With an overactive rabbit, you might have trouble getting sleep. They might start rattling the bars and chewing on them, and even bouncing around when all you want to do is get some much-needed shuteye. It can be annoying to hear your rabbit rumbling in their cage, so you wonder what to do to calm them down.
But should you cover a rabbit cage at night or not? We’ll give you an answer, and we’ll also give you some additional tips to make sure your bunny doesn’t rumble all night.
Here are some of the things we’ll cover:
- Should I cover my indoor rabbit’s cage at night?
- Do rabbits like blankets over their cage?
- when are rabbits most active?
- How do you keep rabbits quiet at night?
- How many hours a day should a rabbit be out of its cage?
- Do rabbits like to sleep in the dark?
Should I Cover My Indoor Rabbits Cage at Night?
It can be a good idea to cover your rabbit’s cage, even if you have an indoor rabbit that’s protected from any outside dangers. If you cover their cage you will give your rabbit an extra feeling of protection, which they usually love. It can also protect them from the cold.
Many people cover the rabbit’s cage simply so their pet doesn’t see everything that’s going on in the room. This way, they don’t get nervous whenever they see movement, from you or another pet, or even behind your window.
Some bunnies are so sensitive that they find it hard to be calm in the dark. An extra layer of protection in the form or a towel or blanket over their cage can do the trick.
Covering the cage can be the best way to ensure your rabbit can calm down at night. When there’s nothing better to do than sleep, they’ll find it easier to wind down.
Just be sure to only cover it when they’re sleeping, and leave room for ventilation. The best thing you can do is to only cover the sides of the cage, and leave the top open.
Here’s how you should go about covering your rabbit’s cage:
- Only use the blanket for sleeping.
- Make sure they don’t panic.
- Leave some room for air.
- Maintain outdoor rabbits warm.
Only Use the Blanket for Sleeping
You might be tempted to cover the cage sometime during the day, especially if your rabbit is sleeping, but it’s best to leave it uncovered. Only use the blanket when both you and your rabbit will be sleeping. Otherwise, they may miss all the mental stimulation they need from you.
Rabbits are social animals, and they’ll want to interact with their environment as much as possible. They want to see you, just as you want to see them! They also need exercise, so let them out of their cage whenever you can.
Make Sure They Don’t Panic
If you throw a blanket on their cage, you’ll still need to give your rabbit enough room so they don’t panic. They might get nervous when they can’t see outside, so leave them a little uncovered space where they can see their surroundings. You can also help them feel cozier by putting a blanket inside their hutch they can snuggle in.
Leave Some Room for Air
Throwing a blanket over your rabbit’s cage also reduces airflow. This can be a good thing to protect them from a draft, but it can also be dangerous if you close it too much. A rabbit is a very sensitive pet, and they will need sufficient ventilation. Otherwise, you might even risk giving them a respiratory infection.
You can reduce this risk simply by leaving the top open. You can also consider just covering one side of the cage, such as the front. This way, your rabbit has protection on one side, but isn’t too covered.
Maintain Outdoor Rabbits Warm
If your rabbit mostly lives outdoors, covering the cage may be necessary to keep them warm and safe. You may also need to pay extra attention to waterproofing their hutch and providing them enough bedding so they stay warm all night. Still, always remember to leave room for ventilation.
Do Rabbits Like Blankets Over Their Cage?
Yes, rabbits often enjoy sleeping protected behind a blanket. You might have noticed that your rabbit tends to look for the smallest, coziest little places to hide in. They enjoy structures such as cardboard boxes, small tunnels resembling a natural burrow, and everything else that makes them feel safe.
A rabbit’s natural instinct is to hide from predators in a little nest, which is why they enjoy little houses or cardboard boxes. Putting a blanket in can provide some additional comfort for your bunny.
When Are Rabbits Most Active?
You might have noticed your rabbit sleeps a lot during the day, but that doesn’t mean they’re awake when you’re asleep. Rabbits are most active during dusk and dawn, and that’s when they’re probably most interested in playing and running around.
If you can, play with your rabbit at this time. After playing, you may give them their last big meal of the day to quiet them down naturally before going to sleep.
How Do You Keep Rabbits Quiet at Night?
With some bunnies, there’s just no way to quiet them down when you want to get some shut-eye. They may start rattling the bars and jumping around in their cage, and if the cage is in your bedroom the noise can sometimes be too intense.
Most bunnies may easily fall asleep when you do, but if they seem very active when you’re heading to bed, you can try these tactics.
- Give them a chew toy.
- Give them enough attention.
- Take out toys that make noise.
- Feed them late.
Give Them a Chew Toy
You probably already know this, but chew toys are a fantastic way to keep your rabbit busy and give them something to use their long front teeth on. Rabbits need to use their incisors because they grow throughout their entire lives. Keeping them busy with a wooden chew toy may give you a comfortable sleep and be helpful for your rabbit.
If your budget is tight, you can try some DIY options for chew toys by picking up some twigs or pine cones on your next walk outside. Bunnies especially love willow and apple tree branches for their taste.
Give Them Enough Attention
If your rabbit makes a lot of noise in the dark, it might be because they’re looking for attention—from you! The best way to quiet a restless rabbit is by playing with them before you go to bed.
Make sure you give your rabbit at least 3 hours of free-roaming time outside the cage, so they can use their legs and get exercise. Play with them as much as you can to tire them out, and they should be a bit calmer later. Remember that dusk is the time of day when they’re most active, so this could be the right moment to play with them, too.
Take Out Toys That Make Noise
If your rabbit still makes a lot of noise in their cage, take out all the toys that excite them. When it’s dark, you’re sleeping and the only option your rabbit has is to sleep, they’ll likely follow your example. It might take a few nights for them to get used to it, but eventually they’ll know that when the lights are out, it’s time to sleep.
Feed Them Late
Give your bunny one of their important meals right before going to bed. This could be their delicious daily dose of leafy greens. When they’re full, they’re less likely to go bouncing around their cage, and you can both get to sleep fast.
How Many Hours a Day Should a Rabbit Be Out of Its Cage?
You should let your rabbit out of their cage for at least three hours every day. You can do this indoors or outdoors, but always offer them a safe place from predators with an outdoor hutch or tunnel.
Always remember to supervise your rabbit when they’re bouncing around freely in your home. If you have another pet that can harm your rabbit, such as cats and dogs, don’t leave them alone with the rabbit.
Games to Play With Your Rabbit
Some bunnies are more energetic than others, and you might run out of ideas of things to do to tire them out before the night falls. Here are some ideas for exercise with your pet during the day so you can get your beauty sleep later.
Free Bouncing
If you want to make sure your pet gets enough exercise, the most important thing is to let them roam free during the day. Create a safe space for your rabbit to bounce around and explore, so you’ll know they’re away from danger from another pet.
Pay close attention to what they’re doing and make sure you keep anything dangerous out of reach from them. This includes munchable fabrics like carpets, as well as electric appliances and power cords.
Kid’s Toys
Some baby toys, such as stacking cups or other plastic objects, are excellent for rabbits, too. You can pile them up and let the rabbit lift the cups with their teeth and throw them all over. It’s a little game of fetch for your bunny, but with you being the one who fetches.
You’ll be surprised how much bunnies enjoy this game and playing with you. It’s great for their coordination and mental development.
Another good thing about baby toys is that they’re often made out of the safest, toxin-free plastics. If something is safe for a baby you’ll know it’s usually suitable for a sensitive little pet like a rabbit, too.
Chase a Toy
Another option is to tie a string to a toy your bunny loves, and dangle it in front of them. You can slowly drag the toy on the floor to make your rabbit follow it, or dangle it above them and let them try to reach it. It’s sure to tire out your rabbit before bed, and as a bonus, you get to spend more time interacting together.
Munchable Toys
Your bunny spends a large chunk of their day munching on things. Store-bought chew toys and natural versions, like twigs or pine cones, are a good way to maintain your rabbit busy.
You can also make a DIY toy from a toilet paper roll or an empty egg carton. Bunnies love shredding up the carton into little pieces.
Do Rabbits Like to Sleep in the Dark?
Yes, rabbits do enjoy sleeping in tiny, dark places. They’ll feel safest when they’re hiding in a dark corner, so feel free to turn off the lights. A blanket can help them feel safe for sleeping.
You should also create a safe space for your bunny inside their cage. You can do this with a fabric tunnel, a wooden box or anything else that allows them to hide out and feel snug and protected.
Bottom Line
For those still wondering should you cover a rabbit cage at night, it’s optional but it often works well to keep them calm. For outdoor bunnies, we recommend you cover the cage so you’ll know your pet is protected from the cold.
Rabbits like sleeping protected, but they’re very sensitive animals. If you decide to cover their cage, you need to check that your rabbit has enough air and somewhere to see outside. Otherwise, they might panic or even develop respiratory problems.
If your bunny makes a lot of noise in their cage, the most important thing is to not get mad at them. Your pet is probably just looking for your attention. Rabbits are very social, so take it as a compliment and be sure to spend enough time with your bunny during the day.