Do
indoor bunnies
need a cage?
Does My Rabbit Need a Cage? Your rabbit does not need a cage However, an untrained rabbit probably should be kept in a home-base of some kind, like an exercise pen (x-pen), a large cage, or some other protected housing, while you’re not home to supervise and at night when you sleep.
How do you make a homemade rabbit house?
A rabbit cage should include an area that’s elevated from the ground and offers the rabbits shelter. Lay a piece of plywood that measures 3 feet (0.91 m) by 2 feet (0.61 m) across the bottom frame on one side. Then use wood screws to secure it into place.
What size cage do indoor rabbits need?
The Rabbit Welfare Association and Fund recommends that your rabbit’s hutch be large enough for “three hops” from end to end. That means a minimum of six feet long by two feet high by two feet deep A 6ft x 2ft x 2ft hutch will allow your rabbit to hop, stand up, stretch, and move around comfortably.
Can you use a dog crate for a rabbit?
Metal dog crates or kennels are excellent for rabbit cages We recommend 48-inch or 54-inch crates.
What do you put in bottom of rabbit cage?
But if your cage or enclosure has a wire or
plastic floor
, then you’ll need to take measures to protect your bunnies’ feet. Cardboard, hay, and paper make excellent flooring for a cage or hutch. You probably already have some in your home right now. Wood bedding, marmoleum, and fleece work well, too.
What is the best flooring for a rabbit cage?
- Rugs and Carpets: Ideal for Free-roaming Buns.
- Vinyl Flooring: The Best Flooring for Rabbit Cages, Pens, and Hutches.
-
Straw and
grass mats
: Functional and Chewable.
What should rabbits sleep on?
The best bedding for rabbits can help to keep your
pet healthy
for longer. A rabbit’s bedding must keep them safe, comfortable, and warm. Rabbits often eat their bedding, so it cannot be toxic. Shredded paper, Aspen shreds,
specialist litter
or pellets, and hay are all safe options.
Do rabbits like blankets over their cage?
All domesticated rabbits like blankets and pillows in the home You’ll likely be tempted to place similar items in your pet’s hutch for added comfort. Blankets and towels are great additions to a rabbit’s home. Just avoid old, threadbare blankets with holes as paws can be trapped.
Do rabbits get cold at night?
Rabbits are cold weather animals They’re highly temperature resistant, and can handle temperatures down to almost 30 o F (-2 o C). With a well-insulated hutch, they’ll be fine even in near-freezing conditions. You can always check by measuring their temperature – which should be between 101-103 o F (38-39.5 o C).
Should you cover a rabbit cage at night?
In the daytime, keep the front of the hutch uncovered for ventilation purposes. It is fine to cover more of the hutch during the night but you should still leave a small area open for ventilation Add extra bedding for your bunny to snuggle into. This can be lined underneath with newspaper for increased insulation.
How do you make a natural rabbit habitat?
Piling limbs and brush materials alongside trees and fence lines will create perfect shelters for wild rabbits. Letting vegetation grow instead of mowing weedy areas will also improve shelters for rabbits. Any briar and brush patches that are allowed to grow will create nesting and escape areas for wild rabbits.
What do bunnies need in their cage?
- A spacious and secure hutch
- Bedding materials
- Litter trays and fillings
- Plenty of hay and other food
- A food bowl or dispenser
- A bottle or water bowl
- Toys
- Rabbit-safe cleaning products.
Is it cruel to keep rabbits in a hutch?
Generally speaking – No, keeping a rabbit in a cage is not cruel But it depends on the cage. In fact, it is usually the opposite. It is cruel to leave our pet rabbit outdoors in an open space, unsupervised and at risk of being injured or attacked by predators.
How tall should a rabbit pen be?
We recommend a 30″ height, 36″ for jumpers One of the eight panels acts as a swinging door when opened, and the pen is secured shut with large dog leash clips that come with the panels. Note: the wire slats of the pen must be close enough together so that a tiny rabbit cannot walk through!.
Should a rabbit hutch be off the ground?
The hutch should be raised off the ground on legs to repel predators and prevent the base becoming sodden wet The roof should be sloping to allow rain run off and covered with roofing felt to keep the hutch watertight.
How high can bunnies jump?
A rabbit can leap as high as four feet , if they’re sufficiently determined. This means that you’ll need to take some safety precautions for your pet. Ensure that any garden fences are high to prevent an escape.
How long does a bunny live?
Rabbits, just like other domesticated animals, have an average lifespan which can help an owner keep their bunny in optimum health in every stage of life. Unlike their wild relatives, who live for an average of one to two years, domesticated rabbits can live between eight to 12 years.
How do you toilet train a bunny?
- Fill the bottom of the litter box with a layer of pellets – about an inch deep
- Place the litter box in a corner of your rabbit’s cage
- Keep your rabbit in her cage until she’s using her litter box reliably
- When she’s ready, let your rabbit have time out of her cage.
Do wire cages hurt rabbits feet?
Wire Bottom Cages are known to cause sore hocks & calluses , however, rabbits kept outside that have a solid bottom cage are prone to having worm and other parasite issues.
Do indoor rabbits smell?
No they don’t ! Rabbits themselves are very clean animals with odourless fur and they fastidiously groom themselves all day. Only their urine smells so as long as you keep their living area clean (spot clean every few days and a full clean-out once a week) you shouldn’t have a problem.
Is it cruel to keep a rabbit outside?
Rabbits can thrive both inside and out – as long as they live in a warm, comfortable hutch, sleep in good bedding and have a cosy companion to snuggle up to.
How much space does 2 rabbits need?
One to two medium sized rabbits will need a cage/hutch space of at least 12 square feet, combined with a run of at least 27 square feet The front of the hutch should be long enough for two rabbits to lie down end-to-end.
Do rabbits get lonely?
In the wild, rabbits live in big groups and they enjoy being with friends who will play with them, groom them, understand them and look out for them. So if these sociable animals are kept on their own, they may become bored, depressed, and very lonely.
Do rabbits need a hideaway?
Because rabbits are prey animals, they have a need to have a safe, covered placed to hide if they’re feeling stressed or bothered by the rest of the family Your bunnies need at a minimum one hideout in their cage/home and one hideout in their play space.
Do rabbits like hammocks?
Hammocks: While neither one of our bunnies would ever willingly hop onto a moving surface, some rabbits enjoy the comforts of a hammock There are different versions out there, but we like the one that looks like a mini side table with a hammock underneath.
How do you keep a rabbit in your bedroom?
They can live free-reign in a bunny proofed room/rooms, or they can be contained within a puppy pen, bunny condo, or large rabbit cage If contained, their space should always be large enough so they can hop around, and they should be let out of their pen for at least a few hours everyday for exercise.
Is it OK to put newspaper in a rabbit cage?
Newspaper. This is a good base to line the floor of the hutch or cage with However, many rabbits, especially if bored, will rip it up and the ink on newspaper can be harmful to rabbits if they ingest too much of it.
How do I keep my indoor rabbit cage from smelling?
Clumping litter, clay litter, pine or cedar shavings, or deodorized/scented litter. Powdered litter fresheners that contain baking powder. Ventilate the house (but be wary of draughts). Use an air ionizer to eliminate odors.
Are grass mats good for rabbits?
Grass mat is a highly sustainable,can also be placed inside a cage, due to its small size, perfect for small animals like guinea pig, rabbits, dogs, chinchillas, goffins, hamsters, cockatoos, cats, grays, amazons, eclectus, and macaws If your bunny loves to dig and chew, the all-natural grass mat is ideal.
Is carpet good for rabbits?
Carpet squares are good for some rabbits If they chew on the carpet, you must remove it immediately or risk the rabbit getting an intestinal blockage. Solid Flooring: Wire or wire-like flooring is not comfortable for your rabbit or good for their feet.
Is carpet okay for rabbits?
Carpet fibers can collect in bunny’s stomach, causing a blockage that can be fatal To protect carpeted home areas, try a big piece of linoleum or plastic runners with carpeting or straw mats over it. YOUR RABBIT SHOULD NEVER BE ALLOWED TO CONSUME ANY NON-NATURAL MATERIALS.
Should a rabbit hutch be on grass or concrete?
Rabbits with enclosures on concrete, slabs or decking (or in grass runs with a wire mesh skirt around the perimeter) will not be able to dig out, making them more secure.
Can I keep my rabbit in a cardboard box?
Yes, but be careful with the amount of cardboard that they eat Probably the reason why pet rabbits love to eat cardboard is that it packs on cellulose, which is a significant component of leaves and vegetables that they eat. However, this does not tell us that cardboards can be meal replacements.
Can rabbits have cardboard boxes?
As long as the cardboard has no coating or ink, it’s non-toxic and safe for rabbits to chew on However, even plain cardboard can be bad for rabbits’ digestion if they consume too much. Excessive amounts of cardboard can cause intestinal blockages.
Can rabbit eat cardboard boxes?
It is okay for a rabbit to eat cardboard You don’t want the cardboard to be a main source of food, of course, but ingesting cardboard in small amounts is not harmful to your rabbit. Cardboard is actually great for your rabbit to chew on to wear down their teeth. It’s normal for them to eat a little while chewing.
Do rabbits need night lights?
Rabbits do not need a nightlight Patterns of natural light and darkness are very important to your rabbit’s overall health and habits so it’s best not to introduce artificial light at night whenever possible. However, If natural light is unavailable, A dim night may be comforting and will not harm your rabbit.
Do rabbits like mirrors?
Rabbits do not recognize their own reflections. When your rabbit sees a mirror, she will believe it’s another rabbit. According to Animal Welfare, most single rabbits take pleasure from mirrors Rabbits dislike living alone.
Citations
https://www.wikihow.com/Build-an-Indoor-Rabbit-Cage
50 Free DIY Rabbit Hutch Plans & Ideas to Get You Started Keeping Rabbits