Rabbit Housing Do’s And Don’ts

Housing Do’s

• Choose a cage or pen that is at least four to five times the size of your rabbit.

• Set up your rabbit’s housing before you bring your pet home.

• Make sure the floor of your rabbit’s habitat offers plenty of solid flooring. A rabbit given no other choice than to sit on grating is more prone to foot ailments such as sore hocks.

• Use heavy crocks and bowls so your rabbit cannot tip them over.

• Use rabbit-safe litter to line the litter box, and change it at least every other day.

• Trim your rabbit’s nails to prevent them from becoming overgrown. Overgrown nails can catch on cage wires as your pet enters and exits the cage.

Housing Don’ts

• Don’t put your rabbit’s home in an area far removed from the goings-on of your family — make sure your pet receives consistent, positive interaction.

• Don’t use harsh household cleaners around your rabbit or its cage.

• Don’t house your rabbit outdoors unless you are committed to spending a few hours each day to interact with it and you have taken precautions to ensure that your rabbit is protected from predators and temperature extremes and has supervised exercise opportunities.

• Don’t expect a singly-kept rabbit to be happy unless you can offer an enriching environment full of toys, exercise and positive human interaction.

• Don’t allow a rabbit to roam your home without rabbit-proofing first:
  1. Move plants out of reach
  2. Cover all electrical cords with plastic tubing or move them out of reach
  3. Restrict your rabbit’s access to furniture, rugs and similar objects