff the wind, eat the grass and watch the birds and squirrels. We had a special section that wasn't sprayed or fertilized, where we set them up. Because we had high winds on occasion, and plenty of red hawks, we had to secure the pens. We used tent stakes to make sure they stayed on the ground and didn't blow over. We used tarps cut to fit so that the top was completely covered and two sides went all the way to the ground for shade. The other two sides were held in place with Gorilla tape or string tied through the grommets, and only went over the top edge. I usually added a cardboard box for additional shade from the sun or protection from roaming neighborhood cats.
* Use it inside your garage or basement. The nice thing about garages and basements (provided they are clean) is that they don't use up your living space and can typically stand a little more wear and tear. If you choose this route, consider adding a water bottle to the cage to alleviate concern over hydration. Adding a litter box, or box of hay can keep the mess down, and also give your bunny something to eat. Finally, consider adding a pillow or carpet square for your bunny's comfort and to ensure that it doesn't become chilled in cooler weather.
One last thing. While space to run is important, blank space is intimidating and boring. If your bunny has an empty space to exercise, expect to see it sitting in the corner before too long. In order to encourage your bunny to run, jump and play, toss in a few boxes or obstacles. Add a tunnel or some toys.
It's truly amazing what regular exercise can do for a bunny, for their attitude and it's relationship with you. Definitely worth the investment!