Rabbits, traditionally farm animals, are now becoming popular pets. They are affectionate, clean and intelligent animals. A rabbit needs a space to feel safe and most commonly people will house these pets in a large cage, or hutch.
A rabbit cage also protects your furniture from sharp teeth, while giving your pet its own space. In this article, we will take an in-depth look at this product, as well as learning more about why rabbits make great pets.
Contents
- 1 Key Facts
- 2 Ranking: The best rabbit cage on the U.S. market
- 3 Shopping Guide: What you should know about rabbit cages
- 3.1 Should my rabbit leave its cage?
- 3.2 What are the advantages and disadvantages of having a rabbit as a pet?
- 3.3 How do I keep my rabbit cage clean?
- 3.4 How can I disinfect my rabbit cage?
- 3.5 How big should a rabbit cage be?
- 3.6 Where should I put my rabbit cage?
- 3.7 Can I keep a rabbit cage in my bedroom?
- 3.8 What should I feed my pet rabbit?
- 3.9 Is a rabbit cage suitable for a hare?
- 3.10 What kind of floor should my rabbit cage have?
- 3.11 Can I put a pregnant rabbit in the same cage as a male rabbit?
- 4 Shopping Criteria
- 5 Summary
Key Facts
- A rabbit cage should have different areas for sleeping and playing so that your pet is more comfortable.
- Even if you have a rabbit cage in your home, you should let your pet run around the house or the garden for a few hours each day.
- There are a wide variety of rabbit cages available, in various materials and sizes.
Ranking: The best rabbit cage on the U.S. market
In this section, you’ll find a wrap-up of the five most popular rabbit cages currently on the market. We’ve also included a detailed summary of the characteristics of each rabbit cage. In this way, we hope to help you make the best decision about which cage to buy for your rabbit.
No. 1: MidWest Homes For Pets – Wabbitat
The MidWest Homes For Pets Wabbitat Deluxe Rabbit Home Kit provides you with everything you need to house and take care of a pet rabbit. The cage comes with a a hay feeder, non-drip water bottle, a feeding bowl, and a raised feeding area. An ideal habitat for many small mammals, including chinchillas, rabbits, guinea pigs, and hamsters. This is an incredibly easy product to assemble, with absolutely no tools required.
The cage has a built-in 5.5 inch-deep base to make sure litter and waste is always properly contained. This cage is also compatible with various extensions, so you can expand your rabbit’s space as it grows. The one-inch mesh wire spacing of the bars ensures that your rabbit gets adequate ventilation, while ensuring no possibility of escape. The full-width side door is easy to open and secure, and makes getting your rabbit in and out very easy.
No. 2: Ferplast – Krolik 140 Plus Rabbit Cage
This is a large habitat for a single rabbit is designed with all of a rabbit’s accommodation and privacy needs in mind. The bottom has no flares, so the living space of your rabbit is maximized, providing total comfort. A separate extension for nesting and comfortable wooden house gives your rabbit the retreats it needs to feel safe and protected. The front door opens wide for easy maintenance and cleaning, and the cage itself is assembles in just minutes.
This cage comes with all of the rabbit accessories you need to look after a pet rabbit, including hay feeder, water bottle, bowl, and rabbit hide-away. This cage takes up very little space, provide your rabbit with a comfortable, appropriate habitat, and is easy to take with you on the go. A great cage for both observation of your pet, and one that meets all of its needs.
No. 3: Ware Manufacturing – Home Sweet Home Rabbit Starter Kit
Ware Manufacturing’s Home Sweet Home Rabbit Starter Kit is about as simple as it gets when it comes to rabbit cages. The two piece design has no small parts and assembles in just minutes. This product includes your rabbit’s water bottle, feeding bowl, bedding, rabbit food, and chew treat. This is a great entry-level cage for new owners that makes cleaning, assembly, and maintenance a snap.
The cage measures 28.25W x 17.25D x 15.5H, and weighs around 16 pounds. The durable wire mesh is tough, while providing ample airflow and ventilation for your rabbit, while the plastic base is deep and easy to clean. This cage does not come with a rabbit hide, so keep that in mind, but overall, a great starter cage for new rabbit owners.
No. 4: Living World – Deluxe Habitat
Living World is a well-respected name in pet housing and accessories, and their Deluxe Habitat for rabbits is a great set up that comes fully equipped. It is an ideal habitat for not just rabbits, but ferret, guinea pigs, chinchillas, hamsters, and really any small mammal. The bars are chew-proof and well-ventilated, and the product comes with everything you need to look after your animal.
With Living World’s Deluxe Habitat you get a water bottle, access ramp, balcony, dish, and hay guard, so your rabbit is ready to move in right away. The cage measures 30.7L x 18.9W x 19.7H inches, providing ample space for your pet to live comfortable. This easy to assemble cage requires no tools, and can be up and ready to use in just minutes.
No. 5: MidWest Homes For Pets – Deluxe Critter Nation
MidWest Homes For Pets Deluxe Critter Nation rabbit cage is a large, two-level rabbit home that is made to satisfy all of your pet’s needs. The pan and adjustable shelf allow you to customize the layout of your rabbit’s home, and give it both low and high ground to explore and observe. The cage measures 36L x 25W x 38.5H inches and there are no tools required for its easy and straightforward setup. The horizontal wire spacing is durable, allows for adequate ventilation, and allows your pet to climb and explore.
The cage also features wheels, so it can be moved around your home easily. The large doors fasten securely, and open wide so that you can get in when you need to to clean or take your pet out. This cage also has a number of attachment points so you can add things like toys, hammocks, tubes, and a range of other accessories for play and exploration.
Shopping Guide: What you should know about rabbit cages
As more and more people keep rabbits as pets, choosing the right kind of cage become more important, because it ensures your pet is well looked-after. In the below section you will find out more about what makes for a good rabbit cage and habitat, as well as find answers to common questions and inquiries of rabbit owners.
Rabbits are sweet and loving animals who, thanks to their character, have become popular companion animals.
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Should my rabbit leave its cage?
A rabbit cage gives your pet a private home where it feels protected. But every animal also needs fresh air and new stimuli. So, even if you have a nice big cage, experts recommend that you let your rabbit run around the house or the garden for at least two hours every day. This will give them enough exercise and stop them from getting bored.
There are many rabbits who like a peaceful, quiet, routine life, and may not enjoy being taken out of their cage. On the contrary, you might find you have a more adventurous, social rabbit that always wants to explore new places. If that is the case, you should ensure your rabbit has time each day to explore and be stimulated.
Remember that it is important that your pets spend time in the fresh air.
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What are the advantages and disadvantages of having a rabbit as a pet?
The pet you choose for yourself depends a lot on what kind of person you are. Up until quite recently, domestic rabbits were thought of primarily as farm animals, but more and more people are keeping them as pets. If you adore rabbits and would like to adopt or buy one, below are some of the main pros and cons of rabbit ownership:
Advantages
Disadvantages
How do I keep my rabbit cage clean?
To avoid the unpleasant odors of rabbit urine and droppings, and to make sure your rabbit is living in a clean, bacteria-free environment, you have to keep their cage clean. It is recommended that you keep your rabbit’s cage divided into sections, with a tray in the area where you would like it to do its business.
This tray and the surrounding area should be lightly cleaned pretty much every day and cleaned thoroughly once a week. Not only do rabbits enjoy a clean and hygienic home, but this is also important for you. Droppings and urine are the main cause of bad odor, so the box or tray should be cleaned regularly.
Rabbits need a fair bit of space in order to run around as much as they’d like.
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How can I disinfect my rabbit cage?
As part of regularly cleaning the cage, you must disinfect it every month. You can buy products designed for this purpose or you can use vinegar and boiling water. It is important to disinfect all parts of the cage as well as all objects which are inside it.
It’s important that you completely submerge the drinking bottle in boiling water, as well as all other objects which your rabbit uses. You should also remove all stains from the tray, which can be done with vinegar, in order to eliminate odors.
We recommend you clean the wires of the cage one by one with soapy water.
How big should a rabbit cage be?
Experts say that you should have a rabbit cage which is as large as possible for the space you have available. It should be large enough that your pet has sufficient space to stretch comfortably in its little home. It should also be tall enough that the rabbit doesn’t need to bend over or crouch as it walks around.
You should take care to separate the age into different areas for playing, resting, hiding, and eating. You don’t need walls between each area, but there should be distinct areas for each activity. To provide even more comfort for your rabbit, you can place hay, newspaper, or wood shavings in its sleeping area.
Rabbit cages are ideal for keeping your pet safe.
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Where should I put my rabbit cage?
It’s important to keep your rabbit cage somewhere well ventilated, but also not too drafty. To keep your pet comfortable, it is better that it is not in direct sunlight, especially in hot climates. Additionally, the cage should be close to the parts of the house where there is activity.
This is because rabbits like human contact, and will become bored and even depressed if they are left in an isolated area. At the same time, you should avoid placing it somewhere where there is a lot of traffic, or you may keep tripping over it.
Rabbits can live together in the same space unless the female is pregnant.
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Can I keep a rabbit cage in my bedroom?
It is important to know that rabbits are nocturnal animals, and having one in your bedroom might make it hard to sleep. It also depends on how healthy, clean, and well-trained your rabbit is, because rabbits urinate and leave droppings, and the cage is always going to smell slightly.
Rabbits are often very active between midnight and 2am. They also generally like to play in the hour before dawn, from around 5 to 6 in the morning.
Your cuddly pet will take the opportunity to sleep during the day while you are at work or busy with other activities.
What should I feed my pet rabbit?
As we all know, rabbits love carrots. In reality, these little animals are big fans of any kind of vegetable. To keep your pet well fed and happy, be sure to give them a range of vegetables including broccoli, lettuce, parsley, cabbage, coriander, spinach, tomato and celery.
Another important part of your rabbit’s diet is hay, and it should be given in unlimited quantities. The long hay fibers are essential to keep its intestine healthy as well as stopping hairballs from forming in the stomach. Finally, make sure that your rabbit doesn’t start eating vegetables until it is at least 3 months old.
The lower part of the cage is very important, as it is where your rabbit will spend the majority of their time.
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Is a rabbit cage suitable for a hare?
People often get rabbits and hares confused. They are actually completely different animals. You can tell them apart because hare are generally larger and faster than rabbits, and also have longer ears. Hares have also not been domesticated.
In a nutshell, while a rabbit makes an excellent pet, a hare would be very unhappy inside the house and even more so inside a cage.
In fact, most species of hare are not even suitable as farm animals. While rabbits are happy to be around people, hares will always be cautious and reluctant to get close to humans.
What kind of floor should my rabbit cage have?
If rabbits sit on hard or wet surfaces this will often lead to a condition called pododermatitis, which means sores develop on the hind legs. This is why you need to make sure your cage has a comfortable floor. If the base of the cage has bars, be sure to cover them with something flat and solid.
It is also common to use woodchips to cover the floor, as they are great for absorbing urine odors while being comfortable for your rabbit. In your pet’s sleeping area you can place something soft like newspaper or a soft, fluffy blanket.
Rabbits are very loving with people and are not dangerous for children.
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Can I put a pregnant rabbit in the same cage as a male rabbit?
As long as the space is big enough, several rabbits can usually live together happily, unless one of the females falls pregnant. When this happens, you will need to separate them. Pregnant female rabbits become unruly and may attack others, as part of their instincts to protect their young. Therefore it’s important to give them their own private space.
Giving birth is arduous and can even be harmful to a rabbit’s health, so it’s not advisable to let them give birth more than twice a year. Vets tell us that rabbits are ok to breed between the ages of eight months and four years. It’s also advisable to wait for the rabbits to be in season.
Shopping Criteria
- Size
- Materials
- Design
- Accessories
- Base
Size
If you get your pet rabbit as a baby, you’ll need to know how big it is going to be before you buy its cage. Rabbits need to have adequate space to stretch and move around so you want to ensure they have adequate space. The size will also depend on the space you have available in your house or your garden, though of course, it is best to have the biggest cage possible.
Even if your pet is let out of his cage for a few hours a day, it also needs space to move around in its little house. It needs to be able to run around and play in order to be happy. The RSPCA recommends that a rabbit cage should be at least 19.7 inches high.
Materials
If you are concerned about keeping your rabbit cage clean, skip ones which are entirely made of wood, as this material will absorb and retain urine and makes it very difficult to get the smell out. Plastic and metal materials are easiest to keep clean. On the other hand, wood is comfortable for the sleeping areas and also helps to keep the cage warm.
If you are planning to keep your pet’s home outside, it must be waterproof, especially the roof. You’ll also need to make sure that the materials and paint are not toxic, especially considering rabbits like to gnaw at parts of their cage.
Keep weather and climate in mind when choosing your rabbit cage’s materials. Rabbits cannot tolerate extreme temperatures.
Design
As already mentioned, a rabbit cage should have different spaces to suit your pet’s different activities. You can buy a cage which already has separate areas, or alternatively, you can buy a more simple cage and make partitions to divide it up. Here are the most common designs for rabbit cages:
- Wire cage: This design gives you many possibilities to come up with your own design and create the perfect space for your rabbit, using different wire cages and connectors. You can also buy cages which are pre-assembled, and join more than one cage together.
- Stable style: This is usually the most spacious and deluxe style of rabbit cage. They are divided into separate areas and usually some open areas for the rabbit to play in, and other sheltered zones for sleeping. Many models have multiple levels, connected by steps or a ramp.
- Simple style: Many rabbit cages are a simple wide rectangle with an opening on the top or the side. These are most often made of plastic and metal and can be divided up by placing partitions inside.
Accessories
A good rabbit cage should have various accessories to make it pleasant and comfortable for your pet. It must have different areas for your pet to eat, play and sleep. It should also have the elements your rabbit needs on a daily basis. The key ones are:
- Water bottle. Rather than a bowl for water, you should give your pet rabbit a drinking bottle which keeps the water fresh and clean. An open bowl risks pieces of hay or even droppings falling into it. The bottle should be fixes surely to the bars or side of the cage.
- Hay rack. Rabbits always need plenty of hay on hand. It is a critical part of their diet and you can buy hay racks to neatly put the hay all in the same spot.
- Feed bowl. This is where you can put the food pellets or vegetables you will be giving to your rabbit daily.
- Litter tray. This hygienic tray is designed for your rabbit to do your business so that it can be easily cleaned up.
- Toys. To keep your rabbit happy in its cage be sure to give it toy to chew him, as well as provide ramps or stairs for exercise.
- Brush. You need to brush your rabbit from time to time to remove dead hair.
- Blanket. The perfect way to create a comfy spot for your pet to sleep is by putting down a fluffy blanket.
- Hut or box. Your pet will appreciate a quiet and safe place to rest, so having a little hut or enclosed box as part of your rabbit cage is ideal.
Base
The bottom of your rabbit cage is very important as it is where your pet sits for most of the day. As we’ve already covered, these animals’ hind legs are very sensitive. Often, the cage’s own floor will be perfectly adequate, but in other cases, you’ll need to put something down to ensure your pet’s comfort.
A cage with a metal or smooth plastic base will be easiest to clean, but less comfortable for your pet. This is where newspaper or woodchips come in handy. These materials will absorb urine and will need to be regularly changed for hygienic purposes, but are also much better for your pet.
Summary
Rabbits are sweet and affectionate animals that because of this have become very popular pets. A rabbit cage is essential for anyone wanting to have a rabbit as a pet. It’s therefore important to make a well-informed choice when buying one.
Before deciding on a rabbit cage, consider the size of your pet, its needs, and where in your house, garden or patio you are planning to put it. These are the three main concerns which will help you make the right choice. Once you buy one, fill it with the little accessories which will give your pet a happy life.
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