By: WCPS
There are essentially two different ways to house your pet rabbit. The most common is an outdoor hutch. Of course, there is also the indoor cage. Outdoor hutches demand a bit more vigilance, but they do keep your house clear. Indoor hutches are probably the safest but require a level of constant attention. Whichever hutch that you choose, rabbits are relatively flexible creatures and if their housing is handled properly, their location will work well for both you and them.
Outdoor rabbit Hutches
If you are thinking about choosing an outdoor hutch, the first concern should be the effects of the weather on both the hutch and the rabbit. In a perfect situation, it should have a tiled or even asphalted roof. An outdoor hutch should be able to resist wind, rain, and sun. The location of the outdoor hutch needs to be thought through, and part of that process should be the weather that the rabbit will be exposed to. Also consider the walls that come with the hutch and if the rabbit will be protected enough in the case of both a serious storm or extreme heat. Rabbit hutches tend to be up against fences, houses and garages. If possible choose a wall for the hutch that will help the rabbit with the outside weather.
With an outdoor hutch, safety is something that a rabbit owner should be concerned with. Chances are that where your rabbit stays won't be akin to “the forest.” However, rabbits are still in a position to be bullied by neighborhood dogs, raccoons and even cats. Something to consider is that your rabbit should not be left in a position where their floor is unguarded. Many outdoor hutches have wire floors because rabbits do generate a lot of waste and a wire floor allows it all to fall through.. However, outdoor rabbit hutches should have a space where there is wood or some sort of platform between the ground and their feet. Even if it seems that there is no way for a potential predator to get into the hutch, a rabbit's feet can be attacked if it has no safe place to stand. Also, it is good for rabbits to have different surfaces to stand on rather than just wire.
Indoor Rabbit Hutches
Choosing an indoor rabbit cage isn't quite as difficult an choosing an outdoor one. Weather and the potential for predators outside of other household pets aren't really a part of the equation. This gives you a bit more freedom to choose an indoor rabbit cage based on your own needs, as well as those of your rabbit.
In regards to rabbit waste, indoor rabbit cages typically offer a tray under the wire floor which can slide out for easy cleaning. The other type of indoor rabbit cage is the plastic “catch-all” base that detaches from the rest of the cage. Usually this base is rather deep, so that any waste that the rabbt generates can be caught in bottom of the cage and it can easily be dumped into the trash. Plastic bases efficiently stop bedding and litter from being kicked out of the sides of the cage by your rabbit.
Your rabbit should be able to get in and out of the cage (if it is to be left of the floor, and the door is open), and you should be able to reach inside as well. The entry should be easily accessible because you will need to be able to reach in and touch your pet in the center of the cage, spot clean, refill and clean food bowls, and remove old food or treats. A door on the side might be all that you need. Some cages are made with a door on the side and a door on the top for better accessiblility. There are several different options for an indoor cage. There are even indoor cages that come on casters. These are good if you need to move your rabbit into different areas of the house while cleaning, etc. A lot of the decision-making depends on where you will be keeping the cage and also the temperament of your rabbit. Whatever the case may be, you should be able to reach all parts of the interior easily. An indoor rabbit cage with one side door and one top door is probably best.
Indoor cages also need to be cleaned regularly. The best is once every three days. Rabbit fecal matter doesn't particularly smell, but rabbit urine can be quite pungent. Also, rabbit urine will stain anything that it is on after a period of time. One nice thing about rabbits is that they pick a corner to use for their urine, and they stay with that corner. However you choose to work with your pet rabbit, whether a pile of hay in that corner or newspaper, this is something that needs to be cleaned up regularly. If not, you will receive an olfactory notice every time you are near the cage.
It is possible to keep a pet rabbit happy both outside and inside. If you are considering keeping your rabbit outside, a key benefit is that the rabbit will be out in the fresh air. If you are considering keeping your rabbit inside, the rabbit wil be safer from potential issues with other animals. Whatever way that you choose to house your pet rabbit, if you do it correctly, their location will be something that you and your pet will be happy with.
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