Forget traditional cramped cages and hutches – the best domestic rabbit enclosures may surprise you! Your bunny needs room to hop, play, and exhibit natural behaviors. But custom cages can cost a fortune, take up space, and be challenging to clean. The solution? An humble pet exercise pen provides the ideal blend of size, price, and practicality that rabbits and owners love. In this article, we will dive into why a basic playpen beats out trendy cages for housing happy house rabbits. Get ready to learn how to create a palace fit for a bunny king or queen on a shoestring budget! Your rabbit will thank you by binkying with joy in their new spacious castle.
A pet playpen is the best enclosure for rabbits
A pet playpen is often the best option for housing domestic rabbits. Playpens provide plenty of room for rabbits to hop around and exercise. They are typically 4-8 feet wide and can be arranged in different shapes to maximize space. Playpens give rabbits more room to stretch out than traditional cages. The increased space also allows for hiding spots, toys, food bowls, litter boxes, and more. Playpens are often height adjustable and available in a variety of durable materials like metal and plastic. They can be converted into open and closed configurations to suit your needs. Playpens provide more flexibility than cages when setting up your rabbit's home.
Larger
Playpens offer significantly more interior space than traditional rabbit cages. An appropriate cage size for a medium rabbit is at least 4ft x 2ft. Playpens are commonly available in 4ft x 4ft and larger dimensions. The increased space allows your bunny to take at least 3 consecutive hops and multiple binkies. Playpens give your rabbit room to exhibit natural behaviors like running, jumping, and standing fully upright without hitting their head. The extra space also makes adding enrichment items simple. Overall, playpens provide a more comfortable living space for domestic rabbits compared to smaller cages.
Cheaper
Playpens are very budget friendly, especially compared to custom built rabbit cages of equivalent size. Basic metal playpens can be purchased for $30-$60 depending on dimensions. Extra large playpens are still reasonably priced under $100. High quality custom cages are often over $200 for medium sizes. Playpens allow you to provide lots of space for your rabbit without breaking the bank. You can often find great deals by purchasing used playpens online through sites like Craigslist as well. The cheaper cost makes upgrading to a roomier pen possible for more rabbit owners.
Easier to clean
The large open shape of a playpen has major cleaning advantages over cages. Playpens allow excellent access to the entire floor space to sweep up stray hay and waste. The sides of the pen are often made of wire bars spaced 1-2 inches apart so debris cannot get stuck. Playpens are easy to wipe down and disinfect since there are only 1 or 2 bars to open up. The configuration also lets you spot clean throughout the day vs just during full cleaning sessions. Proper cleaning is essential to rabbit health, and playpens make the task much simpler compared to cages.
More versatile
Playpens can be used for many applications beyond just housing rabbits full time. They work great to provide a temporary place for your rabbit to play and exercise. Playpens are highly portable so you can bring your rabbit outdoors or move them between rooms. The pens give buns room to run around while keeping them safely contained. Playpens also work well for bonding sessions between multiple rabbits. You can section off part of a playpen when litter training young buns too. Playpens are multi-functional for various rabbit care needs.
Easier to expand and move
Playpens have versatility when it comes to resizing and relocating your rabbit's home. Multiple same-size playpens can be combined together using connectors to create a larger continuous space. Or you can purchase an extra panel or two to extend the length or width of an existing pen. Playpens are lightweight and most models fold down into a compact size for storage and travel. So you can bring your rabbit's familiar home with you when visiting family or going on vacation. Playpens make it simple to adjust your rabbit's living space as needed.
Flooring in rabbit pens
It's important to choose proper flooring for your rabbit's playpen to keep their feet healthy. Wire flooring can cause foot sores and injuries over time. A solid flooring like linoleum, wood, or tile works well if your bunny is fully litter trained. You can also use a grass mat or rug over the wire floor for cushioning. Avoid slippery surfaces like vinyl and cement. Many owners cover the floor with a thick layer of timothy hay or straw which allows natural digging behaviors. Make sure to spot clean wet areas daily. Providing proper flooring takes some adjustment but improves safety.
Taking size of the rabbit enclosure into consideration
One of the most important factors when selecting a rabbit enclosure is size. Their home needs to be large enough to allow for natural behaviors. As a general rule, the minimum area is at least 4 times the fully grown size of your rabbit. For example, if your bun will weigh 5lbs as an adult, aim for at least a 20lb dog crate or a 2ft x 4ft pen. Bigger is always better when housing rabbits. Keep in mind they are active animals that need adequate exercise everyday to prevent obesity and boredom. Ensure your rabbit can take at least 3 hops in a row, stand on hind legs, and stretch out fully.
What if you already have an enclosure that is too small?
If your current rabbit enclosure is too small, look for ways to expand the usable space. For cages, add on an exercise pen or puppy pen to create more area for hopping and playing during the day. You can also replace the existing cage with a larger model or dog crate big enough for a rabbit. For smaller pens, add on extra panels or combine multiple pens together. Getting creative with pen shape such as an L or U configuration can maximize footage too. Provide ample time for exercise everyday in a rabbit-proofed room if extra space cannot be added to the enclosure. The most important thing is ensuring your rabbit gets adequate activity outside their home base.
What if I have more than one rabbit?
The general enclosure size guidelines still apply when housing multiple rabbits. Simply provide enough room for all rabbits to perform natural behaviors. For a pair, aim for at least a 6ft x 2ft cage or a playpen that is 6ft x 4ft. Again, bigger is always better. Be sure to include multiple resources like food bowls, hay racks, litter boxes and hiding areas to prevent competition. Arrange these items opposite each other in the enclosure. Providing proper space for multiple rabbits prevents stress and promotes healthy bonds. Monitor for signs like nipping or chasing indicating space issues.
Other appropriate enclosures for rabbits
While playpens are highly recommended, other enclosures can work well for rabbits too. Some other good options include large dog crates, custom built hutches and condos, and exercise pens. The key is providing adequate interior dimensions for your rabbit. An appropriate enclosure should allow them to fully stand, lay down stretched out, take consecutive hops, and make quick turns. Evaluate basic mobility to ensure your rabbit's home is suitably sized. Also consider adding on a pen or puppy play area to create more living space.
Large dog crates
Quality metal dog crates are a convenient rabbit enclosure option. Look for crates designed for large breed dogs at least 42 inches long. Be sure to choose a crate with a wire bar spacing no wider than 1 inch for safety. Dog crates provide good ventilation and visibility compared to plastic cages. They are easily converted into a two story condo by adding a shelf and ramp. You can attach a pen to the door opening as well. Dog crates offer many of the same benefits as pens in terms of space, price, portability and cleaning. Just confirm the interior size meets your rabbit's needs.
DIY enclosures
Some rabbit owners opt to build customized hutches or condos themselves. This allows you to create an enclosure exactly tailored to your space and bunny's needs. DIY cages are commonly made using wood frames and wire panels. Be sure to use safe, chew-proof materials if part of the enclosure is wood. Metal corners, brackets and supports add strength. DIY cages allow for flexibility in size and shape not available in retail options. Some creative DIY cages utilize old furniture, entertainment centers, and bookcases too. With proper planning, DIY enclosures can be a unique housing solution.
Terminology: Enclosure instead of Cage
When discussing spaces for rabbits, the term "enclosure" is now preferred over "cage". This helps reflect that domestic rabbits should be housed in suitably sized areas that allow for natural movement and behaviors. While traditional wire cages were once the norm, more spacious options for housing rabbits are favored today. An enclosure more accurately describes permanent living spaces like playpens, dog crates and custom hutches. Even when rabbits are confined for safe keeping, cage carries a negative connotation. The proper language helps promote more suitable at-home environments for our companion rabbits.
What about traditional rabbit hutches?
Traditional rabbit hutches are wire cages with a single entry door, and an attached wooden nesting box. They have largely fallen out of favor as ideal primary housing for domestic rabbits. While they offer useful features like visibility and protection from predators, hutches generally do not provide enough interior space. Dimensions less than 30 inches wide and 36 inches long restrict natural movements. Limited access also makes cleaning difficult. However, adapted hutches with expanded interior size or exercise space added on can still work well. If using a hutch, be sure to let your rabbit play in a pen or bunny-proof room daily.
What rabbit enclosures should you avoid?
Some types of enclosures should be avoided to keep rabbits comfortable and injury-free. Confined spaces without room for exercise or displaying natural behaviors will cause stress. Avoid wire bottom cages or cages with sparse bedding which lead to foot sores. Also prevent access to balconies or second story spaces unattended. Some specific enclosures to stay away from are all metal cages, aquariums, wire bottom cages, small pet carriers, and cages with plastic bottom grates. These provide poor ventilation, hygiene, visibility and mobility. Always ensure your rabbit enclosure is safe and appropriately sized.
Metal cages
All metal cages are not ideal housing for rabbits. While they are very durable, all metal cages don't allowrabbits to display natural behaviors. They present no visibility and minimal ventilation which causes stress. All metal construction also makes temperature regulation difficult. Rabbits are prone to heat stroke since they cannot sweat. Metal cages retain heat and get very cold in winter. Proper light exposure is important to rabbits as well. Metal cages often have inadequate space for housing domestic rabbits comfortably long term.
Plastic cages
Plastic rabbit cages are marketed as easy maintenance and good for small animals. However, the plastic construction has some important downsides for rabbit health. Plastic retains odors, even after cleaning, causing ammonia build up. Ventilation is poor so respiratory issues can develop. Plastic also scratches easily allowing bacteria to grow. Chewed plastic can be ingested harming your rabbit's digestive system. Additionally, plastic cages rarely provide adequate space for rabbits to move naturally. Wire bar cages have much better airflow and visibility. Look for metal playpens or dog crates as spacious cage alternatives.
How to provide enough exercise space
Ensuring your rabbit gets adequate exercise everyday is crucial for their health. If your rabbit's enclosure is on the smaller side, be sure to provide ample play time in a pen or rabbit-proofed room. Generally, at least 2-3 hours per day of running and playing time is recommended outside their cage. This helps your rabbit stay physically and mentally stimulated. You can also rotate toys in their enclosure to prevent boredom. Providing time for solo play and interaction/games with humans gives important variety. If space is very limited, get creative. Exchanges pens and play spaces with a fellow rabbit owner for example. Where there's a will, you can find ways to provide your bun enough exercise.
What if you don't have enough space in your home?
If you have limited space at home, there are still ways to ensure your rabbit gets sufficient exercise. Focus on maximizing vertical space – use shelves, platforms and multiple levels in enclosure designs. Also take advantage of outdoor spaces by bringing your rabbit outside in a secure pen or harness regularly. Set up play time in entry ways, hallways or kitchens using an exercise pen to safely block off the area. Pet-proof a bathroom for wet weather play. Lastly, visit friends/family/rabbit rescues offering space for play dates. You may get creative, but rabbits can be housed even in small spaces.
Free roaming a rabbit
Allowing your rabbit to freely roam your home, also called "free range", is a great way to provide ample exercise space. Ensure your home is thoroughly rabbit proofed to prevent dangerous chewing and elimination accidents. Start by designating a small puppy-gated area and slowly expanding room access after training. Provide a home base enclosure for sleeping and downtime. As you rabbit-proof each area, allow supervised exploration time, returning back to the home base after. Free roaming enables buns to self-exercise as wanted! Just be sure to protect valuable possessions and watch for mischief until house skills improve.
Reference:
https://rabbitbreeders.us/articles/best-rabbit-cage/