Indoor pens and modular fencing for rabbits: building the right space
Published by Planète Pets · managing editor: Clément Lacaille · how our guides are written
Modular pens and indoor fencing are the best way to house a rabbit in a flat: metal panels 60 to 80 cm high, joined into an evolving 2 to 4 m² pen, cost 25 to 60 € and adapt to any room, where a fixed cage simply confines. The principle: start with a closed pen, then gradually open it onto the room as litter habits and rabbit-proofing progress.
Contents · 5 sections
What should you look for in modular panels?
- A height of at least 70 to 80 cm: many rabbits clear 60 cm from a standstill;
- Metal rather than plastic: thin coated plastic grids get chewed and bent;
- Bar spacing under 3.5 cm for a dwarf rabbit, or the head fits through;
- Rigid fixings (connectors or cable ties): a pen that warps eventually opens;
- An expandable panel count: sets of 8 panels of 70 x 70 cm sell for around 30 to 45 €.
Closed pen, room divider or fenced corridor?
The closed pen is home base: set it on a protective floor covering with tray, hay, hideout and water. A divider then turns a whole room into territory by blocking off only the dangerous zone (desk and cables, kitchen, stairs). Finally, panel corridors connect the pen to the exercise area without constant supervision. The floor areas to aim for are detailed in our guide what enclosure size.
How do you prevent jumps and escapes?
If your rabbit clears 80 cm, there is no need to build a fortress: partially cover the pen with a net or panels laid flat, move away any stepping stone (hideout or sofa within 40 cm of the fence) and enrich the interior — a busy rabbit escapes less; think tunnels and hideouts and puzzle toys. Protect the floor too: our guide to non-slip flooring prevents skids and damaged parquet.
Which layout for which home size?
In a studio: a 3 m² pen opening onto the secured room during the hours you are home. In a flat: a dedicated room closed off by a divider, the goal being to move towards the free-roaming setup described in the bedding and habitat section.
Frequently asked questions
Do puppy pens work?
Yes, often: same metal panels, decent height. Check the bar spacing and make sure there is no low-latch door the rabbit can lift with its muzzle.
Does the pen need a floor or a roof?
No wire floor — bad for the feet: a tarpaulin plus rugs is enough. A roof is only needed for jumpers or when a dog or cat shares the home.
Can the pen remain the only territory?
A 2 m² pen is a permanent minimum, to be complemented by daily outings of several hours in a secured area.
See it in the Planète Pets shop: Hanging chew garland for rabbits and rodents (€17.90) · the whole shop
See it in the Planète Pets shop: Modular plastic playpen for puppies and rabbits, 4 or 6 panels (from $87.90, ships from the US) · the US shop
This guide is part of Planète Pets’s Rabbits universe. Our advice is general in nature: for any health concern, your veterinarian remains the only reference.
