Larger species like English lops and Flemish Giants may require a cage as large as 44 square feet (4 square meters). You’ll need to go up to the next biggest size if you plan on keeping more than two rabbits. [2] X Research source
A partitioned cage will run you quite a bit more than a standard one-room model, but can be well worth it for the added internal space it offers. Regardless of which type of cage you choose, make sure each rabbit has their own shelter or space to hide. A private place to burrow provides a healthy outlet for your pet to cope with stress. [4] X Research source
If you already have a wire-bottomed cage you want to use, slide a flat piece of cardboard or scrap wood over the bottom to give your bunny a more comfortable surface to stand on.
Some cages have multiple entrance points, like an extra side door or an oversized hatch in the top, which can make inserting and removing various items easier.
In a standard 32 square foot cage, only about 8 square feet is for feeding and sleeping. [7] X Research source Add a few simple exercise accessories like balls and boxes to create a miniature obstacle course for your rabbit to run. [8] X Research source
Another option is to use a dust-free bedding made from recycled wood or paper. Avoid using pine or cedar chips or shavings, as these can be toxic to rabbits. [10] X Research source
For ease of cleanup and extra protection against leaks, consider adding a couple absorbent puppy pads or a layer of newspaper beneath the bedding material. Provide a deep layer of bedding so your rabbit doesn’t get sore hocks. This painful condition is extremely common and occurs when rabbits sit on hard, damp surfaces. Deep bedding cushions your pet, lifting them off of soiled spots. [12] X Research source
Bunny beds are available as woven mats, tiny hammocks, and small plush beds similar to the ones dogs like to curl up in.
Stay away from clumping cat litters. These can be dangerous to rabbits if ingested. [14] X Research source
A 20 oz (600 ml) water bottle will provide water for a single rabbit for about two days, or for two rabbits for one day. It’s really best that each pet have its own water bottle to avoid conflict. Your rabbit may prefer to drink out of a bowl. However, bowls are easily turned over and may collect debris like food, droppings, and scraps of bedding, which means you’ll need to clean them regularly.
If you’d prefer to feed your rabbit a more balanced diet, spring for two separate dishes—one for pellets and one for fruits and vegetables. Scatter feeding makes it unnecessary to have a food dish at all. Simply sprinkle a handful of pellets or greens throughout the cage once a day. Foraging is good for sharpening rabbits’ instincts and giving them something to do.
You can also drop pieces of carrots, celery, or leafy greens into your rabbit’s dish a couple times a day to give it a tasty treat and add some variety to its diet. [18] X Research source For variety in your rabbit’s diet, provide a hay rack you fill daily. The best food for wild rabbits is grass, so providing hay to your indoor pet is a close second.
Chewing on toys isn’t just fun for rabbits, it’s good for them, too. If their teeth get too long, it can make eating uncomfortable. Avoid giving your rabbit toys made from softwoods that might splinter and present a choking hazard.
Remember that your rabbit needs to have a comfortable amount of bedding in its cage at any given time.
If you bought a ceramic food dish or water bottle for your bunny, pop it in the dishwasher to save time and energy. It may be necessary to clean your rabbit’s food bowl or water bottle more frequently if they look especially dirty or come into contact with urine or feces.
Always wear rubber gloves and use a plastic bag you can seal or tie off to dispose of your rabbit’s droppings. A spritz of white vinegar or diluted bleach can be useful for neutralizing lingering odors and bacteria.
The occasional disinfecting will eliminate odors and kill off harmful germs that could make your rabbit sick. Make sure all traces of bleach (including the fumes) have dissipated before allowing your rabbit back inside.
Rabbits are social creatures, and don’t do well with continual confinement. Be sure to give your rabbit a few hours out of its cage every day to play, explore, or cuddle.
