A rabbit requires a resting area and an exercise area. Your rabbit's resting area should have at least two compartments. A darkened sheltered area for sleeping away from noise and another for eating/relaxing.
However, even if it is not necessary, it may be beneficial for your rabbit to cover the cage at night. Some rabbits are so sensitive that they have a hard time being quiet in the dark. Additional protection in the form of a towel or blanket over the cage can help.
In the event of an emergency, you may need to leave your rabbit alone overnight. Most rabbits will be fine. Your pet will not like it, especially if she does not have a companion. Before you leave your rabbit, ensure that you have taken all necessary care steps.
For indoor pet rabbits, bedding is not necessary to include in your rabbit's habitat as long as your rabbit has access to soft flooring. Outdoor rabbits will require bedding for insulation to help them stay warm in the night and during the cold months of the year.
Rabbits don't have the same sleep cycles as humans. On average, a person will get 8 hours of sleep a night. Rabbits on the other hand will wake up periodically during the night and catch up on sleep during the day. They have to be awake at night in order to stay alert against attacks from predators.
Rabbits can handle the cold very well as they usually have thick fur and pads on their feet, but strong winds and damp environments can make them very uncomfortable. Their hutch should be dry and warm, and there are many things you can do to ensure this.
Give Them Daily Roaming Time
To keep your rabbit happy and healthy, let it out of its cage at least once a day, giving it time to roam. Though at least one hour is necessary, aim closer to three or four. As a rule, never keep your rabbit cooped up for 24 hours at a time.
As rabbits doze from mid-morning until early evening, they do not necessarily need darkness to sleep. A rabbit will judge their sleep schedule by their energy levels. If they're exhausted, they'll flop down and fall asleep. Despite this, it's crucial that rabbits enjoy a balance of darkness and light.
Rabbits are very sensitive to stress and excessive light or darkness can have significant negative health effects. It's best to consult with a veterinarian about maintaining the proper crepuscular schedule rabbits need.
Left with enough hay and water they can be left home alone safely while you are at work. Leaving them longer than 10–12 hours is dangerous. If their water bottle becomes blocked, they dump a bowl of water or if they run out of edible hay all puts the bunny at risk of GI Stasis.
So if you are looking for ways how to make a rabbit sleep at night, you must turn off all the bulbs, lamps, or LEDs just before bedtime. You should also keep the windows of the rabbit's room curtained till their waking hours. This will prevent any extra light to come into the rabbit's room and disturb their sleep.
A rabbit's bedding must keep them safe, comfortable, and warm. Rabbits often eat their bedding, so it cannot be toxic. Shredded paper, Aspen shreds, specialist litter or pellets, and hay are all safe options.
Rabbits prefer temperatures of about 60–65 degrees Fahrenheit, but they are comfortable in lower temperatures as long as they are appropriately housed. An outdoor rabbit hutch must be waterproof and should have a solid roof with a slight overhang to keep rain and snow out of the hutch.
They can doze off at any time of the day if the mood strikes them. They usually take one in the middle of the day, between noon and two. This is the time of day when they are most tired and need to rest. They may do longer or shorter ones depending on their activity level and what they have eaten.
How much sleep do rabbits need? Studies have found that rabbits will get around eight and a half hours of sleep in a day on average. However, a rabbit that feels very safe and comfortable in their home environment will often get even more sleep (closer to 12 hours a day).
Bunnies don't sleep at night and stay up during the day like humans do, either. They are crepuscular. Yup, there's that word again! It means they're most active at dusk and dawn.
Rabbits are social animals, so a single rabbit is likely to feel lonely and depressed. Rabbits can live alone, but you'll need to provide your pet with the attention (company, petting, grooming, exercise, playing, and enrichment) that a bonded rabbit partner would provide.
At a minimum, you should spend at least an hour with your rabbit every day. However, 3-5 hours (or even more) are ideal. You do not have to be giving your rabbit undivided attention during this time, but instead, make yourself available to interact with them if they want to.
The signs of an unhappy rabbit
Pulling at their fur and over-grooming - or not grooming at all. A change in feeding or toilet habits. Drinking a lot more. Repeated circling or pacing up and down.
Your rabbits need deep bedding of shavings or Megazorb under their bed of plenty of straw. Straw is warmer than hay because it's hollow and provides more insulation. Buy good-quality soft straw that's not spiky or dusty, such as barley straw.
In the wild, rabbits live in big groups and they enjoy being with friends who will play with them, groom them, understand them and look out for them. So if these sociable animals are kept on their own, they may become bored, depressed, and very lonely.
Top 10 tips to keep rabbits cool in summer
A fan can be used to keep the air cool and create airflow, however, do not blow the fan directly onto the rabbits and ensure they have enough room to move away if they wish.
During the day, rabbits like to sleep in their burrow, in depressions of grass or in their cages. Sometimes you may see your rabbit sleeping in her litter box. This is perfectly normal, and you can make it more comfortable by using a good, soft paper-type litter such as Carefresh.
Blankets can also keep a rabbit warm, and protect her paws. Some rabbit cages can have tough, metal floors. This can lead to sore hocks. A blanket or towel can prevent this from happening.