No, you should not keep your rabbit in a cage all day. A rabbit requires exercise to maintain its mental and physical wellness. This isn’t to say you should let him run about and frolic.
We recommend that you construct or get a run so that your bunny can jump and skip up and down. You may even open the cage door to allow the rabbit to freely travel between the cage and the run.
Another benefit of a wider run is that you can install a litter pan in one corner, which your rabbit will probably use instead of the cage. Although you should still clean out the cage twice or three times a week, this will make your life a little simpler.
In this article, we will inform you all about the effects of keeping your bunny in a cage. So, keep reading!
Is It Bad To Keep A Bunny In A Cage?
Yes, it is bad to keep a bunny in a cage. Keeping pet rabbits fully confined to a cage is not recommended. They require a room or a vast place in which to meet their natural demands, such as exercise.
Some people keep rabbits in cages as an emergency precaution. For example, if the rabbit was just brought into the house and isn’t yet housebroken, you should get advice from your veterinarian on how long it’s safe to confine them.
How Long Can You Keep A Rabbit In A Cage?
At any given moment, you should not keep your rabbit in a cage for more than twelve hours. If the rabbit is not freed from its cage within twelve hours, they may have a negative reaction to being held captive.
Changing which room you put them in each day is the greatest method to avoid this scenario. Because rabbits are clever creatures that can sense when they’re being imprisoned, it’s critical to rotate the bunny’s room every day rather than keeping them in the same area.
This will keep your rabbit busy, interested, and happy at all times. If you have to put your bunny in a cage for a lengthy amount of time, it’s crucial to rotate the area they’re in every day so they don’t become bored.
Can A Rabbit Stay In A Cage All Day?
No, your rabbit should not be kept in a cage all day. A rabbit necessitates physical activity as well as sociability.
A rabbit that does not have enough room to run about can become bored and possibly melancholic. Some rabbits may even grow aggressive and attack their owners.
A rabbit should be kept in a cage for no more than two hours, and no more than six hours. Otherwise, you risk creating an unhappy pet who bites or becomes violent in the long run.
If your bunny spends the day in a cage, he’ll require a lot of enrichment like hay, toys, and a litter box. Otherwise, he could gnaw on his cage bars or get irritated about his captivity.
Also, if you don’t let your bunny out to play, you’ll have a rabbit who is dissatisfied with its existence and isn’t very healthy. A rabbit should be kept out of its cage as often as possible. If there is no danger of it escaping, it can be placed inside the home.
Is It Okay To Keep A Rabbit In A Cage?
No, it is not okay to keep your rabbit in a cage. However, letting your bunny roam free would create a number of problems. Therefore, we recommend that you allow your play to roam and run around outside it’s cage from time to time.
Some of the problems of keeping your bunny in a cage are:
- Rabbits gnaw on whatever they come across.
- Unattended rabbits can electrocute themselves or even start a fire if left alone.
- If you have other pets, they will spend the evenings wandering around the house. It’s possible that your other pet will assault your bunny.
- Rabbits are inquisitive and skilled scavengers. If one exists, they’ll find a way out of your house. Rabbits kept as pets aren’t designed to live in the wild.
At night, it’s always best to keep your rabbit safe and secure in their cage
Are Bunnies Happy In A Cage?
Yes, bunnies can stay happy in a cage if they’re given proper love and attention. The cage you buy for your bunny should be:
1. Big
If your bunny will spend the majority of its time in a cage, get the largest cage available. The cage should be at least four times the size of the rabbit as a general rule. Rabbits seem to like a two-story condo with a ramp connecting the levels.
2. Design
Rabbits, on the whole, respond well to litter training. Therefore, a solid floor is fine and not too difficult to clean. Wire floors are still used in many rabbit cages, which are positioned over pull-out pans to make cleaning easier.
Wire floors can be uncomfortable for your rabbit to walk on and can cause hock sores. Therefore, it’s best to get a cage without them. Wire floors should be covered with a piece of wood or grass if your cage has them.
In solid-floored cages, grass mats are also useful for providing traction and varying the surface. The cage door should be large enough to easily fit a litter pan and your rabbit through.
A side door is a better option, as a top-opening cage makes it more difficult for the rabbit to get in and out. It is preferable if the rabbit can do so on its own. Smooth edges or plastic protection strips should be used to cover the wires’ edges.
3. Bedding And Litter
For traction, grass mats are a good idea for solid-floored cages. Fleece blankets are also available. Carpet or towel scraps can also be used as mats, as long as your rabbit doesn’t unravel them and eat them.
Cedar and pine shavings should be avoided due to concerns about the aromatic oils they release. If wood shavings are used at all, hardwood shavings such as aspen are preferable. Rabbits prefer straw or hay as a bedding material.
4. Hutches
For a rabbit, living alone in an outdoor hutch is a lonely existence. However, a house rabbit who is allowed to spend time outside will likely appreciate the change of scenery and fresh air.
Predators, weather, and poisonous plants are all dangers to be aware of when out in the wild. Keeping a rabbit outside in a hutch at night is perilous since predators are most active at night.
Without ever entering the cage, many creatures may hurt or kill a rabbit. If a rabbit must remain outside, it must do so in an enclosed garage or shelter that provides total safety.
Many rabbit owners let their rabbits out in an enclosed enclosure constructed of wood with wire on all side. This allows rabbits to spend time outside and nibble on grass without having to burrow. It is also safe from unwelcome visitors.
Do Rabbits Get Bored In Their Cage?
Yes, rabbits can get bored of their cage. Rabbits become bored if they are kept in tiny hutches with little to do and little room to wander around.
Boredom can lead to a variety of health issues, including:
- Bored rabbits will eat to pass the time. They will gain weight if they consume too much and do not exercise.
- Obesity has been linked to heart disease and arthritis.
- Bored rabbits also groom themselves excessively. This results in hairballs, which can create life-threatening gastrointestinal obstructions.
Rabbits who do not receive enough attention, do not have enough area to run, and do not have enough toys to play with might become bored. Boredom in rabbits may lead to harmful activities like gnawing and burrowing, as well as aggressiveness.
Rabbits become bored when their surroundings does not provide enough stimulus to make their days interesting. They require adequate time and space to behave normally. As a pet parent, you should provide them with enough care to keep them psychologically healthy.
The bodies of rabbits were designed to run. They require a lot of time and room to exercise and extend their legs. Unfortunately, many pet stores rabbit owners cages that are far too tiny. As a result, many rabbits are confined to cages that do not provide adequate space for them to wander around during the day.
Unfortunately, many pet rabbits do not have the time to get out and exercise in a bigger area. This makes them bored day in and day out.
To utilize as your rabbit’s enclosure, we recommend buying an exercise pen. Even if you are gone throughout the day, this will provide a lot more area for your rabbit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Rabbits Like Blankets In Their Cage?
What Do Bunnies Do For Fun?
How Do I Know If My Rabbit Is Bored?
Final Words
Bunnies, like many other pets, require a lot of activity and excitement. While it’s important to confine your rabbit when you’re gone or sleeping, doing so all day is harmful to its health. Keeping a bunny in a cage deprives it of critical exercise, prevents socialising, and encourages boredom.
Allow your rabbit to wander around in its cage at least once a day to keep it happy and healthy. Never leave your rabbit pent up for more than twenty-four hours at a stretch.
You can bunny-proof your home if you’re worried about your rabbit getting into mischief or causing harm to your belongings outside the cage.
Drop down your doubts and queries regarding your bunny and his quirky lifestyle and needs in the comment section below. We will answer them soon!
