Playpen Setup for Senior and Disabled Rabbits
Senior and disabled rabbits often need a little extra support to stay comfortable, mobile, and safe, especially on slick floors or carpet. A thoughtfully set up playpen can make a huge difference in their quality of life by providing traction, padding, and gentle boundaries.
This setup allows you to meet their needs while keeping them safe, comfortable, and as independent as possible and it’s a great example of how small adjustments can make a big difference for senior and disabled rabbits.
Here’s how to set up a 4x6 playpen designed specifically with senior and mobility-challenged rabbits in mind.
Step 1: Protect the Floor
Start with a tarp to protect your carpet from accidents, spills, or general messes. This creates a waterproof base and makes cleanup much easier, especially for rabbits with limited mobility or incontinence issues.
Step 2: Add Foam Padding for Joint Support
Next, lay down interlocking foam padding (the puzzle-piece style). These provide excellent cushioning for aging joints and help absorb pressure when rabbits are resting or moving around.
You can find these at Harbor Freight, and they fit perfectly underneath this setup. For this pen, the foam padding sits under an entire 4x6 footprint of the enclosure.
Find the foam padding here
Step 3: Set Up the Playpen
Use a standard 4x4 exercise pen and attach two extra panels to extend it into a 4x6 playpen. This gives rabbits enough space to move comfortably without feeling overwhelmed, while still keeping everything contained and easy to access for caregivers.
Step 4: Add a Protective Absorbent Layer
Once the pen is in place, layer potty pads over the foam padding. You can use disposable potty pads or reusable washable pads — both work well.
This layer helps manage accidents and protects the foam underneath, which is especially helpful for rabbits who may struggle to reach the litter box consistently.
Step 5: Add Soft, Grippy Blankets
On top of the potty pads, place two Sheepskin blankets . These blankets offer great traction while still being soft and cozy for sensitive feet and joints. This material is a game-changer for senior rabbits as it wicks away moisture - keeping the area, and bunnies, cleaner.
Lay the blankets side by side, allowing them to overlap slightly in the middle. Then tuck the edges under the sides of the playpen to keep them from shifting or bunching up.
In this setup, there’s a small uncovered gap at one end of the pen — this is intentional and will be used later for the litter box and a carpet runner.
Find the Sheepskin Blankets on Amazon here
Step 6: Create Soft Bumpers for Safety
To help prevent rolling, slipping, or bumping into metal bars, add soft bumpers around the inside edges of the pen.
These bumpers are made from Mainstays fleece blankets from Walmart. Fold each blanket lengthwise to create thick, padded strips. Then gently weave the ends between the playpen bars to secure them in place.
These bumpers provide extra padding for rabbits who may tip over, have weak balance, or need support while resting. (See photos for examples of placement and weaving.)
Find the Mainstays Fleece Blankets here
Step 7: Add the Litter Box and Carpet Runner
Finally, place the litter box (which is a concrete mixing tub found at Harbor Freight) in the uncovered area of the pen. To bridge any remaining gaps and provide traction leading into the box, add a carpet runner.
The runner helps rabbits maintain their footing and makes it easier for them to enter and exit the litter box without slipping.
Find the Concrete Mixing Tub at Harbor Freight
Litter Box with Ramps
For special-needs or senior rabbits who still have enough mobility to use a litter box, we recommend a low-entry box like the one shown, with bumpers along the sides. Rolled fleece blankets or towels can be used to create gentle ramps, making it easier for them to step in and out while preventing little legs from catching on the edges.
Find the low entry litter box here
This setup creates a playpen that is:
Soft and supportive for aging joints
Slip-resistant for weak or unsteady rabbits
Easy to clean and maintain
Adaptable for different mobility needs
Every rabbit is different, so feel free to adjust materials and spacing based on your rabbit’s specific challenges. A few thoughtful layers can go a long way in keeping senior and disabled rabbits safe, comfortable, and confident in their space.
