A small animal’s hutch is more than just four walls and a food bowl.
Rabbits, guinea pigs, ferrets, rats and mice – to them, a hutch is where they sleep, snack, explore, burrow, and express their personality.
But all too often, hutches are treated as all function, no style. (Or all style, no function.)
The good news? You don’t need to start from scratch. With a few thoughtful changes, you can turn your pet’s hutch into a lively, liveable space.
1. Build layers and levels
If your pet’s hutch feels a bit like one large, open-plan room, it’s time to divide and conquer.
Creating different “zones” helps mimic how animals naturally behave in the wild – separate areas for sleeping, eating, playing and toileting. These zones not only support their instincts but also help minimise cross-contamination, keeping food clean, bedding dry and waste contained to a single, easy-to-clean area.
You don’t need fancy walls to do it. A cardboard tunnel, a small wooden house, or even a well-placed hay pile can help section off spaces.
Bonus points if you add levels! Platforms and ramps, bridge tunnels or a mountable hay feeder will get them climbing and exploring, keeping them mentally and physically active.
While cardboard is excellent for creating tunnels and zones, always keep an eye on how much your pet is chewing and consuming. Small nibbles are okay (and often fun), but it has no nutritional value, and too much cardboard can cause digestive issues, especially for rabbits and guinea pigs. Stick to plain, uncoated cardboard with no ink, glue or tape.
2. Upgrade bedding and flooring
Your pet spends a lot of time with its feet (and belly) on the floor, so it’s worth making the area comfortable for them.
Swap out any rough or worn surfaces for soft, absorbent bedding that’s safe for your pet to chew on and easy to clean.
Paper-based bedding is gentle, and fleece liners are a washable, eco-friendly option.
Raised sleeping platforms or hidey houses with cosy linings can also help pets feel safe, warm and more in control of their space.
3. Mix up the textures for entertainment
Enrichment is more than a buzzword and more than an extra consideration. It’s about giving your small pet the chance to do what comes naturally: chew, dig, forage, play and explore.
That’s where the Lexi & Me range of wooden natural small animal toys comes in, providing different textures and shapes to entertain for hours.
Made with safe, chew-friendly materials? Check. Designed to satisfy your pet’s instincts? Check. Stylish enough to look right at home in a modern hutch? Absolutely.
We recommend:
- Snack puzzles to engage their foraging instincts.
- Wooden chew toys to support their chewing instincts.
- Feeder snack lines to reward natural climbing behaviour.
For rabbits and guinea pigs, chewing is a natural and essential biological need. Without the right outlets, their teeth can overgrow. So a few well-placed wooden toys can make a big difference.
4. Think about safety and security
Even the most enriching hutch won’t work if your pet doesn’t feel safe.
Small animals are naturally alert to their surroundings, so a secure and stable enclosure gives them the confidence to rest, explore and play.
Check their hutch regularly for gaps, sharp edges or unstable accessories that could cause injury.
Make sure any latches or locks are predator-proof if your hutch is kept outdoors.
And indoors, be mindful of noisy appliances, sudden temperature shifts or other pets that might stress your little one out.
If you’ve got a new pet or you’re refreshing an old setup, take time to watch how they interact with the space. You’ll notice pretty quickly if they’re avoiding certain corners or struggling to feel settled.
5. Add a touch of wilderness
You might not be able to recreate the great outdoors exactly, but you can simulate elements of it inside the hutch.
Try adding textures and smells from nature like:
- Hay piles for digging
- Untreated branches (like apple or willow) for gnawing
- Bundles of fresh herbs for sniffing and nibbling
If your pet has outdoor time, create a little crossover by using the same toy or tunnel inside and outside to make the space feel familiar and secure.
6. Adjust for the seasons
In warmer months, focus on airflow and shade.
Swap heavy bedding for breathable options, such as paper or fleece, and ensure their space is well-ventilated.
Cooling mats, frozen water bottles wrapped in a cloth, and shaded areas can all help prevent overheating.
In colder months, insulation is key.
Add extra straw or hay and provide enclosed spots to trap warmth.
If you’re feeling extra, you can also change their toys and enrichment items with the seasons. Add seasonal treats like dried herbs in winter or fresh forage in spring.
If your small animal is stretched out and breathing quickly, they’re likely too hot. If they’re curled tight and burrowed deep, they may need more warmth.
7. Add safe, private areas
Small animals are prey species, so they instinctively seek out places where they can hide, rest and feel protected.
Make sure your hutch has at least one enclosed hidey space. A wooden house or covered platform can become a go-to comfort spot for your pet, especially in noisy or busy environments.
If the hutch is indoors, drape a lightweight towel or breathable fabric over part of it to create a darker, more private corner. This helps your pet feel safe and settled, especially in bright or high-traffic areas of the house.
And remember, less can be more. A hutch that’s cluttered with stuff (even well-meaning stuff!) can make your pet feel anxious. Even with all of these upgrades, ensure you leave plenty of space for them to move freely and rest.
Plus, the best hutches are the ones designed with intention. The ones designed not just for show, but for wholesome living.
Natural play is naturally better. Ready to upgrade your small animal’s playtime and enrichment?
Explore the Lexi & Me small animal natural toys and accessories range.