If the weather is often harsh where you live, then an indoor enclosure can protect your rabbits from the elements. On the other hand, everybunny loves fresh air and access to the great outdoors. Either way, though, there are a few things to consider. Finding the perfect spot for your indoor rabbit hutch setup can be a balancing game.
On one hand, rabbits need quiet and calm. Rabbits are nervous by nature, and constant loud noise and disruption can cause them stress. On the other hand, rabbits are also very social and hate to be lonely. Put your rabbit hutch in an area where people pass through regularly. Find opportunities to bring your rabbits into the family circle. For example, you could set up an exercise pen in the living room in the evenings, when the family comes together to watch TV.
For outdoor rabbits, the most important thing is protection from the elements. Rabbits are particularly sensitive to heat. They can also suffer from rain and wind gusts. And if your hutch or its contents get wet and stay wet, harmful mould and mildew can grow. In addition to a secure, protective hutch, your rabbit should have a run for exercise. Rabbits love grass. Place the run over grass if you can. But also take measures to make it dig-proof and predator-proof.
A connected hutch and run can give your rabbit exercise space and outdoor access during the day. At night, simply close off access to the run to create a safe and secure sleeping area. Where you place your hutch is only the beginning. Make sure your enclosure is well set-up inside, too. It can also provide extra warmth when temperatures drop. The important thing is to make sure any bedding is processed to mitigate dust.
A water bottle can provide your rabbits with clean water on demand. Check your water bottles every day to ensure that there is enough water.
This is especially important in hot climates. Also, wipe the nozzle well once a day with a clean, damp cloth to keep it clean. Supplement the hay with rabbit-safe vegetables and greens, and pellets. Some rabbits will turn their noses up at hay if pellets are provided on demand. If your rabbit does this, try feeding fewer pellets and more hay. Adult rabbits are capable of getting all of their nutrients from high quality hay.
Nobody likes to be bored, and that includes rabbits. Make sure that your enclosure has a variety of toys, puzzles, and boredom busters. They will chew just about anything though a particular favorite appears to be electrical and data cords.
So make sure that anything you give them is chew-safe. Finally, as social as rabbits are, they also need their peace and quiet time. Your rabbit enclosure should have a bunny box or other area where your rabbit can go to be alone and out of sight. Your setup needs to be large enough to allow your rabbit to engage in natural behaviours such as jumping, running, and digging. A rabbit hutch should provide a minimum of 1. A rabbit should have enough room to complete three jumps from end to end.
Your rabbit will need a lot of room for exercise. A run can provide that. As with your hutch, make sure your run is well shaded. Take care to predator-proof and dig-proof your run. Make sure the room is free of wires, sharp edges, small toys, and other objects that could harm your rabbit.
Part 3. Line the cage with bedding. A rabbit needs a thick cushion of bedding to protect their legs from sores. The bigger the rabbit, the deeper the bedding. Materials commonly used for bedding include straw, sawdust or hay. Of these, straw is best because it is springy and soft, plus in winter it holds heat.
Straw is also safe if the rabbit chews it. For a regular sized bunny provide at least 5 - 6 inches of bedding, more for bigger animals. Although your rabbit may be house-trained, it's not advisable to line the cage with carpet, as this could cause a bowel obstruction if chewed. Spot clean the bedding every day, by scooping out areas soiled with urine or pellets, then replacing with clean straw.
Ideally, clean the cage out completely once a week. Rabbits will chew a blanket or bed, so it's better to provide an especially deep and snuggly pile of straw within a box or hide. Fill the litter box with a layer of newspaper, nontoxic litter, and a top layer of hay. Change out the hay daily, and change the rest of the litter box weekly. Do not use cat litter, especially clumping litter, as it can be fatal to rabbits.
Provide food for your rabbit. Grass is the ideal food for rabbits, and hay is an excellent substitute. Where possible, feed your rabbit on hay alone, that way their teeth will be kept in perfect order and they won't become overweight. Give a daily treat of fresh fruit or vegetables, but try to give something different every day to create a balanced diet. If you have more than one rabbit, provide one bowl for each bunny, plus a spare. Situate the bowls around the cage so that one rabbit cannot monopolize all the bowls.
Provide water for your rabbit. Bowls of water can easily be tipped over or soiled with pellets, so sipper drinkers are preferable. Change the water every day so that it is always fresh. Also wash the drinker daily, and never use a drinker that is discolored by algae.
For more than one rabbit, provide a drinker at either end of the cage. Put some fun toys in the cage. Toys provide enrichment and entertainment for rabbits. Provide toys for the rabbit to play with, such as cardboard tubes or cardboard boxes with holes cut in them. Some rabbits will even play with toy such as a ball with a bell inside.
Rabbits love to chew so provide some sturdy branches of orchard woods apple, pear, plum, cherry or you can purchase commercial rabbit chews from a pet store.
Publisher: Butterworth-Heinemann When choosing toys, make sure they are rabbit-safe. A good toy is a cardboard box filled with shredded paper and dry hay. Your bunny would love to dig through that. Not necessarily, as long as the rabbit can access them easily. If you are using a water bowl rather than a bottle sipper then it can be helpful to have it a short distance away, so as to reduce the chance of contamination with kibble.
Not Helpful 14 Helpful Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. By using this service, some information may be shared with YouTube. Do not play with newborn rabbits outside of its cage for around weeks. Helpful 32 Not Helpful 4. Many rabbits can be trained to be "house bunnies" and enjoy the freedom of roaming the house on their own.
Helpful 35 Not Helpful 5. A good way to clean your cage is with white vinegar mixed with water. It is non-toxic, and gets the job done. Helpful 32 Not Helpful 6. Helpful 16 Not Helpful 2.
Be careful to use a padded flooring on the cage rather than a wire. Wire hurts the paws. Helpful 30 Not Helpful 7. You should keep your rabbit in its cage for the first three to four days. Helpful 34 Not Helpful 9. Add up how much it will cost before you buy it because it can get expensive.
Helpful 12 Not Helpful 4. Related wikiHows How to. How to. More References 1. Rabbits are pretty flexible, and if you watch your bunny closely, you will see what they prefer in their sleeping area. Some like boxes filled with hay, while others like to curl up with old towels or sheets for a nap. Some rabbits will readily train to use a litter pan, but others are a little more stubborn. See which corner of the enclosure your rabbit choses to eliminate in.
They are quicker to use a corner of their own choosing than the one you prefer. Low-sided pans such as the Puppy Pan for dogs, cat and small animals are often preferred, but you may need to try a few different styles to see what your rabbit prefers. Just be sure your bunny does not eat it! For my rabbit cage setup, I generally will place my feed and water areas at one end of the cage and the bathroom area at the opposite end. I reserve the middle for the play and sleeping areas.
And remember, you still want to maintain enough room for several good hops between the areas—your bunny does need exercise even while inside his cage or pen. Bunnies make wonderful pets, but remember that they are smart, social and active animals. To stay healthy both physically and mentally, we need to take these characteristics into mind when we design their cages for them. With a little planning, it is possible to design a rabbit cage that your pet bunny will find wonderfully stimulating.
Happy, healthy bunnies are wonderfully fun companions who can provide you with endless enjoyment and companionship! What's the Perfect Rabbit Cage Setup? Written by: Sandra C. Published: September 17, Placement of the Rabbit Cage The placement of the cage is also very important. Rabbit Cage Accessories When it comes to accessorizing your rabbit cage, your imagination is the only limit.
What to Feed Pet Rabbits Rabbits were designed to be eating machines. Sleeping Areas Rabbits are pretty flexible, and if you watch your bunny closely, you will see what they prefer in their sleeping area. Rabbit Litter Box Some rabbits will readily train to use a litter pan, but others are a little more stubborn.
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