Rabbits are active animals — they love leaping up and down, hopping around, and twisting and twirling in excitement.
If you have pet rabbits and are thinking of letting them out in your backyard, I am sure you’re wondering whether they can fit through small holes and escape from the fence.
Or maybe you find rabbits a nuisance and don’t want them breaching your fence.
Can Rabbits Fit Through Small Holes?
Yes, rabbits are most definitely flexible and agile enough to fit into small holes.
Like cats, rabbits can also squeeze and squish themselves to fit into holes and openings that are way smaller than their body size. Their flexible body and limbs allow them to dig their way in or out of an enclosed space that hasn’t been properly rabbit-proofed.
In fact, bunnies love the process of creating or digging small holes where they can comfortably sit and relax.
Wild rabbits instinctively dig burrows as a nest for themselves. This underground home also protects them from any predators out on the prowl.
Domestic rabbits will use these instincts to free themselves from cages and other restricted spaces.
They are capable of escaping grandly from the small holes they’ve meticulously dug underground or on a corner of their fence.
Rabbit digging habits can be frustrating for the owners. You might wake up one day to find that your back garden is full of small holes and burrows, your plants and other greenery sacrificed in the process.
There’s no point in getting annoyed or angry at your pet bunny for its instinctual behavior. Instead, it’s better to take preventative measures before the deed is done.
Also read: Can Rabbits Go Up and Down Stairs?
How Small Of A Hole Can A Rabbit Fit Through?
This really depends on the size of the rabbit.
Most rabbits can fit through a hole that is about 2-3 inches wide.
However, there are some bigger breeds of rabbits that can sometimes fit through holes that are up to 4 or 5 inches wide.
So it really just depends on the size of your specific rabbit.
This flexibility also allows rabbits to jump high and run quickly. They are able to jump up to 12 feet in the air and cover distances of up to 4 feet in a single stride.
What Size Fence Keeps Rabbits Out?
A wire fence with mesh no bigger than 1-inch is sufficient to keep rabbits out.
The fence should be at least 6 feet high, with the top of the fence angled inward so that rabbits can’t jump over it.
Also, bury the bottom of the fence a few inches below ground to discourage tunneling beneath it.
Rabbit-Proofing Your Garden
During the warm summer season, it’s tempting to let your rabbit have more freedom to explore and wander around.
Regardless of your rabbit’s display of best behavior in the past, being out in nature may bring out their inhibited instincts.
Whether you’re letting your rabbit roam in the gardens temporarily or planning to build a secure cage outside, it’s important that you double-check that everything is rabbit-proof.
Rabbits are masterminds of escaping small, enclosed spaces.
A place that has possible hidden routes and poor structure will not be able to restrict their movements.
However, it’s certainly possible to control the destructive tendencies your rabbit shows in their natural habitat.
Let’s go over some of the ways you can rabbit-proof your garden.
Close off All Means of Exit
Starting from the basics, make sure that your gate is securely closed at all times.
If there are gaps underneath the gate, you can install wire mesh to close off any rabbit-sized space your bunny may notice.
It’s also a good idea to sink wire mesh into the ground if you plan to let your rabbit stay in the garden for a long time.
Without this protective layer, the rabbit will be able to dig and burrow its way out of any fence or hedge.
It’s recommended that you regularly check the perimeter of your garden in case your playful bunny has created any gaps or holes.
Use Non-Chewable Material for Fences
A rabbit’s teeth are one of its most well-known features.
These teeth are not just for show; your rabbit is more than capable of chewing or biting off materials like plastic and wood.
Chicken wires are a common choice among rabbit owners.
However, if the wire is too fine, a stubborn rabbit will be able to create a hole big enough to fit its body through it.
If you want a sturdier fence, you can go for heavy-duty mesh or woven steel wire.
In the case of the latter, keep in mind that the diamond-shaped holes in the net should be smaller than your rabbit’s head size.
If you want to make the fence even more potent, make a chain-link fence. It is made of heavy steel wire woven, which forms a diamond-shaped net. You can buy this chain-link fence online.
Try to install the fence at least 3 inches deep into the ground. Using mesh here will further prevent your rabbit from digging through the ends of the fence.
Provide a Safe Place for Your Bunny to Hide
One of the reasons a rabbit digs a burrow is for nesting. It’s a natural and intuitive behavior for rabbits to find comfort in underground tunnels.
You can avoid your rabbit destroying your garden if you provide them with a shelter in their cage that resembles dark underground tunnels.
The bunny will be protected and safe from predators in its small house and would be able to control its urges to dig burrows for itself.
Fence off the Area Properly
It’s essential also essential that you fence off any vegetable patches or flower beds in your garden.
Your rabbit is incapable of knowing what’s valuable to you and will end up destroying your hard work.
When it comes to cages, rabbits can leap high off the ground and climb fences.
When installing fences, ensure that it’s high enough so that your bunny cannot simply jump its way out of there.
Thoroughly observe the area for any walls or old tree stumps your rabbit can use to escape the cage.
Their agile also bodies allow them to use these as leverage to climb their way out of the fenced area.
However, fences can deteriorate over time due to weather conditions and other external damage.
It’s a smart move to periodically check the fence so you can fix any visible signs of damage or get it replaced.
Hide Insecticides and Other Garden Tools
When allowing your rabbit to roam around the garden freely, ensure that there are no garden chemicals or tools in the vicinity.
Most insecticides and other chemicals are toxic to your rabbit and should not be consumed by them.
As a pet owner, it’s your responsibility to ensure that your garden doesn’t have chemicals within reach of your rabbits before letting them explore the area.
The rabbit’s curious nature will also attract them towards garden tools and other stacked furniture in the garden.
To prevent any dangerous item from falling on the rabbit, it’s better that you tuck away and hide anything that can possibly harm your rabbits.
Supervision is Still Important
No matter how much effort you’ve made to create a rabbit-safe environment in your garden, it cannot substitute for your watchful gaze.
Much like how you won’t leave a toddler out alone in your garden, your pet baby will also require attention and supervision at all times.
Rabbits are naturally inquisitive and love exploring their environment. When given the freedom, your bunny will tirelessly hop around the premises.
In such situations, rabbits love to climb walls, trees, and any other structure. They will also use any available surface and make attempts to fit through it.
While it’s interesting to witness your rabbit squish their flexible and agile bodies thoroughly holes half their rabbits, it’s not a wise idea to encourage this behavior.
You can look for alternative ways to let your rabbit continue their instinctual digging. Paper bags and cardboard boxes are a good way to keep your rabbit occupied.
So, look for any cardboard laying around your house or invest in a toy before your rabbit creates an underground home in your precious garden!
Keeping Wild Rabbits Away from your Yard/Garden
Many gardeners don’t prefer fences to guard the lawn or garden due to the following reasons:
- The fence can become an eyesore.
- It can affect the beauty of the garden.
- It requires regular maintenance; any negligence can give wrong results.
- It can be costly in both time and money.
Furthermore, fencing may help deter rabbits from entering the garden, but if a rabbit succeeds in breaching the garden fence, we can expect considerable damage to plants within minutes.
So, rabbit repellents can work as alternatives to the fence.
There are different rabbit repellents in the market and garden centers to keep unwanted animals away from the garden.
You can have them according to your requirements. You can also do the following safety measures as repellents:
- Some animals like rabbits keep a sharp sense of smell. They can detect predators as well as food sources. So repellents with scent will prove helpful in this regard. The smell will keep them away from the garden. These repellents also deter animals, especially squirrels.
- As they are great sniffers, you can dust your plants with talcum powder. Another option is to spray the plants, but you will have to do the same again after rainfall because it will remove everything from the plants.
- You can also use banana peels, used coffee grounds, and eggshells. Mix them all and use them around your garden. Ground black or red pepper can also use, which will keep ants away as well. Sprinkle it on the targeted plants or around the garden.
- You have another option of Epsom salt (made up of magnesium, sulfur, and oxygen). It will not only keep away rabbits and groundhogs but also other pests. Epsom salt will also help plants to grow better.
- Mothballs also help keep your garden safe as they have naphthalene and dichlorobenzene, which work as the best repellent for pesky rabbits.
- Always keep the grass short within the garden and remove anything like overgrowing weeds or woodpiles and rocks where rabbits can hide. Rabbits live in areas that protect them from predators.
- Protect the flowers and vegetables with a covering hardware cloth.
If you want to keep your garden safe and protective from rabbits, you must take safety measures to solve the problems.
Make a rabbit-proof fence around the area you want to make protective.
Keep in mind, rabbits can fit through small holes and openings which look smaller than their body size.
They squeeze them while crossing the holes. So, make the fence of a strong wire and protect it from the bottom to make rabbits unsuccessful in their target.
Other articles you may also like:
- How Do Wild Rabbits Stay Warm in the Winter?
- Why do Rabbits Dig at Your Clothes?
- Why is My Rabbit Stomping at Night? 6 Main Reasons!
- Why is My Rabbit So Active at Night?
- Why Do Rabbits Wiggle Their Tails?
- Why does my rabbit runs away from me