Letting Your Rabbit Dig in the Backyard

Domesticated rabbits are very closely related to wild rabbits. Therefore their natural urge is to be outside and explore their world, above and below ground. You shouldn't discourage this instinct in your pet bunny! If you are fortunate enough to have a decent sized backyard with soil for digging, then this article will provide you with the basic do's and don't's of letting your rabbit dig in the backyard.

Nearly every rabbit has an intense passion for digging. Even a spayed or neutered rabbit retains the instinct to dig. This can be partially explained by the instincts of their wild rabbit cousins, who dig burrows in the wild to protect them from predators and to serve as a safe place to raise their young. It is fine to let your rabbit dig in the backyard if you don't mind the mess it makes, but you should be careful. Rabbit tunnels can go far and deep. There is a possibility that your rabbit may dig its way under the fence and into a neighbor's backyard or to somewhere outside of your property. There is also the risk that your rabbit's tunnel system will become so deep and complex that you are unable to reach your rabbit inside of it.

This can be a major problem if your rabbit decides that he likes his self-made den better than his hutch. Suddenly you will find that you are unable to get him out of there! There are two separate solutions to this problem. The first is to allow your rabbit to dig in a certain designated area that you have designed to prevent your rabbit from digging too far. You can line an area with wiring or wooden planks or some other medium to exact this effect. Another method is to fill up your rabbit's holes shortly after he digs them. This will prevent the holes from growing too large and too complex.

Letting your rabbit dig around in the backyard is a great way to keep him happy and provide him with some exercise. Just remember the preceding precautions and your pet rabbit will be digging away happily and safely in no-time.