Setting Up a Bunny Cage

Have you recently adopted a bunny? Congratulations! Floppy is a very cute and lovable little pet! To keep your furry pal happy and healthy, you’ll need to provide proper food, including plenty of grass hay; regular veterinary care; lots of fun, suitable toys; and, of course, a comfy cage. In this article from Arapahoe Animal Hospital, your Boulder, CO animal clinic, serving Louisville and surrounding areas, a local vet discusses setting up a bunny cage.

Make sure Floppy has plenty of room in her cage. Your fuzzy buddy should be able to stand up, stretch, hop around, and play without tripping over her belongings, or touching the sides or walls of her cage.

Choose a cage made of a safe, suitable material, such as mesh or wood. Just be sure there are no sharp edges poking out that could cut your furry friend. Also, pick a cage with a solid bottom: wire floors can be dangerous!

Did you know that bunnies can be litterbox-trained? If Floppy isn’t potty-trained yet, ask your vet for tips on teaching her to use her litterbox. For materials, you’ll want to get a large cat box. You can also use a rubber cement-mixing pan from a hardware store. Fill it with newspaper, and then add nontoxic litter and some hay. Bunnies like to eat while they do their business, so it may help to add a hayrack. Position it so that your pet has to hop into her box to reach the hay.

Make sure Floppy has a suitable hidey-hole, so she always has somewhere to retreat to if she feels frightened or wants some privacy.

You’ll need to add safe, suitable substrate, such as aspen. Avoid pine or cedar substrates, as they aren’t safe for small animals.

No bunny palace is complete without plenty of fun toys. Many wood, wicker, and cardboard items are fine, as long as they don’t have small parts or sharp edges.

Choosing the proper location is also important. Floppy should be indoors, in a spot that is quiet but not too isolated. Avoid putting your bunny near air vents, or in direct sunlight. Ask your vet for specific advice.

Do you have questions for your pet’s health or care? Contact us here at Arapahoe Animal Hospital, your Boulder, CO animal clinic, serving Louisville and surrounding areas, today!