Whether you’re an existing bunny parent or entirely new to the wonderful world of rabbit parenthood, we’re sure you’ve got some burning questions about your buns’ living environment.
Here at Kavee, not only do we sell cages and accessories for your fluffy friends, we’re on a mission to spread our knowledge and improve the living standards of bunnies across the globe.
A cause worth binkying about, we hope you’ll agree. So we’ve taken it upon ourselves to gather together all of your most frequently asked rabbit cage questions. From how to set up a cage for the first time to what goes inside it, read on to find some answers!
Choosing an Indoor Rabbit Cage
What size cage does my rabbit need?
A lot bigger than most people first assume! According to the RSPCA and the RWAF, the traditionally accepted housing of rabbits in cramped hutches is completely unsuitable for their long-term welfare.
Wherever possible, always go larger if you have the space. At a minimum, a rabbit’s main enclosure should be 8-12 square feet (but we like to go bigger, starting at 12 square feet and up!) and at least 3x their length, 1.5-2x their width, and 1.5-2x their height. A good test is that it should allow them to comfortably:
- Hop at least three times.
- Stand up on their hind legs.
- Stretch out fully & turn around.
Rabbits are full of energy and, if they’re not free-roaming 24/7, they should at least have 4-5 hours worth of access to an exercise area that is at least 24 square feet.
What materials are best for a rabbit cage?
Rabbit cages come in a variety of different materials, such as wire, plastic, wood, and metal. You should choose a material that meets the below criteria:
C&C cages constructed with interlocking metal grids and a solid plastic base provide everything a rabbit needs to feel hoppy in their habitat. We believe this to be the perfect marriage of materials for both bunny welfare and hooman practicality. You can read more about different cage options in this blog.
Cage Setup
How should I set up my rabbit’s cage?
Your bunny should have a main enclosure in which they have separate spaces to eat, drink, poop and sleep on repeat! This will also be somewhere they can easily hide in, and find some quiet whenever needed.
Whether you let your bunnies roam freely or not, it’s always best to locate their cage next to a spacious area where they can zoomie and exercise to their heart’s content. Always make sure to bunny-proof it, and leave the cage door open so they can hop in and out as they please.
For specific details on how to assemble a Kavee cage, read here.
What accessories do I need in my rabbit’s cage?
It should hopefully go without saying that rabbits need the essentials such as a food bowl and water bowl (or bottle!), which should be refreshed regularly. Since your bunny’s diet mainly consists of hay, you can get a hay bag to keep all hay in one place.
They’ll also want clean bedding that’s soft for their paws (check out our adorable range of reusable fleece liners) and some hideys where they can instantly spend some alone time.
However, remember that beyond their immediate needs, your bunnies will also need an a-bun-dance of mental stimulation and enrichment too! Give them some exciting rabbit-safe items to explore, like our Wondrous Wooden Bunny Castle or our Bloomin’ Bunnies Pop Up Burrow. Read more about other must-have rabbit accessories here.
Cage Maintenance
How often should I clean my rabbit’s cage?
Our general recommendation is to spot-clean your rabbit’s cage once or twice a day, then undergo a deep clean once a week. You can find more on cleaning a rabbit’s cage here.
Cleaning may feel like a chore, but it’s essential for your rabbit’s quality of life and long-term hoppiness, so don’t let this slip to the bottom of your to-do list!
The good news is that our Kavee cages have been designed with ease of maintenance in mind - from removable lids to an easy-clean base and even washable fleece liners.
How do I clean my rabbit’s cage?
Follow the below steps for a quick spot clean of your rabbit’s cage:
- Remove leftover food in the morning and evening and replace it with fresh food.
- Refill their water bowl or bottle.
- Clean up any poops that may have missed the litter box.
- Scoop out the litter box and replace it with fresh litter where necessary.
For a more thorough weekly or bi-weekly clean, pop your rabbit in a bunny-safe area and complete the following steps:
- Empty your rabbit’s cage.
- Brush down the dirty bedding then pop the fleece liner in the next laundry load.
- Spray the solid plastic base with a mild, pet-safe detergent before wiping it down thoroughly.
- Give toys and accessories a quick clean.
- Wash up food bowls and water bottles in hot soapy water, before refilling and reattaching to the cage.
- Replace the litter tray and lay down a clean fleece liner.
- Pop all items back inside the cage - everything should now be looking spick and span for your beloved bun!
Cage Location
Where should I place my rabbit’s cage?
Keeping buns indoors is always our preference, but there are still some things to consider when it comes to the location you pick. Make sure you place your rabbit’s cage in an area that is roomy, fairly quiet, well-ventilated, and away from radiators or direct sunlight.
Bunnies are naturally nervous prey animals so are easily spooked by loud noises. While it may seem like a good idea to keep your bunny where all the action is, blaring televisions and boisterous children have the potential to make their lives quite stressful.
Can my rabbit’s cage be in direct sunlight?
No - your bunny’s cage should always be kept away from direct sunlight. This is really important as sunlight on glass can act like a greenhouse and quickly cause your poor rabbits to overheat (which could lead to a fatal condition like heatstroke within a matter of minutes).
A rabbit’s living area should be in a room that is neither too hot nor too cold, avoiding extreme draughts, heat from radiators, and direct sunlight.
Rabbit Behavior and Cage Design
Why does my rabbit chew their cage?
Chewing is one of rabbits’ natural behaviors, so it’s no surprise that it would extend to chewing on cage bars too. It’s a way to grind down their teeth, but excessive chewing on cage bars could be a sign of anxiety, stress, boredom, or health issues.
To minimize this behavior, make sure that your rabbits have access to entertaining accessories and toys - especially chewing toys! This should help move their attention away from chewing on cage bars.
However, you can rest assured that Kavee’s cages are made from non-toxic and chew-proof materials, so your floof won’t come to any immediate harm. Regardless, if this behavior seems to be excessive and nothing seems to stop it, a visit to the vet should be in order.
Why is my rabbit so active at night?
Rabbits are crepuscular animals, which means that they are neither strictly nocturnal nor diurnal. Instead, they are most active in the hours around sunrise and sunset.
As prey animals, rabbits have grown used to power-napping as a way to avoid being too exposed to the dangers in the wild. Regardless of how pampered they might be now, they’ll keep on sleeping in short bursts.
If you do find that your buns are keeping you up at night, the reality is that it’s not likely to change any time soon. Consider a different room for their cage or alternatively, invest in some ear muffs!
Conclusion
We hope that these rabbit cage FAQs will have taught you something new, or encouraged you to learn more about the wonderful world of rabbits. We’re passionate about helping you make the best decisions for your sweet buns!
You can always check out our blog to find more answers to your rabbit cage questions or, if you’re looking for rabbit cages that meet the basic requirements plus A LOT more, don’t forget to check out our full range of bunny-tailored cages and accessories.
