How to Build A Bunny Dreamhouse

In this tutorial, you will learn how to make an abode for your house rabbit that will allow her or him to dig, chew, burrow, jump, discover, and just have lots of fun. Get ready for bunny box extreeeeeeme!

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• 4 or 5 large cardboard boxes (try your local BJ's or Costco if you don't have any around the house)
• Scissors
• Exacto or Utility Knife
• Small Piece of Carpet
• Twine, Yarn, or Crochet Thread
• Large Needle (that the previous will fit through)
• Paper and other chewing and digging materials for the inside of the boxes (empty toilet paper rolls, old phone book, willow tunnel, toys, etc.)

1. First, make sure that there are no staples, random pieces of tape, or other non-cardboard features on your cardboard boxes. If they are taped shut, then pull off the tape, and close all but one side using the "tucking" method.

2. 
    
   Box 1 with digging and chewing contents

   Next, gather some of the paper materials for your Digging Box. Place them inside of the box, and then close it.

3. 
    
   Round breakthrough door

   Take your exacto knife and cut the door's perimeter only half-deep into the box. Then, make a few cuts into the middle, so that your bunny can have a place to grab on and pull back. I call these "Breakthrough" doors, because they allow your bunny to have fun trying to get it open.

4. Make your Rest & Relaxation box by following steps 1 and 3. You can put paper inside, or an old shirt or sweatshirt for your rabbit to sleep on.

5. 
    
   Slotted outer box

   Congratulations on making your first 2 bunny boxes! Now, it's time for some reinforcement. Because bunnies love to dig and rip cardboard apart, your box will last longer if you "double box." Cut slots on the top of your outer box.

6. 
    
   Tabbed R&R box

   Then, cut tabs out of the ceiling of the R&R room. Additionally, cut a hole so that the bunnies can climb from the 1st floor R&R room to the second floor. Repeat for the Digging Box.

7. 
    
   R&R and Digging Box inside larger Outer Box

   After creating the tabs, slots, and holes, assemble your first floor. Put the boxes inside the outer box, pulling the tabs through and making sure the ceiling holes in the boxes line up with the ceiling holes in the outer box.

8. 
    
   Tunnel box w/ willow tunnel

   Tunnel Box: If you would like to make a tunnel box, get a willow tunnel (which can be purchased at busybunny.com and stick it inside a long box. Close it up and there you have it.

9. 
    
   Sewing on the carpet

   Now, to add the jumping feature, start poking holes in a row along the edges of the ceiling of the tunnel box, and along the sides towards the top.

10. 
     
    Top of carpeted tunnel box

    Grab your giant needle, thread it, and start sewing on your carpet by taking the needle from the top, through the carpet, through a ceiling hole, and then diagonally through a side hole. Continue the process until you've got it all done.

11. 
     
    First story

    Good job! Now, connect the tunnel box to the Digging Box using the tab and slot method.

12. 
     
    Top of outer box

    Continue with the tab and slot method to create a strong bond between the first and second stories. Shown here is a picture of the top of the outer box.

13. 
     
    Complete Bunny Dreamhouse

    Put holes into the floor of your upper story box, making sure they line up with the ceiling of the R&R room and the Digging Box. Connect the 2nd story to the 1st story, and there you have it. The Bunny Dreamhouse!

14. 
     
    One of my bunnies in the Bunny Dreamhouse

    Now, let your bunny explore!

Tips & Warnings

• The "tucking" method for closing boxes: 1) Bend down the right corner on each of the 4 flaps on one side of the box. 2) Take two adjacent flaps and start to close them, making sure that a bent flap is headed under the non-bent side of the other flap. 3) Before totally pressing flaps closed, bring the other two in, pushing each bent flap under the unbent side of its adjacent flap.
• Make sure that everything in your box is chewable and non-toxic to rabbits. If you suspect that your rabbit actually eats (swallows) paper and cardboard, as opposed to just chewing it, do not give your bunny a bunny box.
• Place your Bunny Dreamhouse in a secure place, ideally in the corner of a room, to prevent swaying, tilting, or toppling.
• Make sure that EVERY part of the dreamhouse is chewable and will not harm your bunny.

Resources

• Busy Bunny Toys and Treats
• House Rabbit Website

[Starwalker]

on 8/15/2008 This is fantastic!! My 3 bunnies will love you forever. Now I just have to further clean out my garage so I have room for it.

[sunshine3p]

on 7/16/2008 cool. thanks!