Rabbit Welfare (When Is A Cage is Acceptable?)


Rabbits are active animals in the wild so when we keep them as pets, one of the most common questions regards whether it is a good idea to keep a rabbit in a cage and whether this will be too restricting for them. The good news is that a cage can be useful, just not all of the time.

Rabbits can be kept in a cage (or a hutch) for short periods and a cage can provide a feeling of safety and security to a rabbit, however, rabbits are active animals and should never be locked in a cage for long periods without the opportunity to get out and exercise.

Knowing when to put your rabbit into his cage and when to allow him some freedom is a key part of caring for these adorable creatures. If you have any doubt about the best place for your pet, you are in the right place.

Can You Keep A Rabbit In A Cage?

In short, yes, you can keep a rabbit in a cage but you certainly should not leave your pet in an enclosure for lengthy periods of time.

Rabbits are naturally active animals and they need space to run around and exercise. But this is not merely a fun activity for them, although that is important, exercise will prevent your pet from developing some unpleasant health conditions.

One of the best ways to care for a rabbit in terms of the space that you provide them is to have more than one enclosure. You will need a traditional rabbit hutch for your pet to sleep. This is vital when you are not around to supervise the rabbit and will prevent him from escaping or becoming hurt.

However, you should also have some sort of larger rabbit run or playpen where your pet can run freely. Provided that there is no way he can get out and he is safe, you can leave your rabbit in this run for a generous amount of time.

You may notice that your rabbit is more active first thing in the morning and just as twilight sets in. This is because these animals are what is known as crepuscular; they will rest for long portions of the day, becoming more energetic at either end of the day.

Many rabbit owners find that allowing their pets into the playpen while they get ready in the mornings and again in the late afternoon/early evening provides the animals with a good amount of exercise.

Rabbit in a cage
Custom built cages are one good option

Another alternative is to keep your rabbit inside the house. This is a particularly good idea if you live in an area where there may be predatory wildlife. It is not uncommon for a rabbit to have a heart attack at the mere sight of the predator and for the sake of keeping your pet outdoors, it simply isn’t worth the trauma.

It is known that rabbits who live indoors are more likely to have a longer and healthier life. While pet rabbits will develop a thicker coat during the winter months, it is always a wise idea to place their sleeping quarters in a sheltered location such as a garden shed or covered patio.

How Long Should A Rabbit Stay In A Cage?

As humans, we lead busy lifestyles and there are times that we will have to leave our pets at home to tend to our responsibilities. This is fine and should not put you off having a pet, however, you will need to be sure that your pet is happy while you are away.

When it comes to putting your rabbit into its cage, you must be mindful that this cramped space could become distressing for your pet if he is left there for a prolonged period.

It is widely accepted that rabbits should not be left for longer than three to four hours in their cages without being let out for exercise.

Did you know that rabbit hutches were originally designed to keep meat rabbits in days gone by? These enclosures certainly are not suitable permanent housing for your rabbit so once your return home, be sure to let your pet out to stretch his legs.

How Big Should A Rabbit Cage Be?

If you do not have the space for a large cage, then it is even more important to allow your rabbit to safely roam around a bigger enclosure or in the house for a good chunk of the day. However, it is always preferable to house your rabbit in a large cage as opposed to a traditional rabbit hutch.

According to Rabbit Welfare, keeping a rabbit permanently in a hutch is nothing short of cruel. A rabbit enclosure should be at least 3 meters in length, 2 meters deep, and a meter in height. However, if you can accommodate something larger, your furry friend will be more than happy to make use of the additional space.

You should always aim to find a cage that is as large as possible and only ever use a smaller hutch when it is absolutely necessary.

A large outdoor cage/playpen

Can A Rabbit Stay In A Cage All Day?

Leaving a rabbit in its cage all day could have a devastating effect on its physical and psychological health. These are intelligent animals, although a lot of people are not aware of this, and they can get very bored when they are left alone for long periods.

If you are able, you should allow your rabbit out of its cage for as long as possible each day with a minimum of one to two hours outside exercise. The recommended average time outside of the cage, however, is between three and four hours.

If the rabbit is left in its cage all day, you may notice that he starts to behave in unusual ways. It is not uncommon for rabbits to chew through things and even become depressed when they do not have enough freedom.

If you have a rabbit run, you could connect this to the cage and leave the door open so that your rabbit can come and go as he pleases. Again, it is important to keep safety in mind at all times.

Should I Cover My Rabbits Cage At Night?

Earlier in this article, we talked about the fact that rabbits are crepuscular animals. This means that they may be more active during the dawn and dusk hours. When it comes to sleep, they may sleep just as much during the day as they do at night.

However, this also means that they will spend a significant amount of time awake during the hours of dark.

One of the main reasons that pet owners like to cover their rabbit cages at night is to keep the rabbit safe. But this cover is likely to have little effect on your rabbit and will serve more as a way of making you feel better.

Rather than covering the cage, it is a better idea to create a safe haven within the cage where your pet can take refuge if he feels threatened during the night.

Another common thought behind covering the cage is that it will keep the rabbit warm. But it is important to remember that these animals are covered in fur that is designed to keep them warm. Admittedly, domestic rabbits would not thrive in the wild nor can they handle extreme temperatures, but for an average evening, a cover for warmth wouldn’t be needed.

If the temperature drops significantly, it is a good idea to house your rabbit indoors.

What Do Rabbits Need In Their Cage?

Rabbits need a few essentials in their cages which we have listed here in order of their importance. We’ve also listed a few optional extras you may like to consider.

Rabbit Cage Essentials

  1. Water bowl or bottle
  2. A large (unlimited) portion of Timothy Hay
  3. Litter tray
  4. Veggie/Pellet Dish
  5. Wooden Toys for gnawing
  6. Snugglesafe heat pad (for outdoor pets during winter)
  7. Frozen water bottles during summertime
  8. Fleece blanket
is it ok to keep rabbits in cages?
Tiny in his secure outdoor hutch

Wrap Up

We hope this post has helped you make a decision on whether to keep your own rabbit in a cage or hutch. Our main point here which we think is worth hammering home is that rabbits are extremely active and while a hutch or a cage is perfectly fine for short periods of inactivity, or to keep your pet safe at night, a hutch or cage should only ever be a short ‘stop-gap’ between those lengthy exercise and binky sessions!

Further Reading

Housing Your Rabbit Indoors myhouserabbit.com

Picking a the Right Rabbit Cage thesprucepets.com

Keeping rabbits in indoor cages bunnyhugga.com

Darren

Darren is the founder and editor at Bunny Advice and has been caring for rabbits for over a decade. He has a passion for helping animals and sharing his experience and knowledge with others.

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