Companion Animal Welfare

Rabbit Outdoor Run Predator Protection

Outdoor access is essential for rabbit welfare, but predator attacks are a leading cause of rabbit mortality; secure run design is critical.

Key Facts

Rabbits require at least 3m x 2m x 1m of secure outdoor space in addition to their housing
Foxes, cats, dogs, and birds of prey are common rabbit predators
Rabbits can die of fright during a predator attack even without physical contact
Wire mesh should be at minimum 16 gauge; chicken wire is inadequate
Cover overhead netting and underground skirting prevent airborne and burrowing predator entry

Welfare Considerations

Outdoor access dramatically improves rabbit welfare, but only if enclosures are genuinely secure; half-measures expose rabbits to terror and injury.

What You Can Do

Audit your rabbit enclosure for predator vulnerabilities
Replace flimsy mesh with welded galvanised wire of appropriate gauge
Never leave rabbits unsupervised outside without a fully secure enclosure