The Right Rabbit Hutches For Happy Bunnies

It might seem like a fairly simple thing - rabbits live in rabbit hutches which need to keep them in and other things out. However, in reality, there are a number of additional things to consider, such as cost, size, ease of cleaning, location, and more. Not considering these variables can mean a less happy, healthy bunny.

Hutches are better at being an appropriate size than indoor cages, but it is still an important consideration. Depending on who you ask, the main enclosure of a bunny should be from four to eight times their size. This assumes that the bunny spends some time every day out of the cage, either in the yard or in the home, running around. All rabbits need this time for exercise and mental stimulation.

Wire floors are common because they allow the waste to fall through. There are two major concerns with wire floors, however. One is that the bunny must have somewhere to sit that is solid, because constantly sitting on wire leads to sore hocks. The second is that if the hutch is outdoors, the wire floor must have a tray under it so that predators cannot access the bunny's feet and belly from underneath.

Outdoor bunny cages need to provide protection from the elements. This means having adequate airflow for the summer and adequate protection from cold, wind and rain in the winter. This is usually achieved by having a lot of ventilation built in, and using a cover of some sort during the winter.

Location is very important. Rabbits sitting in the sun for too long can easily get heat stroke, as they are susceptible to this condition. In the winter, shelter away from strong wind is important in keeping them warm enough. Bunnies should not be able to get wet while in their hutch, as their fur is thick and dries slowly, potentially leading to chills.

Patios, covered porches, and other semi-outdoor structures can be great places for your bunny to live. Sheds are not generally a good idea, as they trap heat and can easily lead to an overheated bunny during warm weather. Rabbits should never live in a garage, as the fumes that build up over time from cars being driven in and out are toxic to them for many years.

Some outdoor bunny cages have two floors, with one of the floors sitting directly on the ground. This can be great in terms of space, but it is important to make sure that the lower level has a floor. The floor can be made of wire mesh, if you want the bunny to have access to grass or dirt, but it is necessary because both rabbits and predators dig.

It isn't necessary to keep your bunny outside at all, however. Rabbit hutches can make wonderful indoor cages, since they tend to be larger than those intended for indoor bunnies. Indoor rabbits get more attention from their humans, live longer, and lead more fulfilled lives in most cases. However, if your bunny must live outdoors, make sure that you visit regularly, allow him or her time outside of the hutch, and offer protection from the elements and predators.


The Best Rabbit Hutches For Happy Bunnies

Housing rabbits isn't as simple of a task as it sounds like, in some ways. Although any hutch that keeps them safe from predators and the weather will do in the short term, there are actually other things to think about. Some of these are for you, such as price, and other features of rabbit hutches are for the bunny, such as size.

Indoor cages intended to rabbits are almost universally too small. Hutches are better, size-wise, but it is still important to make sure that your choice is big enough. Depending on whose opinion you are asking, your bunny's home should be between four and eight times their adult size. Bunnies need to spend time out of their cages every day, for exercise and mental stimulation, however, no matter how big the cage is.

Wire floors became popular when people raised rabbits for meat and fur. They are simpler to clean, and remove the need for a litter box, because the waste simply falls through. However, sitting for long periods of time on wire floors, especially low-quality ones that sag, is bad for your bunny's feet. If your hutch has wire flooring, cover part of it with something solid. An outdoor hutch must always have a tray under the wire, so that nothing can get to your bunny from underneath.

Protection from the elements is an important part of a hutch design. Although there are certain areas where bunnies might not get too hot or too cold, one or the other extreme is usually a potential issue. Air flow is essential to making sure your bunny stays cool and healthy. A cover is generally used to keep heat in in the winter.

Putting the hutch in the full sun or path of cold winds is a bad idea. Rabbits get heat stroke relatively easily, and should always have shade and as much protection from direct sun as possible. It should also be positioned so that they don't get wet when it rains. Shelter from the wind is an important part of keeping your bunny warm in winter months.

Certain outdoor structures are great places to keep your bunny, and some are very bad places. Outdoor porches, patios, gazebos and other open-air locations can be great places for the hutch. Sheds easily get overheated, and generally are not a good idea. A hutch should never be located in a garage, as the fumes from cars build up and then release for many years and are toxic to sensitive animals like rabbits.

If your hutch rests directly on the ground, or has a level that does, it still needs a floor. Rabbits are great diggers, and a hungry predator can be pretty motivated to be a digger, too. Wire mesh is a good choice if you want your bunny to have access to the underlying dirt or grass, but some kind of floor is imperative.

Rabbit hutches are generally outdoor living spaces, but there's no reason that one cannot be used indoors. They actually make better homes for bunnies than indoor cages, which are almost always too small. Living indoors is good for rabbits-- they get more attention, less stress from weather and predators, and usually spend more time with you.


The Choices In Rabbit Hutches For Your Bunnies

It might not seem like the most difficult of questions - which of the many rabbit hutches should you choose. And indeed, most of them will do the job just fine. But there are a number of things that you can consider to make your bunny more comfortable, safer, and healthier. These are features that not all cages have.

Indoor cages for rabbits are almost universally undersized. Rabbits need somewhere between four and eight times their adult size as the minimum space requirement for housing. Larger is always better. And all sizes indicated by experts assume that the bunny is getting out of his or her cage for an hour or more every day. They need this time for physical and mental stimulation.

Wire floors are very convenient for people. They are not as good for rabbits. However, you don't have to do away with the wire floor entirely. Replacing some of the wire with a solid surface such as cardboard or wood will allow your bunny to get off the mesh. Not providing this can lead to sores on their feet. An outdoor hutch with wire mesh must have a tray, because predators may try to come at your bunny from underneath if it doesn't have one.

Protection from the weather is the second most important thing a hutch does, besides keeping bunny in and predators out. This means providing both warmth in the winter and coolness in the summer. Most choices have a lot of ventilation, and are then tarped or boarded up in the winter.

Putting your hutch in a location out of the wind, rain, and direct sun is essential to your bunny's health. Heatstroke is a relatively common problem among rabbits, who don't tolerate high temperatures well. However, they should also be kept out of strong winds, and not allowed to get wet, which can result in illness as well.

Outdoor semi-covered or enclosed areas make an ideal space for the hutch. These include patios, porches, and other somewhat sheltered places. However, don't put your bunny in a shed or garage, because the heat can easily build up to a dangerous level. Additionally, garages are contaminated by the fumes of the cars that used them for many years after the car is gone. These fumes are potentially toxic to bunnies.

If your hutch of choice has a level that sits directly on the ground, make sure this level has an attached floor. Rabbits dig, and you will find yourself without a bunny if you allow him or her free access to dirt or grass. Or worse, a predator may dig in. If you want the ground to be accessible to your bunny, such as in cases where it is grassy, use wire mesh for flooring.

Living outdoors is what most people think of as 'normal' for bunnies. However, rabbit hutches make wonderful indoor homes for your bunny, as well. Indoor rabbits are healthier, live longer, and enjoy a more stimulating life than their outdoor cousins. Consider moving your outdoor bunny inside, if you can.



