Rabbits might not look like they need much exercise, but in the wild rabbits are naturally very active, spending lots of time foraging, digging and roaming around large areas of countryside! Our pet rabbits need just as much exercise and stimulation as their wild cousins do to keep them happy and healthy.

In this guide, Everypaw has teamed up with veterinary experts Vetstream to bring you all you need to know about just how much exercise your bunny should get. We also cover the best ways of providing the everyday stimulation they need to prevent boredom and other health problems.

Does My Rabbit Need Exercise?

Yes! All rabbits need plenty of exercise to keep them fit and healthy.

If you have a house rabbit, they probably get a good bit of exercise hopping about the house. But even if you have an indoor rabbit letting them have free range outside to run around in the garden a couple of times every day for extra exercise time would be ideal. In the garden they can dig, explore and eat grass which allows them to display more natural behaviours.

If your rabbit is kept in a cage, exercise is even more important. Firstly, an outdoor rabbit must have a cage that is big enough for them. They should also have free access to an enclosed exercise pen or run all the time. This means they can stretch their legs and have a run and leap around whenever they feel the need.

With both indoor and outdoor bunnies you need to make sure that their exercise area is rabbit proof and secure. Electrical wires and other potential hazards need to be kept out of the way indoors. When your bun is outdoors, make sure there aren’t any poisonous plants within reach and other pets, or wildlife can’t get to them so they can roam around safely.

How Much Exercise Does My Rabbit Need?

Bunnies need lots of exercise. Exercise is so important for their muscles and to burn off fat. It also prevents boredom which can lead to all sorts of behavioural and health problems. Tips to prevent boredom include providing your bunny with lots of toys to play with, chew toys and places to run, play and hide in.

Letting your bun outside for a free run around for a couple of hours twice a day should be enough for them to let off some steam and enjoy some fun time. Spending some time playing with your rabbit, throwing toys and hiding treats will give them lots of fun and exercise.

Allowing your rabbit outdoors also allows them to express some of the natural behaviours they would normally perform in the wild. As well as a great way to get them exercising, this will make your bunny feel very happy and content.

Exercise doesn’t have to be an ‘outdoor’ only event though. There are plenty of games and fun you can have with your bunny indoors too. So, even if you haven’t got access to a garden, there’s no excuse for your bunny not to get plenty of daily exercise.

How Should I Exercise My Rabbit?

1. Ramps to run up and down: some simple ramps for your bunnies to explore will get them exercising without them even realising.
2. Tunnels to run through: rabbits naturally love to burrow and run along tunnels. Giving them a network of tunnels for them to explore will be great fun for them.
3. Buckets to play in: fill a bucket full of hay for them to jump in and out of. You can even hide healthy treats in there so they can spend time foraging for them.
4. Cardboard boxes to jump on to: rabbits are experts at jumping, so providing boxes for them to jump on to is a great form or exercise.
5. Toys to throw around: toys that your bun can get hold of and throw around or chew will provide plenty of stimulation too. Make sure any toys you provide are safe for your bun.
6. Earth box or patch of garden for digging in: rabbits LOVE to dig and they’re really good at it too. If your bunny hasn’t got the luxury of a garden to dig in, provide them with an earth box for digging in. This will provide them with hours of fun and exercise.
7. Hide and seek treats: hide healthy treats around your rabbit’s exercise area so they have to run around to find them. This is a great game for them to play while providing plenty of exercise.

Health Benefits for You and Your Rabbit

Exercise is good for us all. If your rabbit gets plenty of daily exercise they should live long, happy and healthy lives. Not only is exercise good for their health, but it’s also a great way to prevent boredom and cheeky behaviour.

As bunny owners, we all want our pets to be fit and happy, and exercise is the name of the game!

Everypaw Rabbit Insurance

Here at Everypaw, we want to help you keep your bunny healthy and in tip top shape. So, when it comes to your young rabbit’s care, Everypaw’s Rabbit Insurance could be just the cover to look after your little thumper.

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Content provided from Vetstream's Vetlexicon Lapis – www.vetlexicon.com/treat/lapis

Vetlexicon is the world’s largest peer-reviewed online clinical reference source. All our content is written and peer-reviewed by over 1,000 of the world’s leading veterinarians, ensuring relevance, accuracy and quality.