The most important thing when selecting your rabbit's abode or condo is to insure that it is large enough that he does not mind spending time there. I recommend not getting him one smaller than 2'X4'. When you get a spacious condo for him to live in, then he will be a happier more contented bun.

When I go away from my home or go to bed at night, I always lock my bunnies inside their condos. This way I know for certain that they are safe and not getting into mischief while I am not there to supervise them. When I am home, they get to come out of their abodes, but they like them so much that often they do not come out for an hour or more after the doors are opened.

This is a sign that my rabbits like being inside their condos and do not mind spending time there. This is because they have a huge two story affair that allows them to sprawl out and get comfortable.

Believe it or not, the smaller the bunny the more room he needs in his condo due to that fact that most of the very small dwarf and mini breeds tend to be high energy and very active bunnies. Do not be fooled into thinking that your small Netherland Dwarf can get by with a tiny plastic and wire abode like you see at pet stores. Those things are too small for a bunny, especially a very active one like a Dwarf.

Your rabbit's abode should be in an area inhabited by the family. Do not tuck them away in a back bedroom or garage. They are social creatures and like being near the action, just like you do. If they are in a place that no one goes, then they are not participating with the family in the day to day activities and living. Part of having a pet is including them in your life, so don't put your rabbit's condo in a place that people rarely go.

Also, make sure that his abode is not in a place near a window that gets hot direct sunlight. Rabbits can get overheated very easily and you want him to be comfortable. The same goes for drafts and cold breezes.

Even though he has a large condo, your rabbit will still need around 3 hours of "run time" or time out to play and hop around each day. This is very important because just like humans, rabbits need daily exercise.

Many people do not like to keep their rabbits inside a cage or condo, so their rabbits live in an X-pen environment. This is a very good option and generally does not cost as much as a large condo.

Be sure to get an X-pen that is tall enough that your rabbit cannot hop out of the enclosure. Some rabbits will not jump out of a short 24 inch pen, while others will easily clear a 36 inch pen. 30-36 inches is good for most rabbits but as you know, they are known for their ability to jump very well and so do not underestimate your little rabbit's jumping skills.

The usual size for an X-pen is six or eight 30 or 36 inch panels. As with bunny condos, bigger is better. The more space you give your rabbit to dwell in, the happier he will be and conversely if you give him too small a pen, it will only frustrate him.

Some folks use a combination of condo and X-pen to house their rabbits. One of my buns has a large X-pen attached to the front of her condo with clips so that she has a run area connected to her condo. She is a high energy bunny who needs the space to keep from becoming bored. If you have a bunny like this, then this is a good option for him.

Still, even with a run area attached to his condo, you will need to get your rabbit out for several hours of "run time" each day. This is mandatory for all rabbits on a daily basis, regardless of the style of housing that you choose for him to live in.

This is the hardest type of living arrangement to set up. Your rabbit's living area must be thoroughly "bunny-proofed" and this is a lot harder than you might think. Every single vunerability will be explored and discovered by your rabbit. Just when you think that you have covered all your bases, your bunny will find the flaw in your bunny-proofing.

Free-run buns do not live inside pens or condos and will live inside the house like a dog or a cat would, going and doing what he wants. Many bunny lovers believe that this is the best way to house a rabbit but it is also the most difficult to achieve.

Not all rabbits are good candidates for this style of living because if your rabbit is a prolific chewer or digger, you may find all of your belongings and furniture being destroyed from chewing. All the lower cabinets and shelves are at risk for your rabbit's exploration and if you have toxic household cleaners or precious items you do not want chewed or broken, then they will need to be made secure or safely removed.

Be aware that anything left within your rabbit's reach is fair game for his teeth. Rabbits make toys out of the silliest things and your new pair of slippers may become toys with permanent teeth marks in them if he decides that he likes them. This must always be considered when leaving anything within his area.

Things like foil, plastic objects, carpet fibers, and metal are undigestable if chewed and swallowed. These kind of things can cause serious obstructions and injury if chewed on by your rabbit. You should take special care to make sure that they never can chew or swallow these kind of things when you have a free-run bun.