This is a specific conversation about Rabbit housing — space and setup that works — ask about yours and get one honest answer for your exact situation.
inparticular.ai
Most rabbit hutches sold in pet shops are far too small — rabbits need space to do at least three full hops, stand fully upright on their hind legs, and have separate areas for sleeping and toileting. Before we get into what your vet has recommended, it would help to know: are you keeping your rabbit indoors or outdoors, is it just the one rabbit, and how much space do you have available for a run?
Outdoors, just the one rabbit — a New Zealand White. The vet said he's too sedentary and his gut motility is suffering for it. We have a decent sized garden but haven't got a proper run set up yet.
inparticular.ai
That's a really common issue with New Zealand Whites — they're a large, heavy breed and they can become quite inactive if their housing doesn't actively encourage movement. Gut stasis is a serious risk when they're not moving enough, so your vet is right to flag it. Can I ask — does he currently have a hutch, or are you starting from scratch with the whole setup?
He has a hutch already, it's probably not big enough if I'm honest. We just need a run we can attach to it or use separately in the garden so he gets a proper daily exercise session.
inparticular.ai
Got it. For a New Zealand White specifically, you need a run that's long enough for genuine binkying and sprinting — not just a small pen where he shuffles about. The one I'd point you to is the Omlet Eglu Go Rabbit Run. It's 2 metres long, strong enough to resist foxes, has a draught-resistant cover, and crucially it can be used freestanding on the lawn or connected directly to a hutch. It's also easy to move around the garden so he gets fresh grass, which itself encourages foraging behaviour and keeps the gut moving. For a large breed rabbit with a specific vet instruction around motility, this is the right level of space and security.
Is 2 metres enough for a big rabbit though? He's about 4.5kg.
inparticular.ai
It's the minimum I'd accept for a rabbit his size, and it will absolutely improve things compared to hutch-only living — but if budget allows, Omlet also sell a 2-metre run extension that clips straight on, taking it to 4 metres total. For a rabbit with a diagnosed motility issue, the longer option would be better. That said, even the base 2-metre run used daily will make a real difference. The key is that he's in it every single day, not just when the weather's nice — gut motility responds to consistent movement, not occasional access.
That makes sense. I'll look at the extension too. Is there anything else I should be doing alongside the run?
inparticular.ai
Yes — make sure he always has unlimited timothy hay, because the chewing motion itself aids gut motility almost as much as physical exercise does. Hiding his pellets around the run rather than putting them in a bowl also encourages him to move. And keep fresh water available in the run while he's out. Between daily run access, high hay intake, and a bit of foraging enrichment, you should see a real improvement. Your vet will likely want a follow-up to check, so keep note of his droppings — size and consistency are the best day-to-day indicator that his gut is working properly.
