The first thing you will need to purchase for your pet rabbit is a quality wooden rabbit hutch. The smaller hutches found in a lot of pet shops are very small, measuring only 30-36 inches in length. These are far too small for even the smallest of breeds.

However, here at ideas-4-pets we have a selection of quality wooden rabbit hutches in much bigger sizes and these are much more suitable for housing rabbits.

Rabbit hutches should have an enclosed sleeping area with a bunny door for easy access. This is necessary so that the rabbit can find some peace and privacy to sleep and also to provide shelter from weather conditions if kept outside. The hutch should also provide a larger living area with a wooden roof, back and sides and a wire mesh front. Try and find a hutch that states that it has fox-proof wire as this will help to protect your pet from harm.

If your intention is to house your rabbit permanently outside it is important that the rabbit hutch you choose has a sloping waterproof roof so that the rain water runs off the roof and the wood does not soak up the water and become damp and cold when the weather is bad.

You can choose a rabbit hutch with an under-run which is accessed via a ramp and which can be closed off at night.

There are also rabbit hutches with a wooden framed extension run. These have wire mesh sides and no floor and these types of rabbit hutches are intended to be placed on the grass so that your rabbit has free access to a grassy area where he can graze, play and exercise his legs.

If you intend to have more than one rabbit, there are two and three storey rabbit hutches available, each with its own sleeping area and living area .

It’s a good idea to look for a hutch that has a waterproof coating on for hygiene cleaning purposes. Frequent cleaning is always essential to ensure that the rabbit hutch is hygienic and free from smells.

Change your rabbit’s water daily so he always has access to fresh, clean water and feed him a good diet using quality rabbit food with the occasional treat - your vet will advise you on this.

Place rabbit-friendly toys in the hutch so that your rabbit is stimulated and will not get bored when alone and most importanly give your time to your rabbit - he loves company and will need to get used to plenty of handling and plenty of play time.