Home Sweet Home
How to house your rabbit

Updated February 2002

Pet rabbits can live happily either indoors our outdoors. So long as you cater for their physical and behavioural needs, they'll stay happy and healthy.

Keeping a single rabbit alone in a hutch cannot even begin to meet the requirements of a social and active animal like a rabbit. In fact, it's cruel: rabbits living in caged solitary confinement develop all sorts of physical and behavioural problems.

In this section of the website, we're going to look at homes for indoor rabbits. We're preparing a section on how to keep rabbits outdoors safely and humanely.

Contents

Why a cage is a good idea for everybunny
Features of an ideal cage
Hay and litter - safe choices for bunny that minimise the mess for you
Review of cages

Houserabbit cages: a vital accessory!

Everyone wants a free range houserabbit, but unless you are prepared to put up with a secene of devastation (and possible danger for your rabbut), you'll need a cage to start off with until your rabbit is sufficiently trained and your house sufficently bunny proofed!

Don’t feel guilty about using a cage. Houserabbits regard their cage as home, not prison. Wild rabbits spend hours underground in very confined warrens. Your rabbit won’t mind being based in a nice roomy cage, so long as he can come out for several hours every day. You can build up his freedom gradually without sacrificing your home.

Even once your bunny is perfectly trained, cages can still be useful.

• A cage provides a sanctuary for a rabbit if there are children or dogs around the house, either permanently or likely to visit.
  
• A familiar cage is a great asset if your houserabbit goes on holiday.
  
• Most people have to confine their rabbit from time to time, for example if decorating the house or entertaining.
  

Features to look for in a houserabbit cage

• Space and comfort for the rabbit.
  
• Effective use of space in your home, such as being able to use the top as a shelf.
  
• Ease of cleaning and minimal potential for mess escaping.
  
• Aesthetically attractive for indoor use
  
• Adequate headroom.
  
• Durability.

Minimising mess from hay & litter

Rabbits must have access to hay at all times - it's vital for both their digestion, their teeth, and to reduce boredom and behavioural problems.

But there's no denying that hay can be messy stuff indoors! Hay racks help a bit, but most people just pile hay in a deep-sided litter tray - bunnies love to munch and poop at the same time! Or, you could put hay inside a cardboard box with a pop hole cut in the side. Your rabbit will love to hide in the box, where he can eat and dig to his heart's content.

What about choosing litter for your rabbit's tray? You need something that will absorb urine and odour, be easy to handle and dispose of, and that isn't hazardous to your rabbit.

Forget about using wood shavings or sawdust indoors! They go everywhere, and can irritate rabbit paws and noses. Also, rabbits' don't even like sitting on wood shavings! Given a choice between wood shavings, and wire mesh flooring, bunnies prefer wire mesh, although straw came out tops.

Stick to wood, paper or straw-based cat litters are the most popular choices for UK houserabbit owners, although even simpler is a layer or newspaper with a handful of hay or straw on top. Newspaper isn't all that absorbent, though, so this combination needs to be changed every day to avoid a nasty whiff from the litter tray.

Always avoid dangerous 'clumping' type litters - if rabbits eat these litters, they can develop intestinal obstructions. Clay-based cat litters are the usual suspects, but problems have also been reported with products made from hemp and corn cob.

Finally, if your rabbit cage is situated in a carpeted area, it is worth investing in a hand-held vacuum cleaner and keep it nearby.

Cage reviews

We set out in pursuit of the perfect houserabbit cage. You know, one that doubles as a coffee table in beautiful solid carved wood with an elegant brass wire front that self cleans and all for under 60 quid ...... Needless to say we’re still looking (!) , but we did find a wide selection of suitable houserabbit homes.

Plastic cages

These are the 'Giant hamster cages' that are now commonly seen in pet shops. A variety of sizes and styles are available. Quality varies widely, some designs are ramarkably flimsy, but much better ones have appeared in the past few years. Try to choose one with a side door, to enable your bunny to hop in and out!

There are two potential problems with door design on this type of cage. Spring loaded doors are hazardous and must be modifed or avoided, but those that hinge at the bottom and fold down into a ramp have also been known to cause leg injuries. Look for a design with a side opening door, or be prepared to modify a cage with this problem.

Stockists: Increasing choice and widely available. If you local pet shop doesn't keep a large range, ask to see the wholesalers' catalogue. They might be willing to order one in for you specially.

Metal & wire designs

These cages are typically made of weld-mesh panels, in either a wooden or galvinised metal frame. You're not likely to find them in pet shops - they tend to be available from specialist rabbit equipment suppliers.

Stockists: C & C Wood & Wire Products (Tel: 01785 225999) make a two-level houserabbit cage made of weld mesh with a pull-out tray and integral hayrack. The basic model costs £55 and sizes can be adjusted to order. Available mail order.

Fold up dog cages

Probably one of the most popular options for houserabbit cages in the UK, and justifiably so. These cages consist of a large-gauge metal mesh frame, which folds up to suitcase-sized, lined with a removable plastic tray. They're relatively attractive to look at, especially the brass coloured finish which is the most popular.

They're available in several colours if you shop around, silver or black being the most commonly found alternatives to brass. Because these are designed for dogs, they have brilliant head room, but the larger sizes are proportionately very bulky indeed. Having said that, cover the top with a pice of plywood and a table-cloth and you have a very servicable table, so it's not wasted space.

Stockists: These cages are expensive it bought in pet shops, but very reasonable (30%-50% cheaper) when purchased mail order from dog equipment supply companies. Try Snooze'n'Snacks (01282 414113)

Argos sell a great value version suitable for two small rabbits, or one larger one who have plenty of free-running time, for only £39.99, which makes a popular starter cage for many houserabbit owners and good stand-by for anyone.

Playpens

How about a big playpen instead of a cage?

There are two main sorts of playpen design. The first is designed for puppies, and consist of a modular systems where a varying number of mesh panels are linked by clips. Alternatively, a traditional wooden-framed chicken or rabbit run (choose a rectangular rather than triangular design) could be used it you have sufficient space.

Stockists: For wood and wire runs intended for rabbits to use on the lawn, try pet shops or Forsham Cottage Arks (Tel: 01233 820229). For a puppy panel system, try Snooze'n'Snacks (Tel: 01282 414113). Basic sets of four panels giving a playpen 3ft x 3ft start at around £20 and bases are available.

Traditional hutches

A traditional wooden rabbut hutch isn't the most obvious choice for a houserabbit cage, but they're not such a bad choice if you want to use the top as a coffee table or shelf!

The quality of most pet shop hutches ranges from poor to abysmal, but whereas flimsy hutches are totally unsuitable for an rabbit living outdoors (who need a sturdy, weather-proof, predator proof home raised off the ground as well as a large run) thin plywood is perfectly adequate to contain an indoor bunny when unsupervised.

Baby gates and custom-made cages

Don't forget the other options - using a baby gate to block off a utility area, for example. You'll probably need to adapt most gates with chicken wire or weld mesh to keep your bunny the right side of it!

If you have access to someone with a flair for joinery then it is perfectly possible to commission one of the dream designer cages mentioned at the top that double as a wonderful designer piece of furniture (coffee table or sideboard) as well as a home for your furry friend!

Originally written for "Rabbiting On" in 1998 by Sharon Oddie and Linda Dykes.

Revised in June 2001 by Lizzie Smith and again by Linda Dykes in February 2002.

This information is brought to you by the Rabbit Welfare Fund - the charitable wing of the Rabbit Welfare Association. If you love rabbits, please consider supporting the Rabbit Welfare Fund. You can make a donation, or you may like to join the RWA. The £17.50 adult subscription includes a subscription to "Rabbiting On", a fabulous quarterly magazine packed with health, behaviour and care advice to help you build a wonderful relationship with your bunny - whether s/he lives indoors or out.

Copyright © BHRA 1998/ RWA 2002