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This article was co-written by Pippa Elliott, MRCVS. Elliott is a veterinarian with more than thirty years of experience in veterinary surgery and pet treatment. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary surgeon. She has worked at a veterinary clinic in her hometown for more than 20 years.
There are 21 references cited in this article that you can view at the bottom of the page.
This article has been viewed 11,058 times.
If you are planning to keep a rabbit as a pet, the first step you need to take is to prepare a comfortable place for your rabbit. The rabbit cage will be a warm home for rabbits when they are not lying well in your lap or playing catch with you in the house, so you need to choose a sturdy and spacious cage, with plenty of space for the rabbit to move freely. . Line the bottom of the cage with recycled materials, and equip the rabbit with essentials such as a food bowl and water bottle. Finally, give your rabbit some toys or other rewards to keep him busy and happy when you’re not around.
Steps
Choose a rabbit cage
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Buy a cage large enough to make a comfortable home for your rabbit. Make sure the rabbit’s cage has enough space for the rabbit to move around in the cage easily. As a general rule, rabbits should be able to stand upright on their hind legs without their ears reaching the roof of the cage. The minimum area of 3m2 inside the cage is usually sufficient for most medium-sized rabbit breeds. [1] X Research Source
- Larger breeds such as the English lop and the Flemish Giant may need a cage up to 4 square metres.
- You will have to choose a larger cage if you plan to keep two or more rabbits. [2] X Research Source
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Buy a rabbit cage with multiple compartments or floors. It is natural for rabbits to like to snuggle up in a dark and secluded place. For just a little more money, you can buy a cage with multiple compartments or floors to give your pet rabbit some privacy. This way, rabbits will have a quiet and safe space to enjoy whenever they want. [3] X Research Sources
- Although it is a bit more expensive, the multi-compartment cage is well worth the money thanks to the more space inside the cage.
- Whatever type of cage you choose, you’ll need to make sure each rabbit has its own shelter or space. A secluded place for the rabbit to snuggle up will help the rabbit deal with stress. [4] X Research Sources
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Choose a coop with a sturdy plastic bottom. A rabbit’s leg can get stuck or injured when standing in a cage with a mesh bottom. Flat bottom cages have the advantage of being easier to line and also easier to clean. [5] X Research Sources
- If you want to use a pre-made wire mesh cage, you can line a piece of cardboard and spread the shavings on the bottom of the cage, so your pet rabbit will have a comfortable surface to stand on.
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Choose a barn with wide doors. The door should be wide enough for you to put items in and out easily. These items include food dishes, water bottles, bedding, litter trays and your rabbit’s favorite toys. And of course, the door of the cage should also be wide enough for your rabbit to get in and out easily! [6] X Research Sources
- Some cages have multiple doors, such as extra side doors or wide doors on the roof so essentials can easily slip through when you put them in or out.
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Make sure the cage has enough space for the rabbit to run around. Rabbits are hyperactive animals and do not like to sit still for too long. Therefore, most of the space in the cage should be for rabbits to play and explore. Ideally, the rabbit’s cage should have 3-4 obstacles running all the way from one end of the cage to the other for the rabbit to run around. Rabbits will be healthy and happy when they are free to exercise. [7] X Research Sources
- With a standard 3m2 cage, the rabbit’s place to eat and sleep should only occupy about 0.7 m2. [8] X Research Sources
- Add some exercise accessories like balls and boxes to create extra little obstacles for your rabbit to run and play. [9] X Research Source
Equipped with basic amenities
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Choose rabbit-safe bedding. You should look for flooring that is specifically designed for rabbit cages, or is marked as safe for rabbits. One of the best materials is hay that the rabbit eats and helps keep the rabbit warm on cold nights. Pregnant female rabbits and baby rabbits need Alfalfa hay, adult rabbits need Timothy grass. [10] X Research Source
- Another option is to use dust-free litter made from recycled wood or paper.
- Avoid using pine or cedar shavings, as these can be toxic to rabbits. [11] X Research Source
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Spread the bedding material on the bottom of the barn. Lining a layer of material at least 5-7.5 cm thick, remember to level in all corners of the cage. If using hay, you should pile it high around the edges of the cage for rabbits to graze on, while still leaving plenty of room in the middle of the cage to play and sleep. [12] X Research Source
- To make it easier to clean and to ensure there are no leaks, you can place some puppy mats or a layer of newspaper underneath the bedding.
- Use a thick base layer to prevent foot ulcers in rabbits. This is an extremely common disease and usually occurs when rabbits stand on a hard, wet surface. The thick base layer will help the rabbit stand more smoothly and not have to come into contact with dirty places. [13] X Research Source
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Set aside a place for the rabbit to lie down. Although rabbits can sleep on any soft and smooth surface, a cot is also a useful and lovely item in a rabbit’s cage. Place the rabbit’s nest near the corner of the cage or next to the cage to give your rabbit plenty of space to eat, play and stretch his legs. [14] X Research Source
- Rabbit nests are available in the form of rugs, cute hammocks, and stuffed dog beds.
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Equipped with toilet tray. Training rabbits to defecate in a tray can help keep the rabbit’s cage cleaner and more hygienic. You can choose to purchase a small litter box that is the right size for your rabbit breed, and lined the bottom of the tray with a material made from recycled paper. You can also use a mixture of shredded newspaper and hay if you want an extra layer. [15] X Research Source
- Do not use clumps of cat litter. This material can be dangerous to rabbits if swallowed. [16] X Research Source
Provide food, water and toys for rabbits
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Install a drinking water tank. The drip bottle will provide clean water for rabbits throughout the day. You can attach the water bottle to the side of the cage using the small metal hook on the back of the tank. Remember to attach the water bottle so that the mouth of the bottle is low so that the rabbit can drink easily without having to reach. [17] X Research Source
- The 600 ml water tank can provide water for one rabbit for about two days, or two rabbits for one day. It is best to provide each rabbit with a separate water bottle so that they do not compete with each other.
- Rabbits may prefer to drink from the bowl. However, water bowls are prone to tipping over and can become contaminated with things like food, rabbit waste and pieces of bedding material, and as such you will have to clean the water bowl regularly.
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Place the rabbit’s plate in the cage. You need to choose a dish that is large enough to fit the rabbit’s food, but also small enough that it can be put in and taken out easily. Place the dish slightly away from the water tank to prevent the food from getting soggy. [18] X Research Sources
- If you want to feed your rabbit a more balanced diet, you should use two different dishes – one for pellets, and the other for vegetables.
- You do not need a food dish if you feed your rabbit by spreading the food in the cage. You just need to sprinkle a handful of pellets or vegetables around the coop once a day. Foraging for food will help rabbits exercise their natural instincts and have work to do. [19] X Research Source
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Feed your rabbit nutritionally balanced dry food on a plate. Feed pellets are usually the most preferred, but dry feed mixes are also a good choice. Dry food often has a high nutritional value and content, so you should only feed your rabbit a small handful each day. Rabbits can eat as much fresh grass or hay as they want when they are hungry. [20] X Research Source
- You can also put a few pieces of carrot, celery or green leafy vegetables on the rabbit’s plate twice a day to make it more appetizing and add a variety of foods. [21] X Research Source
- To make your rabbit’s diet richer, you should give your rabbit a basket of hay each day. The best food for wild rabbits is fresh grass, so hay can be a close match option for you to provide for your pet rabbit.
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Give your rabbit lots of toys. Rabbits can chew through a soft plastic toy in a flash, so the tougher the toy, the better. Many pet stores sell wooden blocks that are perfect for rabbits to chew on. Rope, cardboard, and sturdy scraps of fabric or PVC are also good toys for hyperactive bunnies. [22] X Research Source
- Rodenting is not only fun for rabbits, but also good for them. Teeth that grow too long will make rabbits uncomfortable when eating.
- Avoid giving your rabbit soft wooden toys that can break, creating a choking hazard.
Rabbit cage maintenance
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Replace the backing material when the substrate is thinner than 5-7.5 cm. The layer of straw or hay will begin to thin out after a few days of being nibbled on by the rabbit. Then, you just need to add another handful or two of hay in the gaps. Recycled materials don’t need to be replenished as often, but you should replace them every time they get wet or start to smell.
- Don’t forget that rabbits need to have enough comfortable bedding in their cages at all times.
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Wash dishes and water bottles periodically. About once a month, take your rabbit’s dish and water bottle out and clean it with warm water and mild soap. Be sure to rinse thoroughly after cleaning, as any remaining soap can be harmful to your rabbit. [23] X Research Sources
- If your rabbit’s plate and water bottle are ceramic, you can put them in the dishwasher to save time and effort.
- You may need to wash them more often if you find your rabbit’s food dish and water bottle dirty or contaminated with rabbit urine and droppings.
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Clean your rabbit’s litter box daily. Get in the habit of cleaning your rabbit’s litter box every day to keep the environment clean. Once a clean litter box is in place, rabbits will usually not defecate in other areas of the cage. [24] X Research Source
- Always wear rubber gloves and use a sealed plastic bag to clean up rabbit droppings.
- You can remove residual odors and kill bacteria with a little white vinegar or diluted bleach.
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Disinfect the entire rabbit cage once a week. After moving your rabbit to another safe area that is housed, take the rabbit out of the cage and spray it with a mixture of 1 part bleach to 10 parts water. Let the bleach solution soak for about 15-20 minutes, then thoroughly rinse the rabbit’s cage inside and out with a garden hose. Let the rabbit cage dry completely, then line with a new layer of substrate material. [25] X Research Sources
- Disinfect the rabbit’s cage from time to time to remove odors and kill germs that can make rabbits sick.
- Make sure the bleach (and bleach vapor) is completely removed before putting your rabbit in the cage.
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Keep an eye on the rabbit while it is in the cage. About every hour or so, you should glance into the cage to make sure your rabbit is comfortable, happy, and safe. If left unattended, your rabbit could injure himself or run out of food or water without your knowledge.
- Rabbits are social animals and do not thrive in constant captivity. Don’t forget to let your rabbits out of the cage for a few hours each day to play, explore, and cuddle.
Advice
- You can easily turn a dog kennel into a comfortable home for an oversized and hyperactive rabbit.
- If you have multiple rabbits, you should limit the number of rabbits to a maximum of two in the same cage. Otherwise, the rabbit may not have enough water, food or space to stay healthy and happy.
- Rabbits are the best pet for those who do not have cats, dogs or other large and territorial animals that can harm rabbits.
Warning
- Never use thin wire mesh to trap rabbits. Rabbit’s teeth are much stronger than fragile steel threads, and rabbits can be injured if they gnaw through the wire mesh.
Things you need
- Rabbithutch
- Hay or recycled wood or paper backing material
- Water bottle
- Dish
- Toilet tray
- Safe toilet sand for rabbits
- Toy
- Water
- Gentle liquid soap
- Chlorine bleach
- Aerosol
X
This article was co-written by Pippa Elliott, MRCVS. Elliott is a veterinarian with more than thirty years of experience in veterinary surgery and pet treatment. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary surgeon. She has worked at a veterinary clinic in her hometown for more than 20 years.
There are 21 references cited in this article that you can view at the bottom of the page.
This article has been viewed 11,058 times.
If you are planning to keep a rabbit as a pet, the first step you need to take is to prepare a comfortable place for your rabbit. The rabbit cage will be a warm home for rabbits when they are not lying well in your lap or playing catch with you in the house, so you need to choose a sturdy and spacious cage, with plenty of space for the rabbit to move freely. . Line the bottom of the cage with recycled materials, and equip the rabbit with essentials such as a food bowl and water bottle. Finally, give your rabbit some toys or other rewards to keep him busy and happy when you’re not around.
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