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Dr. Tripp Stewart

Imperial Animal Hospital

Choosing a Cage for Your Rabbit

Many owners keep their pet rabbits in cages inside the home, giving them periods of freedom to run around and explore the house (in areas that have rabbit-proofed, of course). Rabbits are fairly easy to litter train, which contributes to owners' willingness to let them roam free within the house for at least a portion of the day. However, even a litter-trained rabbit in a home that is completely rabbit-proofed will return to their cage to rest or when frightened; it serves as their nest or safe haven. Unfortunately, quite a few of the cages that are sold for rabbits don't actually make very good rabbit homes. The measurements of some cages are far too small for rabbits, and a number have wire floors, which are very uncomfortable for bunnies. Here are some tips for finding a great cage for your house rabbit. Size: You can never have a cage that's too big for your rabbit, especially if that is where they spend most of their time. The general rule is that you want a cage that is at least four times the size of your bunny. For a smaller (under 8 lbs) rabbit, 24" by 36" is a good minimum size. Look at 30" by 36" for larger rabbits. Design: As rabbits take well to little training, a cage with a solid floor should be fairly easy to clean. If you do have a cage with a wire floor, put wood or grass mats down to protect your rabbit. You should choose a cage with a door that is large enough for the litter box and the rabbit to pass through easily. This information is courtesy of Dr. Tripp Stewart.