January 5, 2026, 8:17 am | Read time: 8 minutes

Outdoor Housing is the Most Species-Appropriate Form for Rabbits–Even in Winter

Many rabbit owners are unsure whether they should bring their animals indoors during the winter or if year-round outdoor housing is feasible. Most rabbit breeds actually tolerate cold better than heat. Their cozy fur protects them from freezing temperatures, even down to minus 20 degrees Celsius.

What Requirements Must the Outdoor Enclosure Meet?

The enclosure must primarily offer enough space. According to the Veterinary Association for Animal Welfare (TVT), this means at least six square meters for two animals. For each additional rabbit, an extra 20 percent is calculated. To keep six rabbits outdoors in winter, you need about 10.8 square meters.

The enclosure should have a sheltered and covered area and a fenced-in run where the rabbits can frolic in the snow and stay fit even in winter. Natural floors like earth are not recommended in the enclosure, as they are difficult to clean, especially in sub-zero temperatures when droppings freeze and mix with the earth to form a rock-hard mess. Sand floors or bark mulch are better, although bark mulch tends to mold.

In the covered area, you can spread straw, hay, or small animal bedding. Especially during frost, you should use a lot of hay and straw to keep the animals cozy and warm. The floor underneath must be absolutely tight! You can use stone slabs or PVC for this. However, it is better to avoid using pond liner for lining, as it can sometimes release toxic substances that can be problematic for rabbits.

Which Rabbits Should Not Live in the Outdoor Enclosure in Winter?

However, there are also rabbits that get cold more quickly. These include older animals and rabbits that are not 100 percent healthy and fit. For these rabbits, overwintering outside in the garden is not recommended. For healthy and young animals, overwintering in the garden is not a problem if the requirements for a winter-proof enclosure are met.  

Which Rabbit Breeds Are Weather-Sensitive?

Even if you wouldn’t necessarily expect it: Long-haired breeds are more sensitive to cold than rabbits with short hair. They often lack the dense topcoat that allows water and snow to bead off. Their fur does not absorb moisture well but rather soaks it up. Consequently, they cannot retain body heat as well. Therefore, long-haired rabbits get cold faster outdoors in winter. The rabbit breeds that are more sensitive to the weather include:

• Lionhead rabbit
• French Angora rabbit
• English Angora rabbit
• Satin Angora rabbit
• Genter Bearded rabbit
• Giant rabbit
• American Fuzzy Lop rabbit
• Jersey Wooly rabbit
• Fox rabbit
• Jamora harlequin

But even the short-haired Rex rabbits are not entirely insensitive to cold and precipitation. ¹

Rabbits with Pre-Existing Conditions Should Be Brought Indoors in Winter

Some rabbits are also less suitable for the cold season in the outdoor enclosure due to health vulnerabilities. These include older animals from about five years old, very young or pregnant rabbits, and animals with weakened immune systems. It is also important to have complete vaccination protection against myxomatosis and RHD (Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease), as contact with wild rabbits is possible outside.

Right Time for the Move Outdoors

Rabbits that have previously lived exclusively indoors should not be moved abruptly to the outdoor enclosure in winter. “They are adaptable but need time to adjust their immune system to the changed temperatures,” explains ZZF board member Leon Schlosser.

Likewise, the fur must gradually adapt to the cooler climate: “Their fur must also gradually adapt to the colder environment to provide adequate protection.” Ideally, the transition should occur while daytime temperatures are still above 15 degrees. A constant switch between a warm living space and the garden should be avoided.

Schlosser recommends moving the rabbits outdoors when daytime temperatures are still above 15 degrees. Once the rabbits are in the outdoor enclosure, their quarters should no longer switch between a heated apartment and the garden.

How the Outdoor Enclosure for Rabbits Should Look in Winter

In the outdoor enclosure, rabbits need not only space to run but also a protected shelter. “A well-insulated, draft-free shelter as a retreat is essential. It should have room for all the animals so they can warm each other,” emphasizes Schlosser. To protect the respiratory tract, it is advisable to temporarily cover the entrances with cloths in icy weather.

The shelter doesn’t have to be large. On the contrary, in a smaller shelter, the animals can snuggle up better in tight spaces and warm each other. If you have a very large group of rabbits, you can set up several shelters, as the animals definitely need space to lie down, eat, and drink.

There are also cat houses available in stores that are just as suitable for rabbits. Ready-made rabbit hutches are often not well-made and need retrofitting. The wire doors of the hutches can be protected with a wool blanket to reduce drafts for the rabbits. However, it is better to avoid insulation with materials like Styrofoam, as it prevents air circulation. The shelter should be positioned so that the entrance does not face the weather side.

Clean Bedding and Safe Drinking Water

Especially in winter, dry bedding is important. It should be generously distributed, absorbent, and regularly renewed. “Please ensure that the bedding is always dry so the animals do not get sick,” warns Schlosser. Additionally, a layer of bark mulch protects against moisture and contributes to insulation. In cold weather, it is advisable to increase the amount of bedding.

Regular cleaning is also mandatory to prevent the spread of pathogens. Rabbits love fresh food and need an extra portion of vitamins in winter. Cabbage and sugar beets, as well as fruit, can be offered in small amounts but more frequently. Fresh food can freeze at sub-zero temperatures, so dry food in the form of hay, seeds, and dried herbs should always be provided.

Water must be checked and, if necessary, replaced several times a day during frost. Nipple drinkers are not recommended, as there is a risk of the tongue freezing to the metal in sub-zero temperatures. It is best to use several bowls, so the frozen bowl can be quickly thawed indoors. The larger the bowl, the slower the contents freeze.

It is best to place the bowl on an insulating base made of wood or plastic. Two bowls of different sizes nested together also freeze less quickly. There are also heated dog bowls and electronic drink warmers for chickens available in stores. These can be used for a rabbit enclosure, but you should ensure that the cables cannot be gnawed.  ²

More on the topic

Experts Offer Tips How Rabbits and Guinea Pigs Stay Healthy in Outdoor Enclosures During Cold Weather

Dog, Cat, Rabbit Which Pets Need More Food in Winter?

Energy Needs Increase in Cold Weather

Rabbits living outdoors require more energy in winter. The diet should be adjusted as early as fall. High-quality, energy-rich grass supports the heat balance and metabolism. Additionally, vitamin- and protein-rich food components can strengthen the immune system. Pet owners can receive advice on suitable winter food in specialty stores.

Other fresh food should be fed in smaller quantities, as Schlosser emphasizes: “It is also important to offer fresh fruits and vegetables only in small amounts that are eaten immediately. Frozen or too cold food can cause stomach and intestinal problems.”

What to Do if a Rabbit in the Outdoor Enclosure Gets Sick?

Despite all precautions, even healthy animals can fall ill in winter. The respiratory and urinary tracts are particularly sensitive. Daily checks are therefore mandatory: Are the animals behaving normally? Are they eating and drinking enough? Is the fur clean and dry? Warning signs like diarrhea or nasal discharge should be taken seriously and clarified by a veterinarian.

Since there is less contact with the animals in the outdoor enclosure, you should regularly take the time to observe the rabbits more closely. If an animal appears sickly, it should not be brought into the heated living space, as the sudden temperature difference would further stress its system.

It is better to use the basement, laundry room, or another unheated room to observe it. Since living without its companions is stressful for a rabbit, it is better if the group moves to the frost-free quarters together, provided the sick animal does not have a contagious disease.