Move over dogs and cats - rabbits make excellent indoor house pets and in many ways are easier to look after, especially if you have access to an easy to use rabbit litter to minimise the few problems associated with keeping a rabbit as an indoor pet.
Cats and dogs are two of the most popular choices of pet in the UK. According to the Pet Food Manufacturer’s Association there were 8.6 million pet cats and 8.3 million pet dogs in the UK in 2011, coming second and third only to fish, which numbered over 40 million. Rabbits, on the other hand come in at a respectable 4th place with 1 million of them in UK homes, although not all of these will live inside the house.
While we can completely see why cats and dogs are so popular, we think rabbits are rather under-rated as pets - so here we will list the many ways in which rabbits can make excellent indoor house pets.
Rabbit Litter - visit our online shop
They are Easier to Contain
While a dog or cat will generally be allowed the run of a house (with consequent problems when they want to be where you don't want them to be) a rabbit can be allowed to run free or put back in its hutch when it suits the owner. Many cat and dog owners have the perpetual fear of their pet running out of the house and getting lost, or worse. Similarly, many cat and dog owners are subject to all kinds of unwanted disturbances from their pets, especially during the night and especially from cats who are rather nocturnal creatures.
A rabbit, however, can be returned to its hutch at any time, either to protect it (e.g. when unknown dogs, cats or children visit, or when non-rabbit-friendly activities are going on such as cooking or vacuuming) or to fit in with the owner's routine (e.g. to get an undisturbed night's sleep, or simply to allow you to get on with the housework).
While restraining a dog or a cat inside a cage for any length of time would be seen as cruel, it is in a rabbit's nature to enjoy being in an enclosed space, for sleeping and for a feeling of safety. Provided your pet has a good sized hutch (so it can stretch out or sit up on its hind legs comfortably) which is kept clean and dry with an absorbent rabbit litter and a good supply of food, water and comfy rabbit bedding, your rabbit will not mind at all being placed in there whenever you want.
A Rabbit Can Be Litter Trained
Rabbits that live inside the house can be litter trained and this is essential if you want your rabbit to be free to run around the house for extended periods of time. Rabbit litter training should be done at a very early age, just as for puppies and kittens - it will be harder to house train an adult rabbit.
Even when they are inside their hutches, rabbits will naturally tend to urinate and do their droppings in the same place, usually choosing a spot well away from their food bowl and their sleeping area.
You will need a litter tray filled with suitable litter, which initially will be placed inside the hutch in the place that your rabbit has already shown a preference for. Once your rabbit is generally used to the tray itself, as well as the litter, you can start moving the tray outside of the hutch and then progressively further away until your rabbit becomes completely used to finding the tray wherever you have placed it.
They Are Less Likely to Cause Allergies
Allergy to rabbits is very rare compared to allergies to cats and dogs, making them an attractive choice for anyone who needs to avoid dogs and cats for allergic reasons but would like to have a pet around the house.
And for any owners for whom allergies are a factor in their choice of pet, it's just as important to use non-allergenic rabbit bedding and litter, so that cleaning out doesn't produce any irritating dust. SmartBedz rabbit bedding is sterilised and dust-extracted during manufacture, making it a virtually dust free product. It is also completely free of perfume or any other artificial chemicals that might cause allergy problems for owners or rabbits.
They Have Less Natural Odour
It is usually very obvious if you are entering a household which has dogs or cats present, because of the smell. Even a dog that is shampooed regularly (e.g. every month) will still start to be distinctly odorous in the week or two before its next wash is due. Cats don't smell quite so much, generally speaking, but an unneutered tom cat can create a quite powerful smell at times. Cats (especially those who have not been neutered or spayed) can also decide to "spray" around the house to mark their territory, and this can be hard to clean up thoroughly, especially from carpets and other soft furnishings, resulting in a continual background smell that can be hard to eradicate.
Rabbits, by contrast, generally don't have much natural odour. As well as making for a more pleasant atmosphere for you and your guests, this also means you don't have to worry about bathing your rabbit (except for localised cleaning if fur gets dirty or matted, especially on its underside).
They Don't Need Exercising
Most dogs need a daily walk, which can be an onerous task for owners, especially during bad weather. Cats are often preferred as pets by people who are not able to commit to this level of exercise - but rabbits offer just the same advantage. Within a house, the amount of space in an average sized living room is more than adequate for a rabbit to get all the exercise it needs. In good weather, providing an outside run (with adequate protection from predators) is ideal - but apart from taking your bunny outside and putting him in it, there is little time or effort needed from the owner.
The Cuddle Factor
Let's face it, as beautiful as pet fish may be, you can't cuddle a fish! And for many pet owners a big part of the appeal of a pet is having a creature that you can...well...pet. Regularly stroking and cuddling a furry animal has been proven to reduce stress in humans and it has even been linked to longevity in elderly pet owners.
While dogs can't get enough petting and love to be in physical contact with their owners, cats are notorious for coming and going as they please, and their fickleness applies to being petted also. Even when they do deign to cuddle up with you there is an ever present risk of them digging their claws into you as they settle down - some even dig their claws in and out in time to their purring, to let you know just how relaxed and comfy they are!
But rabbits can be great to stroke and cuddle, especially if they have been regularly handled from an early age and are very familiar with the person doing the cuddling. The cuddle factor does vary a bit by breed however. The Polish is quite skittish by nature and requires a lot of handling when very young to get them used to being cuddled. In contrast, breeds such as the New Zealand or Sussex are much more docile and are more likely to sit contentedly on your lap and have a doze while you stroke them.
However, even with all these attractive characteristics behind them, keeping rabbits as house pets, even if they are house trained, does pose the very real problem of how to control toileting odours coming from an indoor hutch. The answer is to use a super-absorbent form of rabbit litter such as SmartBedz which locks away liquid and prevents the formation of ammonia - the chief cause of those unwanted smells. Wet pellets can be quickly and easily scooped out daily, along with any solids, and topped up with a handful of fresh pellets. You will still need to do a complete clean out of all rabbit bedding and litter sometimes, of course, but not as frequently as you would with less absorbent litter.
Rabbit Bedding - visit our online shop
Monday, 25 March 2013
Thursday, 21 March 2013
The Importance of Keeping Caged Pets Dry All Year Round
The primary purpose of mouse, rat, guinea pig, gerbil, hamster or rabbit litter is, of course, to absorb the urine of pets that are kept in cages. But it may surprise you to learn just how important this simple measure is in protecting caged pets from an array of illnesses.
While most owners understandably look to gerbil, hamster or rabbit litter etc to soak up liquid and stop unwanted smells getting out of hand, in fact this unassuming product - whatever type you may be using - is your pet's first line of defence against disease and can even, when you really think about it, be saving its life.
Rabbit Litter - visit our online shop to buy rat, ferret, mouse, hamster, chinchilla, gerbil and rabbit litter - a Universal Pet Litter suitable for just about all caged pets.
Here we take a look at the variety of diseases and ailments that can arise in caged pets simply from being kept in damp conditions.
Hock Burn
Hock burn is a condition that can arise in any animal including small mammals and birds. It arises when the animal's feet are in prolonged contact with urine or with litter which is soaked with urine and wet to the touch. Very simply, the urine causes irritation to the skin which, if the dampness is not dealt with, gets progressively worse and can lead to redness or even severe blisters. (This is much like the problem of nappy rash in children, which is also caused by the skin being in prolonged contact with urine.) As well as being extremely painful, it can also lead to infections if the skin is broken, which in turn can lead to serious illness and ultimately death.
SmartBedz litter pellets are super-absorbent, quickly soaking up urine before it has a chance to come into contact with your pets' feet. Liquid is sucked into the centre of the pellet, minimising any wetness on the surface, producing a dry surface to walk and lie on. As well as using it as a litter in the area that your rabbit habitually goes to the toilet (they will usually have a favourite corner) it is also a good idea to use it as rabbit bedding in the sleeping area, topped off with something soft and warm to nestle into, such as clean hay. Using it as the base for your rabbit bedding in this way ensures that when your rabbit is asleep it is always lying on something that is dry.
Hutch Burn
Hutch burn is similar to hock burn and is an irritation of the genital region caused by urinating in an area and then sitting on it. It is most likely to occur in pets that tend to sit still for periods of time, such as rabbits - it is less likely to occur with smaller pets that are constantly on the move.
Skin in the genital area tends to be more delicate than skin elsewhere and will more quickly become damaged, making the animal vulnerable to infection, as well as being extremely sore.
As for hock burn, the solution is to use a fast absorbing litter such as SmartBedz so that urine is quickly drawn away from the rabbit's skin. If your rabbit is prone to this type of behaviour, it is important to use SmartBedz as a base layer for your rabbit bedding, to prevent prolonged sitting or lying on a wet area should they decide to urinate in their sleeping area.
Rabbit Bedding - visit our online shop
Attracting Disease Carriers
Apart from the wetness, urine can get smelly very quickly once it is exposed to the air. This smell is a magnet for flies and other insects looking for food or somewhere to lay eggs.
In the case of rabbits, flies will target animals with wet or smelly fur and will burrow into the skin, laying their eggs there. This is known as Flystrike and, if not noticed and dealt with extremely promptly, can quickly overcome a rabbit, often with fatal consequences. A rabbit whose fur is kept clean, dry and non-smelly will be far less attractive to these flies.
Fungal Infections
Fungal infections thrive in warm, moist conditions, so keeping your pet's skin and fur dry is an essential preventative against any type of fungal problem.
Respiratory Disease
It has been found that the amount of respiratory problems (or Snuffles) experienced by rabbits is directly related to the amount of ammonia present in the air. It seems that while urine can irritate the skin, it can also irritate the lungs and nasal passages when it turns into ammonia and becomes airborne. The smaller the pet, the smaller and more delicate the nasal passages and lungs, so minimising the odour in your pet's cage (caused chiefly by the formation of ammonia) is not just a matter of making the environment more pleasant for the owner, but is also important for your pet's health. Controlling ammonia, of course, goes hand in hand with controlling wetness - a dry cage is also an ammonia-free cage.
SmartBedz tackles both wetness and ammonia very effectively, by locking away the urine inside the pellets, preventing contact with the air and thus minimising the formation of ammonia.
Cages with Multiple Pets
If you have multiple pets living together in one cage - as is common for pets such as mice, gerbils and guinea pigs - then keeping the cage dry becomes extra important. Many diseases and infections are transmitted from one animal to another via urine or faeces, so being able to quickly absorb and lock away urine will make it far harder for one animal to infect the others.
For super-absorbent and naturally odour-suppressing mouse, gerbil, ferret, rat, hamster, guinea pig and rabbit litter and bedding layer designed to keep your pet dry and healthy, visit our online shop.
While most owners understandably look to gerbil, hamster or rabbit litter etc to soak up liquid and stop unwanted smells getting out of hand, in fact this unassuming product - whatever type you may be using - is your pet's first line of defence against disease and can even, when you really think about it, be saving its life.
Rabbit Litter - visit our online shop to buy rat, ferret, mouse, hamster, chinchilla, gerbil and rabbit litter - a Universal Pet Litter suitable for just about all caged pets.
Here we take a look at the variety of diseases and ailments that can arise in caged pets simply from being kept in damp conditions.
Hock Burn
Hock burn is a condition that can arise in any animal including small mammals and birds. It arises when the animal's feet are in prolonged contact with urine or with litter which is soaked with urine and wet to the touch. Very simply, the urine causes irritation to the skin which, if the dampness is not dealt with, gets progressively worse and can lead to redness or even severe blisters. (This is much like the problem of nappy rash in children, which is also caused by the skin being in prolonged contact with urine.) As well as being extremely painful, it can also lead to infections if the skin is broken, which in turn can lead to serious illness and ultimately death.
SmartBedz litter pellets are super-absorbent, quickly soaking up urine before it has a chance to come into contact with your pets' feet. Liquid is sucked into the centre of the pellet, minimising any wetness on the surface, producing a dry surface to walk and lie on. As well as using it as a litter in the area that your rabbit habitually goes to the toilet (they will usually have a favourite corner) it is also a good idea to use it as rabbit bedding in the sleeping area, topped off with something soft and warm to nestle into, such as clean hay. Using it as the base for your rabbit bedding in this way ensures that when your rabbit is asleep it is always lying on something that is dry.
Hutch Burn
Hutch burn is similar to hock burn and is an irritation of the genital region caused by urinating in an area and then sitting on it. It is most likely to occur in pets that tend to sit still for periods of time, such as rabbits - it is less likely to occur with smaller pets that are constantly on the move.
Skin in the genital area tends to be more delicate than skin elsewhere and will more quickly become damaged, making the animal vulnerable to infection, as well as being extremely sore.
As for hock burn, the solution is to use a fast absorbing litter such as SmartBedz so that urine is quickly drawn away from the rabbit's skin. If your rabbit is prone to this type of behaviour, it is important to use SmartBedz as a base layer for your rabbit bedding, to prevent prolonged sitting or lying on a wet area should they decide to urinate in their sleeping area.
Rabbit Bedding - visit our online shop
Attracting Disease Carriers
Apart from the wetness, urine can get smelly very quickly once it is exposed to the air. This smell is a magnet for flies and other insects looking for food or somewhere to lay eggs.
In the case of rabbits, flies will target animals with wet or smelly fur and will burrow into the skin, laying their eggs there. This is known as Flystrike and, if not noticed and dealt with extremely promptly, can quickly overcome a rabbit, often with fatal consequences. A rabbit whose fur is kept clean, dry and non-smelly will be far less attractive to these flies.
Fungal Infections
Fungal infections thrive in warm, moist conditions, so keeping your pet's skin and fur dry is an essential preventative against any type of fungal problem.
Respiratory Disease
It has been found that the amount of respiratory problems (or Snuffles) experienced by rabbits is directly related to the amount of ammonia present in the air. It seems that while urine can irritate the skin, it can also irritate the lungs and nasal passages when it turns into ammonia and becomes airborne. The smaller the pet, the smaller and more delicate the nasal passages and lungs, so minimising the odour in your pet's cage (caused chiefly by the formation of ammonia) is not just a matter of making the environment more pleasant for the owner, but is also important for your pet's health. Controlling ammonia, of course, goes hand in hand with controlling wetness - a dry cage is also an ammonia-free cage.
SmartBedz tackles both wetness and ammonia very effectively, by locking away the urine inside the pellets, preventing contact with the air and thus minimising the formation of ammonia.
Cages with Multiple Pets
If you have multiple pets living together in one cage - as is common for pets such as mice, gerbils and guinea pigs - then keeping the cage dry becomes extra important. Many diseases and infections are transmitted from one animal to another via urine or faeces, so being able to quickly absorb and lock away urine will make it far harder for one animal to infect the others.
For super-absorbent and naturally odour-suppressing mouse, gerbil, ferret, rat, hamster, guinea pig and rabbit litter and bedding layer designed to keep your pet dry and healthy, visit our online shop.
Monday, 14 January 2013
Rabbit Litter and Rabbit Bedding - How to Prevent Sore Hocks
Whether you have a house rabbit, or you keep your pet outdoors, rabbits can be prone to Sore Hocks, but the good news is that there are steps you can take to prevent this including simply reviewing your choice of rabbit litter and rabbit bedding.
Good nutrition and hygiene practice is at the heart of preventing most rabbit ailments and regular clean-outs of your rabbit’s hutch and supplying a fresh layer or rabbit litter and rabbit bedding is one of the easiest ways to ward off a whole range of illnesses, including Sore Hocks.
Here we shall take a look at what Sore Hocks is, how to prevent it and some of the things to think about when buying rabbit litter and rabbit bedding.
Rabbit Litter - click here to buy our universal bedding from our online shop.
What is Sore Hocks?
Sore Hocks mainly affects a rabbit’s back feet and it is very uncomfortable and painful for your pet. It is important that you see your veterinary surgeon at the first sign of Sore Hocks so it can be treated, as in extreme cases, if your rabbit is very badly infected, it may have to be put down.
What Does Sore Hocks Look Like?
Sore Hocks can be identified when a rabbit’s hocks (the joint in the hind leg similar to the ankle in humans) loses its fur and the feet become reddened, swollen and sometimes scabbed, making movement difficult. If left untreated, it can spread to the front feet and also become infected.
What Causes Sore Hocks?
The most common cause of Sore Hocks is damp or soiled hutches with dirty rabbit bedding or litter. However, certain breeds are more prone to this and elderly and overweight rabbits can get Sore Hocks. Other factors that can contribute to this are wire flooring, litter or bedding which is too hard or rough (or no bedding layer at all) and rabbits with toe nails that have grown too long.
How SmartBedz Can Prevent Sore Hocks
Prevention is always the best course of action and one of the best ways to stop your rabbit getting Sore Hocks is good hygiene practice.
To start with your rabbit’s hutch should have a soft, non abrasive surface to walk on. Definitely to be avoided are materials such as wood shavings or chips, or untreated straw or hemp which can contain sharp pieces. SmartBedz rabbit litter is made out of crushed straw which is pressed together into pellets and this breaks down to provide a soft layer for your pet. The sleeping quarters should also have a deep layer of hay on top of the SmartBedz rabbit bedding so it helps to reduce the pressure on the foot.
If your rabbit’s hutch has not been cleaned for a while, the bedding will become damp and soiled with droppings and this is not healthy for your pet. SmartBedz rabbit litter and rabbit bedding is extremely absorbent so it helps keep your rabbit clean and dry. As the soiled pellets swell on impact with urine, they are easily identifiable so you can spot clean the hutch daily in between thorough weekly clean outs. Highly absorbent rabbit litter is something to look out for when buying for your pet.
Other Ways to Prevent Sore Hocks
Giving your rabbit a daily run on a grassed area can also help prevent Sore Hocks as it helps ease the pressure off their hind feet. Also ensure that your rabbit's hutch and especially its sleeping area is large enough for your rabbit to lie down comfortably, so that it is not forced to keep its weight on its feet while sleeping or relaxing.
Another way to prevent Sore Hocks is to make sure your rabbit’s nails are kept short and clipped. If you find this hard to do yourself, take your rabbit to the vet who will charge a small fee for nail clipping.
Treating Sore Hocks
If your rabbit has Sore Hocks, in severe cases it may avoid eating as it is too painful to stand. This is why it is important to contact your local vet in the early stages so they can treat your pet and nurse it back to health.
There are a variety of ways your vet may treat Sore Hocks and this includes supplying antibiotics, anti-inflammatory or pain killing drugs, or providing topical treatments. Before you return your rabbit back to its hutch, take a good look at your pet’s living quarters and make sure your rabbit has enough room to exercise and the hutch is completely clean and dry with a fresh, deep layer of rabbit litter.
About SmartBedz
SmartBedz is a universal pet litter and bedding that is suitable for a wide range of animals including cats, guinea pigs, hamsters, rats, mice, rabbits, gerbils and tortoises.
Rabbit Bedding - click here to buy our universal bedding from our online shop.
Good nutrition and hygiene practice is at the heart of preventing most rabbit ailments and regular clean-outs of your rabbit’s hutch and supplying a fresh layer or rabbit litter and rabbit bedding is one of the easiest ways to ward off a whole range of illnesses, including Sore Hocks.
Here we shall take a look at what Sore Hocks is, how to prevent it and some of the things to think about when buying rabbit litter and rabbit bedding.
Rabbit Litter - click here to buy our universal bedding from our online shop.
What is Sore Hocks?
Sore Hocks mainly affects a rabbit’s back feet and it is very uncomfortable and painful for your pet. It is important that you see your veterinary surgeon at the first sign of Sore Hocks so it can be treated, as in extreme cases, if your rabbit is very badly infected, it may have to be put down.
What Does Sore Hocks Look Like?
Sore Hocks can be identified when a rabbit’s hocks (the joint in the hind leg similar to the ankle in humans) loses its fur and the feet become reddened, swollen and sometimes scabbed, making movement difficult. If left untreated, it can spread to the front feet and also become infected.
What Causes Sore Hocks?
The most common cause of Sore Hocks is damp or soiled hutches with dirty rabbit bedding or litter. However, certain breeds are more prone to this and elderly and overweight rabbits can get Sore Hocks. Other factors that can contribute to this are wire flooring, litter or bedding which is too hard or rough (or no bedding layer at all) and rabbits with toe nails that have grown too long.
How SmartBedz Can Prevent Sore Hocks
Prevention is always the best course of action and one of the best ways to stop your rabbit getting Sore Hocks is good hygiene practice.
To start with your rabbit’s hutch should have a soft, non abrasive surface to walk on. Definitely to be avoided are materials such as wood shavings or chips, or untreated straw or hemp which can contain sharp pieces. SmartBedz rabbit litter is made out of crushed straw which is pressed together into pellets and this breaks down to provide a soft layer for your pet. The sleeping quarters should also have a deep layer of hay on top of the SmartBedz rabbit bedding so it helps to reduce the pressure on the foot.
If your rabbit’s hutch has not been cleaned for a while, the bedding will become damp and soiled with droppings and this is not healthy for your pet. SmartBedz rabbit litter and rabbit bedding is extremely absorbent so it helps keep your rabbit clean and dry. As the soiled pellets swell on impact with urine, they are easily identifiable so you can spot clean the hutch daily in between thorough weekly clean outs. Highly absorbent rabbit litter is something to look out for when buying for your pet.
Other Ways to Prevent Sore Hocks
Giving your rabbit a daily run on a grassed area can also help prevent Sore Hocks as it helps ease the pressure off their hind feet. Also ensure that your rabbit's hutch and especially its sleeping area is large enough for your rabbit to lie down comfortably, so that it is not forced to keep its weight on its feet while sleeping or relaxing.
Another way to prevent Sore Hocks is to make sure your rabbit’s nails are kept short and clipped. If you find this hard to do yourself, take your rabbit to the vet who will charge a small fee for nail clipping.
Treating Sore Hocks
If your rabbit has Sore Hocks, in severe cases it may avoid eating as it is too painful to stand. This is why it is important to contact your local vet in the early stages so they can treat your pet and nurse it back to health.
There are a variety of ways your vet may treat Sore Hocks and this includes supplying antibiotics, anti-inflammatory or pain killing drugs, or providing topical treatments. Before you return your rabbit back to its hutch, take a good look at your pet’s living quarters and make sure your rabbit has enough room to exercise and the hutch is completely clean and dry with a fresh, deep layer of rabbit litter.
About SmartBedz
SmartBedz is a universal pet litter and bedding that is suitable for a wide range of animals including cats, guinea pigs, hamsters, rats, mice, rabbits, gerbils and tortoises.
Rabbit Bedding - click here to buy our universal bedding from our online shop.
Thursday, 10 January 2013
Five Ways to House Your Rabbit: From the Ordinary to the More Unusual
As well as rabbit litter and rabbit bedding, a hutch is one of the first things people buy when they decide on a rabbit as a pet. However, don’t just settle the first one you see, as there are all sorts of things to take into account in order to give your rabbit the best possible home.
Even if you spend lots of time cuddling and interacting with your rabbit, they do spend a fair amount of time in their hutches so it is important to provide them with a comfortable and healthy environment to live in.
While a wooden hutch with a felt roof is the most common form of rabbit accommodation, there are other ways to house your pet, from home made hutches to elaborate, multi-layered designs. We shall look at all the various options below.
Rabbit Bedding - click here to buy our universal bedding from our online shop.
DIY Rabbit Hutches
If you have DIY skills you may prefer to make your own rabbit hutch. This gives you flexibility in design as your imagination’s the limit!
The most basic DIY hutches are made out of wood and wire and are rectangular in design. They have separate sleeping and living quarters - with a wire front for the living quarters - and are secure enough to keep your rabbit safe from predators. An outdoor hutch should be raised from the ground, to prevent the hutch getting damp and it is important to build a sloping roof to stop rain collecting at the top.
Obviously the more rabbits you have, the larger the hutch should be. However as a guide the Rabbit Welfare Association and Fund (RWAF) recommend a rabbit’s hutch to be 6ft x 2ft x 2ft minimum, so your rabbit has enough room to move about and to stand on its hind legs comfortably - without touching the roof. Your rabbit would also need access to a secure run for exercise.
Whatever the design of your rabbit hutch, it must allow for easy access so you can provide regular cleanouts and replenish your rabbit’s hutch with a fresh layer of rabbit litter and rabbit bedding.
Standard Rabbit Hutches
Again, the most common form of rabbit hutch you can buy are the wooden ones with felt roofing and you can either buy new or search the internet for a good quality second hand one.
When you are looking for accommodation for your rabbit, do bear in mind that rabbits live for a long time - as much as 12 years - so they need somewhere to live where they will be happy and comfortable. With this in mind, bigger is better, so look for the largest one that you can afford.
Some of the things to look out for in a good quality rabbit hutch are:
Multi-Tiered Rabbit Hutches
Some rabbit owners feel a one-floor rabbit hutch is too limiting and their rabbit would be more comfortable in a multi-tiered hutch.
With this in mind do allow for the fact that the larger the hutch, the more rabbit litter and rabbit bedding you should provide to keep your rabbit clean, dry and healthy.
Certainly multi-tiered hutches are a great option for your rabbit, if you have the space, and these vary from multi-storey hutches with integrated runs, to two, three or even four tier hutches. You can either buy these ready-made or there are companies that will custom make a hutch for you.
Unusual Rabbit Hutches
Rabbit hutches can range in price from a few pounds for a second hand one to several hundred pounds for an intricate custom made design.
If you want to choose a hutch based on aesthetics or comfort, there are all sorts of options available to you, from one floor designs to hutches that are built to look like log cabins. Other examples of alternative rabbit accommodation are: sheds, coloured wooden pet houses, aviaries and children’s play houses. The type of hutch you buy depends on how much you are prepared to spend and the space you have available to site it but again, go for the biggest you can afford.
Whichever design you choose, do make sure the hutch is solid and sturdy as it should last the lifetime of your pet. Make sure it is accessible too, so you can provide a regular supply of fresh rabbit litter and rabbit bedding to keep your pet healthy.
Accommodation for House Bunnies
Some pet owners choose to keep their pet indoors either permanently or during the winter months.
A house rabbit requires a sheltered area to hide in and feel safe, and a spacious living area. Although some house bunnies have the run of the house, not all homes are bunny proof, so if yours isn’t it is a good idea to provide a rabbit playpen for unsupervised runs.
Indoor rabbit shelters need to be well ventilated and sited away from areas of extreme temperature (such as a radiator for instance). It is also a good idea to provide your pet with sufficient items of interest, such as tunnels or boxes to explore, ramps to hop up, or rabbit toys to keep them entertained.
Rabbits can be litter trained, so a tray lined with an absorbent rabbit litter and rabbit bedding with a natural odour suppressant such as SmartBedz will keep your home environment free of smells.
Rabbit Litter - click here to buy our universal bedding from our online shop.
Even if you spend lots of time cuddling and interacting with your rabbit, they do spend a fair amount of time in their hutches so it is important to provide them with a comfortable and healthy environment to live in.
While a wooden hutch with a felt roof is the most common form of rabbit accommodation, there are other ways to house your pet, from home made hutches to elaborate, multi-layered designs. We shall look at all the various options below.
Rabbit Bedding - click here to buy our universal bedding from our online shop.
DIY Rabbit Hutches
If you have DIY skills you may prefer to make your own rabbit hutch. This gives you flexibility in design as your imagination’s the limit!
The most basic DIY hutches are made out of wood and wire and are rectangular in design. They have separate sleeping and living quarters - with a wire front for the living quarters - and are secure enough to keep your rabbit safe from predators. An outdoor hutch should be raised from the ground, to prevent the hutch getting damp and it is important to build a sloping roof to stop rain collecting at the top.
Obviously the more rabbits you have, the larger the hutch should be. However as a guide the Rabbit Welfare Association and Fund (RWAF) recommend a rabbit’s hutch to be 6ft x 2ft x 2ft minimum, so your rabbit has enough room to move about and to stand on its hind legs comfortably - without touching the roof. Your rabbit would also need access to a secure run for exercise.
Whatever the design of your rabbit hutch, it must allow for easy access so you can provide regular cleanouts and replenish your rabbit’s hutch with a fresh layer of rabbit litter and rabbit bedding.
Standard Rabbit Hutches
Again, the most common form of rabbit hutch you can buy are the wooden ones with felt roofing and you can either buy new or search the internet for a good quality second hand one.
When you are looking for accommodation for your rabbit, do bear in mind that rabbits live for a long time - as much as 12 years - so they need somewhere to live where they will be happy and comfortable. With this in mind, bigger is better, so look for the largest one that you can afford.
Some of the things to look out for in a good quality rabbit hutch are:
- Adequate protection from the weather to keep your rabbit warm and dry
- A secure fastening mechanism to ward off predators and to prevent your rabbit escaping.
- A solid floor to protect your rabbit’s feet.
- A sturdy hutch that will withstand your rabbit gnawing at it.
- Strong wiring
- High quality workmanship
Multi-Tiered Rabbit Hutches
Some rabbit owners feel a one-floor rabbit hutch is too limiting and their rabbit would be more comfortable in a multi-tiered hutch.
With this in mind do allow for the fact that the larger the hutch, the more rabbit litter and rabbit bedding you should provide to keep your rabbit clean, dry and healthy.
Certainly multi-tiered hutches are a great option for your rabbit, if you have the space, and these vary from multi-storey hutches with integrated runs, to two, three or even four tier hutches. You can either buy these ready-made or there are companies that will custom make a hutch for you.
Unusual Rabbit Hutches
Rabbit hutches can range in price from a few pounds for a second hand one to several hundred pounds for an intricate custom made design.
If you want to choose a hutch based on aesthetics or comfort, there are all sorts of options available to you, from one floor designs to hutches that are built to look like log cabins. Other examples of alternative rabbit accommodation are: sheds, coloured wooden pet houses, aviaries and children’s play houses. The type of hutch you buy depends on how much you are prepared to spend and the space you have available to site it but again, go for the biggest you can afford.
Whichever design you choose, do make sure the hutch is solid and sturdy as it should last the lifetime of your pet. Make sure it is accessible too, so you can provide a regular supply of fresh rabbit litter and rabbit bedding to keep your pet healthy.
Accommodation for House Bunnies
Some pet owners choose to keep their pet indoors either permanently or during the winter months.
A house rabbit requires a sheltered area to hide in and feel safe, and a spacious living area. Although some house bunnies have the run of the house, not all homes are bunny proof, so if yours isn’t it is a good idea to provide a rabbit playpen for unsupervised runs.
Indoor rabbit shelters need to be well ventilated and sited away from areas of extreme temperature (such as a radiator for instance). It is also a good idea to provide your pet with sufficient items of interest, such as tunnels or boxes to explore, ramps to hop up, or rabbit toys to keep them entertained.
Rabbits can be litter trained, so a tray lined with an absorbent rabbit litter and rabbit bedding with a natural odour suppressant such as SmartBedz will keep your home environment free of smells.
Rabbit Litter - click here to buy our universal bedding from our online shop.
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