Last updated: August 29, 2021

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Rabbits, although often thought of as farm animals, have become quite popular pets. They are quite affectionate, smart, and clean animals. Rabbits, in the wild, are prey animals and, as such, they need a place to feel safe. Most people house their pet rabbit 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.




Summary

  • 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.

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The best Rabbit Cage: Our Picks

The below section will provide you with a list of five of the most popular rabbit cages currently on the market. We have also given you a comprehensive summary of the main features of each. We hope that this information will help you make the most informed decision possible when choosing your cage.

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Ferplast Large and Spacious Rabbits Cage CASITA 120, Guinea Pigs and Small Animals House, Rounded Openable Roof, Accessories are Included, Made of Varnished White Metal and Plastic, 119 x58 x H 60 cm

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Ferplast Large and Spacious Rabbits Cage CASITA 120, Guinea Pigs and Small Animals House, Rounded Openable Roof, Accessories are Included, Made of Varnished White Metal and Plastic, 119 x58 x H 60 cm


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85.79 GBP



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Ferplast Spacious Rabbit & Guinea Pig Cage - with Split Folding Screen - An Ideal Home to Bring Rabbits or Guinea Pigs Indoors

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Ferplast Spacious Rabbit & Guinea Pig Cage - with Split Folding Screen - An Ideal Home to Bring Rabbits or Guinea Pigs Indoors


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60.00 GBP



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PawHut Double Tier Small Animal Cage Rabbit Chinchillas Cage w/ Ramp Food Dish Water Bottle Deep Trays Pet Home 72 x 44 x 67 cm

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PawHut Double Tier Small Animal Cage Rabbit Chinchillas Cage w/ Ramp Food Dish Water Bottle Deep Trays Pet Home 72 x 44 x 67 cm


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57.99 GBP



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Shopping Guide: What you should know about rabbit cages

As it becomes increasingly common to have rabbits as pets, the cage you choose is an important element, since it keeps your pet safe. As you read on you'll learn more about what makes a good rabbit cage, as well as getting the answers to common doubts and questions of rabbit owners.

Beautiful young woman holding cute rabbit in pet shop

Rabbits are sweet and loving animals who, thanks to their character, have become popular companion animals. (Source: belchonock: 97323585/ 123rf.com)

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 rabbits who like a quiet routine, and may not be keen to go out of their cage. On the other hand, you may have an adventurous pet who wants to explore new places and if this is the case, you should make sure it can spend time each day visiting different spots.

little rabbits. rabbit in farm cage or hutch. Breeding rabbits concept.Rabbits

Remember that it is important that your pets spend time in the fresh air. (Source: Glushchenko: 83045343/ 123rf.com)

What are the advantages and disadvantages of having a rabbit as a pet?

The pet you choose will depend on what kind of a person you are. Until only very recently, domestic rabbits were thought of as exclusively a farm animal, but they are becoming more and more popular in the pet trade. If you love rabbits and are considering getting one, below are some of the main advantages and disadvantages to keep in mind when owning a pet rabbit:

Advantages
  • Rabbits don't need very much attention. If you work all day, it won't be a problem.
  • They are calm and affectionate animals, so they're perfect for young children.
  • They are very clean and their droppings will be collected in the bottom section of their cage.
  • They adapt well to different environments
  • They are clever animals and you can teach them to do their business wherever is most convenient
Disadvantages
  • Your rabbit may gnaw at the bottom of your furniture or your electrical cables if you don't keep an eye on them.
  • They often have delicate health, so you may need to visit the vet regularly.
  • They don't get along with dogs or cats
  • Rabbits are nocturnal so they may be noisy while you're trying to sleep.
  • Once they reach sexual maturity, they become very unruly when in heat.

How do I keep my rabbit cage clean?

To avoid unpleasant odours from urine or droppings, as well as to protect your rabbit from harmful bacteria, it is important to keep their space clean. It's advisable to have separate zones within your rabbit cage, and having a tray in the area where you want your pet to do its business.

This tray and its surroundings need to be lightly cleaned basically every single day, and thoroughly cleaned once per week. Rabbits need a clean home, and it will make a difference to you as well. Rabbit droppings and urine smell bad, which is why you must clean the box often.

Funny baby white rabbit with a carrot in grass

Rabbits need a fair bit of space in order to run around as much as they'd like. 
(Source: Melnychuk: 41557977/ 123rf.com)

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 odours.

We recommend you clean the wires of the cage one by one with soapy water.

How big should a rabbit cage be?

Rabbit experts stress that you need a rabbit cage that is as large as possible for the space that it will be placed in. It needs to be ample enough that your rabbit has enough room to stretch in and explore its small home. It also needs to be sufficiently tall that a rabbit doesn't need to crouch or bend its body as it moves around.

It's advisable to divide the cage into different spaces for eating, playing and resting. These areas do not need to be separated with walls, but should have distinct elements to differentiate them. For your rabbit's comfort, you can pad the sleeping area with hay, wood shavings or newspaper.

white and black rabbit in a cage eating

Rabbit cages are ideal for keeping your pet safe.
(Source: Petrunina: 80958236/ 123rf.com)

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.

Young man playing with pet rabbit at home

Rabbits can live together in the same space unless the female is pregnant. (Source: Elnur-Amikishiyev: 89132039/ 123rf.com)

Can I keep a rabbit cage in my bedroom?

Keep in mind that rabbits are nocturnal animals, so having your pet in your bedroom could keep you awake at night. This will depend on how well trained, clean and healthy your pet is, though remember that the cage will always smell at least a little.

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 fibres 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.

A group of young rabbits in the hutch

The lower part of the cage is very important, as it is where your rabbit will spend the majority of their time. (Source: Evgenii-Vershinin: 106091969/ 123rf.com)

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 odours while being comfortable for your rabbit. In your pet's sleeping area you can place something soft like newspaper or a soft, fluffy blanket.

little boy feeding two rabbits in farm on beautiful sunny day

Rabbits are very loving with people and are not dangerous for children. (Source: levranii: 17640180/ 123rf.com)

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.

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Shopping Criteria

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 50 cm 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.

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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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(Source of the featured image: Hamdi Zainal: 100291176/ 123rf.com)

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