Having a pet rabbit can be a wonderful and rewarding experience. Rabbits make affectionate, playful companions when properly cared for. Many rabbit owners allow their rabbits to have free roam of the house or apartment. Some rabbit owners even let their rabbits sleep in bed with them at night. However, there are some important factors to consider before allowing a rabbit to sleep in your bed.
The Pros of Sleeping with Your Rabbit
For some rabbit owners, having their rabbit sleep in bed with them is a nightly ritual that brings them comfort and joy. Here are some potential benefits of sleeping with your bunny:
- Bonding – Sharing a sleeping space can help strengthen the bond between you and your rabbit. The close contact at night allows your rabbit to become more comfortable and trusting of you.
- Affection – Rabbits often enjoy cuddling up with their owners while sleeping. It can be a sweet way for both of you to relax and unwind.
- Supervision – Having your rabbit sleep in bed with you allows you to monitor your rabbit overnight. You may sleep better knowing exactly where they are.
- Exercise – Some active rabbits enjoy jumping off and on the bed throughout the night as a form of exercise.
- Litter habits – A litter-trained rabbit may hop off the bed to use their litter box as needed overnight.
For these reasons, some rabbit owners feel that sleeping with their bunny is beneficial for both human and rabbit. The companionship and bonding can be very rewarding.
The Cons of Sleeping with Your Rabbit
However, there are also some potential downsides to consider before bringing a rabbit into your bed each night:
- Disruption – Rabbits are crepuscular, meaning they are most active at dawn and dusk. A rabbit bounding around the bed can disrupt your sleep.
- Accidents – Rabbits may urinate or defecate on the bed. Even well-litter trained rabbits can have overnight accidents.
- Safety – Rabbits can accidentally get rolled on or smothered if owners toss and turn at night.
- Chewing – Rabbits love to chew and may nibble on sheets, mattresses, bed frames, and pillows.
- Allergies – Rabbit dander and hair can aggravate allergies for sensitive individuals.
- Territorial behavior – Your rabbit may exhibit territoriality over the bed and become aggressive.
These potential risks need to be strongly considered before allowing rabbit/human co-sleeping. Owners need to ensure they provide a safe sleeping environment for their rabbit.
Important Factors for Safe Co-Sleeping
If you want to allow your rabbit into your bed, here are some key factors to support safe, successful co-sleeping:
- Litter training – Ensure your rabbit is fully litter trained before allowing them in your bed. This greatly reduces the risk of overnight accidents.
- Spay/neuter – Altered rabbits typically have better litter habits and are less prone to territorial behavior.
- Protected mattress – Use a mattress protector or pad to protect from chewing damage and accidents.
- Nightly prep – Rabbit-proof the bedroom each evening. Remove or cover any cables, baseboards, etc. that could be chewed.
- Containment – Use a pen, crate, or leash to keep the rabbit safely contained to one side of the bed.
- Supervision – Do not leave young, elderly, or disabled rabbits unattended in the bed due to injury risk.
- Temperature control – Make sure the bedroom is not too hot, cold, or drafty for a rabbit’s comfort.
Following these precautions helps minimize the risks to both human and rabbit during co-sleeping situations. Owners should also be prepared to adjust the arrangements if either the human or the rabbit has trouble adapting to bed sharing.
Establishing a Co-Sleeping Routine
Introducing a rabbit to co-sleeping takes patience and training. Here are some tips for establishing a good routine:
- Start slow – Begin by having the rabbit sleep in a pen beside the bed. Slowly move the pen onto the bed over multiple weeks.
- Set boundaries – Teach the rabbit which parts of the bed are off-limits. Use treats to reward good behavior.
- Positive reinforcement – Always praise and reward the rabbit for staying on the designated side of the bed.
- Consistency – Stick to the same nightly routine for putting the rabbit to bed. This helps them learn expectations.
- Crate train – Teach the rabbit to sleep in a crate on the bed if less space is needed.
- Exercise – Make sure the rabbit gets plenty of evening exercise to tire them out for sleep.
- Night light – Use a low night light so the rabbit can see and navigate at night if needed.
With time and positive reinforcement, many rabbits can learn to happily and safely spend nights in their owner’s beds. But owners should be patient with training and willing to go slowly during the transition.
Suitability for Different Rabbits
Co-sleeping will not be appropriate for every rabbit. Here are some considerations regarding rabbit suitability:
| Rabbit Factors | Good Candidates for Co-Sleeping? |
|---|---|
| Litter habits | Rabbits who are fully litter trained |
| Age | Typically adults and senior rabbits |
| Health issues | Healthy rabbits without mobility issues |
| Breed size | Larger breeds with space to move |
| Activity level | Lower energy rabbits vs. highly active |
| Personality | Affectionate, people-oriented personalities |
The individual personality of each rabbit plays a big role in determining suitability for co-sleeping. Some rabbits love the intimacy while others prefer their own space. Be guided by what your individual rabbit seems most comfortable with.
Alternatives to Full Co-Sleeping
If allowing your rabbit full access to your bed at night does not seem ideal, there are some alternative options:
Attached Playpen
You can attach an exercise pen or portable fencing to the side of your bed. This allows the rabbit to be on the bed with you but in their own defined space.
Co-Sleeping Pet Tent
Small pop-up tents designed just for pets can be placed on or next to your bed. The rabbit has a familiar enclosed space while still being close to you.
Crating
A properly sized crate placed on or next to the bed confines the rabbit at night but allows them to see, hear, and smell you nearby.
Room Sharing
Free-roaming the rabbit at night in your bedroom provides companionship without direct bed sharing. Just be sure to fully rabbit-proof the room.
These options allow safe closeness and bonding at night without full bed access. Choose the method that best fits you and your rabbit’s needs and preferences.
Health Risks of Rabbit/Human Bed Sharing
There are some potential health risks to consider as well when deciding if bed sharing is appropriate:
- Respiratory infections – Sleeping too close to rabbits can increase human exposure to the bacteria Bordetella bronchiseptica that causes respiratory illness.
- Ringworm – Ringworm fungal spores can be transferred from rabbits to humans through close contact.
- Allergies – Dander, fur, hay dust, and other allergens may trigger allergic reactions in sensitive people.
- Parasites – Fleas and mites can move between rabbit hosts and humans sharing a bed.
- Joint pain – The weight of a human shifting at night can injure a rabbit’s fragile bones and joints.
For people with compromised immune systems or respiratory issues, bed sharing may pose too much risk. Consult your doctor if you have any concerns regarding health risks and rabbit co-sleeping.
Conclusion
At the end of the day, the decision about whether to share your bed with a rabbit comes down to your individual situation. For some rabbit owners, bed sharing is a mutually enjoyable bonding experience. But it requires an investment of time and training to do it safely. And it simply won’t be a good fit for every human/rabbit pairing.
By weighing the pros and cons objectively, setting up a safe environment, introducing co-sleeping gradually, and monitoring both the rabbit’s and your comfort, you can determine if rabbit bed sharing is right for you. Pay close attention to your rabbit’s personality and cues. And be willing to make adjustments as needed to ensure good rest for all.