As with most outdoor wooden products, the lifespan of your hutch or run can be significantly extended by taking a few simple, practical steps.

The guidance below reflects the same advice we would give if you asked us directly.

It’s based on many years of experience, real-world use, and feedback from thousands of customers, and it’s intended to help keep your hutch in good condition and your pets safe, comfortable, and healthy.

Protecting and maintaining the timber

Your wooden hutch or run is supplied with a base coat of preservative.

This provides initial protection against rot and insect attack, helping to protect the timber itself while also giving it its base colour.

The timber we use is chosen for its suitability for outdoor use and natural durability. However, like all outdoor wooden products, further treatment is an important part of long-term use.

Once in use outdoors, applying an additional protective treatment to the external surfaces makes a noticeable difference over time and is well worth the effort.

A good-quality exterior wood preservative or stain helps protect against rain, UV exposure, and general weathering.

We also recommend treating the undersides of the roof panels, as these areas are more likely to be exposed to condensation during colder months.

As a general guide, treating your hutch within the first year and then reapplying every 12 to 24 months, depending on exposure and conditions, helps maintain protection and appearance.

Some owners prefer to apply the first full treatment straight away while the hutch is still clean and dry, while others choose to wait until late summer or early autumn.

Both approaches work well and largely come down to personal preference.

If no further treatment is applied, the base coat will gradually fade, and the timber will weather more quickly.

For external surfaces, widely available exterior wood treatments such as Cuprinol or Ronseal are commonly used.

For internal areas, a water-based, breathable, animal-safe wood treatment is recommended, as this allows moisture to escape while reducing condensation-related issues.

Lubricating metal parts

Locks, hinges, and roof stays benefit from occasional lubrication. Keeping these parts lightly lubricated helps them move freely and reduces wear over time.

A light spray of a general-purpose lubricant, such as WD-40, is usually sufficient. This is particularly helpful in damp or cold conditions, where metal parts can otherwise stiffen or seize.

If hinges or roof stays are allowed to seize, there is a risk of forcing or damaging the roof panel when opening it.

Applying a small amount of lubricant around once a month is usually enough for most outdoor settings.

Always ensure pets are not inside the hutch while lubricating, and wipe away any excess product afterwards.

Positioning your hutch

Where your hutch is positioned plays a major role in how well it performs outdoors.

We recommend placing the hutch in a sheltered location, protected from prevailing wind and driving rain.

In the UK, storms with strong gusts are common and can place strain on hutches that are exposed or poorly positioned.

This is not just about protecting the hutch itself. Pets may be inside at the time.

During periods of particularly severe weather, it can be sensible to move pets indoors temporarily until conditions improve.

It is also worth checking that doors are not facing directly into the prevailing wind, as driving rain can be blown underneath during storms.

A common mistake we see is positioning the hutch tightly against a wall, fence panel, or in a corner to try to provide shelter.

While this can seem sensible, these areas often become cold spots in winter with very little air movement.

Trapped cold, damp air significantly increases the likelihood of condensation and surface mould forming inside the hutch.

Allowing space around the hutch for gentle airflow, even in a sheltered spot, makes a big difference during colder months.

During colder months, small amounts of condensation can naturally occur in any outdoor wooden hutch, particularly where airflow is limited.

With correct positioning, good ventilation, and routine care, this is usually easy to manage and rarely becomes a problem.

Positioning the hutch with enough space around it also makes it easier to remove and refit a hutch cover, if one is used.

Our hutch covers are very popular and provide effective protection from wind and rain when used correctly.

They are designed to be breathable, but if you choose not to use one, it is important to avoid fully covering the hutch with non-breathable materials such as tarpaulins.

Also, bear in mind that in warmer months, leaving any cover on continuously can cause temperatures inside the hutch to rise quickly.

For this reason, covers should be removed during warm or sunny conditions and used only when protection from wind or rain is needed.

It is important to allow both the cover and the hutch to air out regularly, particularly after prolonged wet or damp weather.

We highly recommend removing the cover after prolonged wet or damp weather and allowing both the cover and the hutch to dry out completely before refitting.

Leaving a damp cover in place restricts air movement and traps cool, moist air against the timber, creating ideal conditions for naturally occurring mould spores present in the environment to develop.

Regular drying helps prevent this and reduces the long-term deterioration of both the cover and the hutch.

Cleaning, airflow and routine hutch care

Regular cleaning forms an important part of normal hutch care and helps keep your hutch in good condition while supporting your pet’s comfort and health.

We recommend spot cleaning your hutch daily to remove wet or soiled bedding, old food, and any obvious build-up.

Water bottles or bowls should be emptied, rinsed, and refilled, and any uneaten fresh food removed.

This routine helps keep moisture levels down and makes deeper cleaning much easier.

A more thorough clean should be carried out around once a week for most hutches.

During a full clean, all bedding, hay, and accessories should be removed, and the inside of the hutch should be wiped down and disinfected thoroughly.

Pay particular attention to corners and the undersides of roof panels, as these are naturally cooler areas where moisture can collect, and cleaning is often overlooked.

Always use an animal-safe disinfectant and allow all surfaces to dry fully before replacing bedding.

We use a simple 50/50 mix of white vinegar and water, as it is inexpensive, easy to use, and very effective for routine cleaning.

Using the mixture in a spray bottle also makes it easier to reach corners, joins, and other harder-to-access areas.

Used diluted and allowed to dry fully, this can help remove residues and minor surface mould, reducing the likelihood of it returning as part of regular maintenance.

Whenever the weather allows, it is beneficial to open doors, lift roof panels, or temporarily remove covers so the hutch can dry out fully, particularly after prolonged wet or damp weather.

Regular drying, combined with routine cleaning, greatly reduces the likelihood of moisture build-up and surface mould developing.

Preventing capillary action on roof panels

During prolonged wet weather, rainwater can sometimes be drawn under the roof edging by capillary action.

This may appear as damp patches on the underside of roof panels, particularly near the edges.

The roof panel is the most exposed part of the hutch, taking the full impact of rain, wind, and sun throughout the year.

Taking a small extra step to protect the roof is inexpensive and can make a noticeable difference to long-term durability.

For felt-covered roofs, any sealant used should be a suitable bitumen-based or felt-compatible product, as standard silicone sealants are not designed for this purpose.

Applying a thin bead of the correct sealant along the join between the felt and the roof edging helps prevent water from being drawn back underneath during periods of very heavy or prolonged rain.

We have tested several felt-compatible sealants and found the following two brands to perform very well, with this one proving the easiest to apply in most situations.

Running a small line of sealant along the underside edge of the felt can also create a simple drip line, allowing water to fall away rather than wick back into the panel.

This reduces the chance of moisture being absorbed into the finished underside of the roof panel by capillary action.

Treating the underside of roof panels with a breathable, water-based wood stain or sealer is also a relatively low-cost and highly effective way to add extra protection.

Taken together, these simple steps go a long way towards protecting one of the hardest-working parts of the hutch.

Preventing chewing damage

Chewing is a natural and important behaviour for rabbits and other rodents.

Some rabbits may chew parts of their hutch, and if chewing continues in the same area over time, this can weaken the timber and reduce the protection it provides.

Taking preventative measures before chewing starts is usually the most sensible approach.

Rabbits have strong teeth and can cause significant damage surprisingly quickly if chewing is allowed to continue in one area.

Fitting anti-chew strips or similar protection in vulnerable areas before damage occurs can save time, cost, and effort in the long run.

These measures are particularly useful on exposed edges, corners, and door frames where chewing most commonly occurs.

If part of a hutch or run becomes heavily chewed, its strength can be reduced, which may leave pets more vulnerable.

In these situations, replacing the affected panel or component is recommended rather than attempting to patch damaged timber.

We keep a range of spare panels and parts in stock and can usually help arrange a suitable replacement if needed.

Further information on available spares can be found here: Spare parts.

For additional advice on reducing chewing behaviour and protecting vulnerable areas, please see our Chewing Prevention Tips Guide.

It outlines practical positioning, enrichment, and protection methods that can significantly reduce chewing damage.

Addressing chewing early helps protect the hutch, avoids unnecessary repairs, and keeps your pets safe.

Foxes and other predators

If your rabbits or guinea pigs are kept outdoors, protection from foxes and other animals is an essential consideration.

In the UK, foxes are common and represent the greatest risk to outdoor pets.

While we use thicker timber, strong wire, and secure fixings, no wooden hutch can be guaranteed to be completely predator-proof.

Our hutches are built to a higher standard than many others in this price range, but a determined fox can still cause significant damage while attempting to gain entry.

Good positioning, secure fixings, and sensible daily and nighttime routines all play an important role in reducing risk.

If you know foxes frequent your property, or are likely to do so, we do not recommend keeping rabbits outdoors overnight when fox activity is typically highest.

At night, always ensure pets are securely locked in and that doors, bolts, and catches are properly engaged.

Additional measures, such as placing the hutch within a secure run or using extra ground-level protection, can provide further peace of mind.

We strongly recommend reading our dedicated fox-protection guide, which explains practical steps you can take to reduce risk further.

You can find our full fox-protection guide here: Fox protection guide.

Understanding the risks and taking sensible precautions is a key part of keeping outdoor pets safe.

Final thoughts

We hope you have found this guide helpful and easy to follow.

The guidance above reflects what we would recommend based on many years of experience and day-to-day use.

Looking after your hutch or run is really just part of looking after your pet.

Keeping it clean, well-positioned, and properly maintained helps provide a safe, comfortable, and healthy home.

If you ever have questions or would like advice, just get in touch. We are always happy to help.