Is it Safe to Leave Your Pets Out Overnight?

A number of predators are nocturnal, so you might wonder if it’s safe to leave your pets out overnight. 

The answer is yes, but it’s important to take precautions.

What Your Pet Needs to be Safe Overnight

First, your pet needs a large, secure hutch or other enclosure. By “secure,” we mean:

• Locking doors, roof and trap doors
• Predator-proofing
• A nest box or other enclosed hiding area

Make sure that you lock all doors, trap doors, windows, and the roof if it opens.

Also, look into predator-proofing. Purchase a hutch with chew-resistant wire, and make an effort to dig-proof your enclosure. 

Hutch Covers are not just for the weather

You can increase security further by putting a hutch cover over your hutch at night. This puts an extra barrier between predators and your pet. Lower the front of the hutch cover so that it covers doors and windows.

Providing your pet with plenty of bedding can help in two ways. First, your pet can build a nest, where they can feel safe and be out of sight. Also, bedding can help to insulate your pet against cold weather.

A Hutch is Not Enough

A good hutch is a good beginning. But it’s only a beginning. Think of it like a teenager’s bedroom. You want them to be comfortable and have what they need. But you also want them to spend as much time as possible outside, exploring and getting plenty of exercise.

A run can provide your pets with space for exercise and play. Many of our runs work with our hutches to provide a continuous living-and-playing area during the day. Just make sure that after you tuck your pets in at night, you lock hutch access behind them.

Read more about keeping your pets safe and happy outdoors at our blog.