Housing for Bunnies: Indoor OptionsContrary to common belief, rabbits don't have to be kept in a cage all their lives. Especially if they're litter box trained, they can be kept loose around the house like a small dog or cat. When kept outside the house, they do need a cage or enclosure.
If you want bunny to be inside in a cage, you will probably want a large or medium size wire cage. Maybe you will want to put wood shavings inside to help keep it clean. It will need to be cleaned relatively often - once a week or so. A litter box will help keep this clean, but is less necessary when bunny is kept in a cage instead of outside. Some people like to leave the door on the cage open during the day, so that bunny can choose to be in or out of the cage. Many people are surprised when bunny chooses to be inside the cage a lot, because they like confined spaces. Something some bunny owners like to do is give the bunny mostly free reign of the house, but they get a little corner with a cardboard house (or castle!). In any event, inside bunnies should have some sort of 'home base,' whether it be cage, castle, area, or just a little bed. |
Housing for Bunnies: Outdoor Options
If you are going to keep your bunny outside, there are a couple of options. Bunny can live in a cage or hutch, much like indoors. If you're going to use a wire cage, you can put it in a barn or other weather-protected building to keep bunny safe, warm, and dry.
Another good option is an outside hutch with some kind of interior area with a roof that will keep them out of the rain and weather. While bunny doesn't necessarily need free access to the ground with grass, there are some really cool cages that do so while helping keep bunny happy and healthy! Another option (other than giving the bunny free reign of the house) is to put a puppy pen outside to give bunny exercise. This, obviously, is not a permanent outside option, unless you are planning to build a roof and floor to make sure that nothing can get in - or dig out. But letting bunny outside for supervised exercise time is a great option. No matter the cage you keep bunny in, you will probably also want a litter box and some form of litter. Kitty litter usually works pretty well, especially with a layer of hay on top. (see the litter box training page) Especially outdoors, a litter box is, obviously, less necessary. But for ease of cleaning and to help keep the smell and mess down, a litter box is good to have. Regardless of the outdoor cage you have, care should be taken to keep the bunny from tunneling out and anything else from getting in. |
What else does bunny need in her new home?
Of course, bunny will need more than just a cage; she is going to need to furnish her cage or whatever space you give to her. The first essential she needs is hay. She needs it to eat, to play with, sleep on, and use the bathroom. Fresh hay should be available 24/7.
She's also going to need toys. Toys don't need to be expensive, just safe. For example, a toilet paper roll makes a great toy. You might even leave the last little bit of toilet paper on it for her to play with. Dry leaves make good toys, though not all bunnies like leaves, and some can be poisonous, so just be careful not to give bunny poisonous things! A good chew stick is a great thing to give bunny too. You can just pick up a stick or twig that has fallen off of any tree - but again, make sure that you aren't feeding her anything poisonous. Things that are approved for bunny to chew on will help to keep him from chewing furniture legs, floorboards, and wires. Water and food bowls are obviously necessary as well. Because bunnies like to chew, you will need something that is safe and durable. This usually means something ceramic or metal - not plastic or wood. Some bunnies may prefer water bottles with long metal spouts to drink out of. Most bunnies like to drink out of a bowl, and that also gives them the option to use it for cleaning themselves, which they automatically take care of themselves. There is no need to bathe bunny!! Doing so can make him too cold, and cause him to go into shock. Barring a paint mishap or something of the sort, there is absolutely no need to try to clean bunny, since he knows how to do it himself. Of course, you will need food for bunny. Rabbit food does not have much variety, so any pet store and many grocery stores, will have a good one in stock. Treats are also a great option, especially if you are trying to train bunny! If you want to bring bunny with you to town or the park or elsewhere, you may want to get a carrier and/or a harness and leash. Harnesses work much better than collars, and carriers are a great option for the car. Finally, you may want a few miscellaneous items like nail clippers, a brush, a blanket, toys like tunnels, or other random things that are necessary and fun for you and bunny! |
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