Keeping a rabbit comfortable in any weather can be tricky. Most rabbits are particular about their surroundings, so finding a home that suits them and keeps them warm and dry in the rain is essential if they live outside.
There are so many options to choose from, it can be mindboggling! Certain features are essential for your rabbit’s health and discerning taste (such as different levels). This article contains reviews, ratings, and pros/cons of the seven best waterproof rabbit hutches, so you’re armed with the knowledge that you need to make your bunny happy.
A Quick Look at Our Favorites in 2023
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Best Overall |
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Aivituvin 36.4-in Wheeled Rabbit Hutch |
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Best Value |
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TRIXIE Natura Rabbit Hutch With Sloped Roof |
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Premium Choice |
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TRIXIE Small Animal Hutch with Outdoor Run |
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Good Life Two Floors Rabbit Hutch |
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PawHut 48" 2-Story Wooden Rabbit Hutch |
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The 7 Best Waterproof Rabbit Hutches
1. Aivituvin 36.4-in Indoor & Outdoor Wheeled Rabbit Hutch — Best Overall
Dimensions: | 40.6” L x 26” W x 36.4” H |
Material: | Fir wood |
Door Number: | Three |
Need to assemble?: | Yes |
The Aivituvin 36.4-in Indoor & Outdoor Wheeled Rabbit Hutch is everything that your rabbit needs to stay happy, whether indoors or outdoors. The handy wheels make moving the entire hutch a breeze, and they also feature a locking mechanism, so you know your bunnies are safe. This hutch is waterproof and made of rabbit-safe fir, and the split-level can be segregated via a built-in hatch for easy cleaning.
This is particularly impressive as the Aivituvin hutch also features a slide-out, no-leak tray to make cleaning a breeze and minimally disturbing to your rabbits. Building this hutch requires some self-assembly, but reviews state that the building process is easy and quick. The Aivituvin hutch provides three doors for easy access to your rabbits. While the built-in exercise area isn’t large enough for your rabbit’s daily exercise needs, the Aivituvin hutch’s great features and added safety elements make it our pick as the best overall waterproof rabbit hutch.
2. TRIXIE Natura Rabbit Hutch With Sloped Roof — Best Value
Dimensions: | 33.25” L x 17.5” W x 30.5” H |
Material: | Glazed pine |
Door Number: | Three |
Need to assemble?: | Yes |
The TRIXIE Natura Rabbit Hutch With Sloped Roof has more of a “traditional” feel to it, with red pine sides and a green weatherproof roof. The roof is sloped, so any rainwater will safely run off and won’t sag the wood, and there is a bunny “bedroom” on the top level, which is separated via a lockable trap door. This hutch is smaller than some others, so it would only suit juvenile or small breeds of rabbits.
One great feature of the TRIXIE hutch is the hinged roof, which opens right up and is locked in place with an extendable arm. This also makes cleaning much easier, along with the pull-out tray that slides under the top level. However, the hutch is made with glazed pine; while glazed pine is generally considered safe, other woods are preferable. For an excellent starter hutch that’ll keep your bunnies warm and dry outside, the Trixie Natura rabbit hutch is a winner and our pick for the best waterproof rabbit hutch for the money due to its excellent value.
3. TRIXIE Small Animal Hutch With Outdoor Run — Premium Choice
Dimensions: | 61” L x 20.75” W x 27.5” H |
Material: | Glazed pine |
Door Number: | Five |
Need to assemble?: | Yes |
The TRIXIE Small Animal Hutch With Outdoor Run is the perfect size for a pair of small-breed bunnies that need a weatherproof home with all the extras. This hutch comes with a detachable run, so they get some exercise room, five doors for easy access, and two hinged roofs that make cleaning and bunny extraction a breeze. The only downside to this solidly built hutch is that it’s made with glazed pine (not ideal for rabbits) and is quite pricey for the size. However, with its removable run, the space can be expanded.
4. Good Life Two Floors Rabbit Hutch
Dimensions: | 62” L x 21” W x 37” H |
Material: | Fir, plastic, iron |
Door Number: | Four |
Need to assemble?: | Yes |
This lovely rabbit hutch features a dual-sloped roof to drain rainwater promptly, eco-friendly and pet-safe weatherproofing, and four doors for easy access to your bunnies. The Good Life Two Floors Rabbit Hutch is easy to assemble, according to reviews, even for its size. It’s spacious enough for two medium-large rabbits, and all that extra room is easy to clean due to three removable trays (one under the top level, two under the run).
The run isn’t big, but additional space can always be provided for dedicated exercise time. However, the trays can leak because they’re not that deep, so keep that in mind if your rabbits like to kick up a mess! The ramp connecting the lower floor to the upper floor is coated and textured for safety, but small rabbits may find it too intimidating to go up, as it’s quite steep. Big bunnies will be much more comfortable in this fancy-looking hutch!
5. PawHut 48″ 2-Story Wooden Rabbit Hutch Elevated Bunny Cage
Dimensions: | 48” L x 19.75” W x 41” H |
Material: | Fir wood, metal |
Door Number: | Five |
Need to assemble?: | Yes |
The PawHut 48″ 2-Story Wooden Rabbit Hutch Elevated Bunny Cage is a sturdy home for two rabbits, with no frills but a strong design. This hutch doesn’t come with a run, but both floors are spacious, and each has an enclosed and open side. The asphalt-covered roof is flat, so water will have to be brushed off, but it’s weatherproof and can be easily opened due to the smooth hinges.
Plenty of doors make cleaning and feeding your rabbits easy, and the pull-out trays under each level speed up the process. The assembly is a little trickier than some other hutches, and the PawHut won’t stand up to snow. Lastly, this lasting hutch has a top level that’s easily segregated with a lockable hatch, so you can keep your bunnies busy downstairs while you clean their penthouse on top!
6. PawHut 2-Level Rabbit Hutch Bunny House
Dimensions: | 48” L x 24.75” W x 36.25” H |
Material: | Fir wood, metal |
Door Number: | Two |
Need to assemble?: | Yes |
The PawHut 2-Level Rabbit Hutch Bunny House is a small but mighty all-weather home for rabbit owners who prefer a simple design. The cute house design has a double-sloped asphalt roof for water run-off (unfortunately, this doesn’t open), and the fir and metal frame is weather-proof and made to last. The added metal truly makes this a sturdy build, and the fact that the entire “main” house is raised off the ground will protect your rabbits from dampness and predators.
There are only two doors to this hutch, however, so some coaxing may be needed to get your bunnies to come out. While this hutch is roomy enough for two small rabbits, any more or large breeds will find it too cramped. The hutch, including the run, was rated as easy to assemble according to reviews, and the slide-out drawer makes cleaning it easy. Just be aware of the lack of a bottom on the ground level, since it can add time to each cage-cleaning session.
7. Ketive Rabbit Hutch
Dimensions: | 40” L x 20” W x 29.1” H |
Material: | Fir wood, metal, acrylic |
Door Number: | Four |
Need to assemble?: | Yes |
The cute, uniquely shaped Ketive Rabbit Hutch is excellent for small rabbits that want somewhere cool to rest. It is completely weatherproof and easily movable due to four wheels on each corner, but it’s only big enough for two small rabbits. Cleaning is made easier due to the removable tray and wire mesh grate, but be cautious that the wire doesn’t irritate your rabbit’s feet; the wire shouldn’t be the surface that your rabbit has to rest on. However, the trays are deep, which effectively prevents messes and saves you time when cleaning. The Ketive hutch is durable and looks great, but it can take some time to assemble.
Buyer’s Guide: Choosing the Best Waterproof Rabbit Hutches
When there are so many commercial hutches available, breaking down each feature and thinking about how they’ll benefit your rabbits is key. We took the features, reviews, and prices into consideration when selecting our top picks.
Why a Waterproof Hutch? What to Look For
When your rabbits are outside, either full or part time, they need protection from inclement weather, since they’re particularly vulnerable to being too cold or wet. An improperly used or unprotected hutch can warp, break down, or begin to rot. If you want longevity, you need to make sure the hutch can withstand being outside!
The materials used in waterproofing include the glaze or varnish used to coat the wood. Roofs with slants are the best kind, and they enable water to run off onto the ground and prevent water pooling. Water is heavy, and it can cause erosion if left in place for too long or cause the roof to sag! Most weatherproof hutches have slanted roofs with a slight overhang to prevent water from being dumped right next to your bunnies; look for a deeper slant if you can, since it provides the best water flow.
The varnish or coating on the wood of your hutch is also important to weatherproofing, as not all are equal. Pet-safe varnishes are a must, and many used on rabbit hutches are water based and pet safe. This is important for rabbits because they’re enthusiastic chewers that are more than likely to nibble on the wood of their hutch occasionally. Look for water-based, pet-safe, weatherproof coatings when purchasing your hutch. Most coatings last for a while, but some will need to be re-applied.
Shapes, Materials, and Sizes
Arguably one of the most important factors to consider when choosing a hutch for your rabbits is the size. If you have a pair of large breeds, such as Flemish Giants, you’ll need a large hutch to accommodate them.
You can never have a hutch too big for your rabbits, but it can certainly be too small. Look at the dimensions of the waterproof hutch you’re considering and think about how your rabbits would fit. Hutches with additional “run” space are preferable, as they offer more legroom. However, in nearly all cases, you’ll need to provide an extra run or area for your rabbits to exercise.
The materials of the hutch also matter, and making sure the wood is non-toxic and weather-proof is key. Ideally, pine wouldn’t be used, as it contains phenols that can harm a rabbit, but solid pine is not as dangerous as pine shavings (which should never be used). Fir is a good option, and metal is also suitable as long as it’s weather- and rust-proof. The roof of your rabbit’s hutch should be asphalt or another waterproof material.
Additional Features
Many hutches will come with additional “quality of life” features for your rabbits. For example, trays that slide out from the bottom can make cleaning much easier to accomplish, and many hutches have a trapdoor that can block off one area of the hutch to make sure cleaning is uninterrupted if your rabbits are in residence. Wheels are also a great option for owners who move their rabbits from indoors to outdoors and back. Weatherproofed wooden hutches are often heavy and can be cumbersome to shift on your own, but wheels make them much easier to move.
Accessibility
Apart from moving your rabbits out of the cage for cleaning or giving them food or substrate, you may need to get to your rabbit quickly in an emergency. Hutches with roof openings are excellent choices because they enable you to reach in from above and through one of the other. Just make sure the other doors are securely fastened and can’t be jimmied open by a particularly persistent rabbit (or predator).
Fixtures and Fittings
Lastly, you’ll need to consider which supplies your rabbits will need in their waterproof hutch. Rabbits need a litter tray, food, water bottles, bedding, comfy materials, toys, etc. They need a lot! Think about how you’d set up your rabbit’s hutch before you decide on a purchase, and see if any additional features on the hutch make this easier. Some hutches have hay racks or special water bottle spaces built in, which can dramatically improve the space available for your bunnies.
Conclusion
The best overall waterproof rabbit hutch among these reviews is the Aivituvin Indoor & Outdoor Hutch because its wheels and intuitive design maximize available space and make the indoor-outdoor transition easy. A cheaper but still great option is the TRIXIE Natura Hutch, which makes use of its limited space by adding an incredibly useful hinged roof for easy access.
Lastly, the premium pick is the TRIXIE Small Animal Hutch. Its thoughtfully designed detachable run makes it easy for owners to expand on their rabbit’s living space while providing a solidly built base. Rabbits need a comfortable, safe home to live in, whether they’re inside or outdoors.
Featured Image Credit: Da Antipina, Shutterstock