Question-rabbit cages

[bethany]

I am going to buy rabbits in the near future, but I would like to make my cages before then. I have some questions.

If you were to make a cage thats topless, with just one square high all around it, would the rabbits be able jump or climb out of it?

If I were to make a cage with a sencond story, with a top, would I need to make a ramp? Because looking at some of the pictures of cages with sencond levels, it doesn't appear that they have any ramps. So do the rabbits just jump up to the sencond level?

Bye,
Bethany

[bethany]

Or if I were to make a ramp, what should I make it out of?

[VoodooJoint]

Firstly, welcome to the forums.

One square high is not tall enough for a couple of reasons. First, yes, the rabbit would jump out quite easily. Second rabbits like various levels to climb on and the cage should be at least 2-3 grids high to offer at least one other level.

They do not need ramps as a rabbit can easily jump from one level to the other and a ramp only takes up space in the cage.

I recommend you look into making your rabbit/s house rabbits. You can littertrain rabbits easily. They are funny and social animals with lots of personality that is wasted if they spend most of their lives in a cage. House Rabbit Society Rabbit Care Guide

Lastly please do not buy a rabbit or rabbits. Rabbits are the 3rd most common animal in animal shelters (after dogs and cats). There are thousands of rabbits out there lokking for a new and loving home. Please adopt instead of buy. We can help you find rabbits in your area in need of homes and if you have a house rabbit rescue near you the all the better because they will help teach you all you need to know about propererly caring and keeping rabbits.

[lynn's Cavies]

I agree with Voodoo Joint. I have 4 rabbits and they can jump pretty darn high. I had bought a rabbit pen that is 3 feet tall and they can scale that easily. Now I use the pen for my guinea pigs in summer, but I supervise them always.

All my rabbits are litter trained except for my elderly rabbit who is approximately 8 years old. I adopted him from a friend but she was unsure if he was 7 or 8 years. He was litter trained but has lost his bladder control now.

Definitley spay or neuter your rabbit as it makes the difference with litter training. My rabbit, Tamago, wasn't fully trained until I had him neutered and now he never has an accident. He also does not chew wires or anything as I provide hay 24/7 and other things to chew on, such as, toilet paper rolls, cardboard boxes, paper bags, untreated baskets, blocks, etc. But every rabbit is different and so you really need to rabbit proof your house if you decide to have a free roaming rabbit. I recommend a cage or room for them when no one is home or if you are sleeping for safety reasons.

And yes, please adopt because there are so many rabbits in shelters. I have found the same as Voodoo that they are the 3rd most common pet in shelters. I was checking out the SPCA and could not believe how many are waiting for homes. I also checked Used Victoria, Victoria Adoptables, and Pet Finder. There are so many it is extremely sad.

Sorry, I pretty much just repeated what Voodoo Joint said, but I wanted to let you know that it isn't just one person that feels this way.

Good luck with everything and keep us updated!
Lynn

[naturestee]

I just wanted to add my two cents and say I agree with VoodooJoint and Lynn.

My rabbits have pens made with grids, and they are three grids high. My little 2 lb girl can almost jump over 2 grids and could probably climb the rest of the way over if I wasn't watching.

My rabbits like going up, so I have large shelves attached to the walls. They hop up and down with no problem.

Read up on rabbits- the link Voodoo provided is great. There's lots of bunny proofing, diet info, health info, etc that you'll need.

And please, please adopt. It's crazy how many beautiful, well-mannered rabbits are in shelters because their 8 year old owners don't feel like caring for them any more. Plus shelter rabbits are often already neutered and they might have a bonded pair available or be able to bond two or more rabbits for you. And that's a lot less stress than doing it yourself, let me tell you!

[bethany]

Okay so I think after what you guys said, I am gonna build it two maybe 3 cubes high(depending on how big they are). Then make a top for it, so they couldnt' climb out. Also with different levels.

I had actually thought about adopting a rabbit, but all the shelters areound here don't have any in them. All they have are cats and dogs, and alot of times its not even a actual "pet shelter" because they just have foster homes.

I would love to have rabbits have them runing aaround the house like cats do. I know people who do that. But the problem is that I have a cat, and two dogs and we are getting another one. So it would be dangerous for a bunny to be running around.

[VoodooJoint]

Originally Posted by bethany

I had actually thought about adopting a rabbit, but all the shelters areound here don't have any in them. All they have are cats and dogs, and alot of times its not even a actual "pet shelter" because they just have foster homes.

Believe me, there are rabbits in your area in need of adoption. What is your zip code? If you let us know what it is we can likely find you plenty of rabbits to adopt.

I have 4 dogs and 4 cats. Both of my rabbits are house rabbits. They have their own area (the size of a room) seperated from the dogs to play in. When I am nearby to supervise they get to run the entire house if they choose. Luckily none of my dogs are aggresive towards my rabbits though. Cats will not normaly go after a rabbit. The one time our newest cat stalked our rabbit (more out of curiosity then to cause harm) the rabbit waited until the cat got close enough and then jumped on the cat and taught her a lesson. She (the cat) now just watches the rabbits from a respectful distance.

[naturestee]

Actually, one of my rabbits (the naughty 2 lb Polish again) is more of a danger to my cats than they are to the rabbits. Although I did choose the cats based on their gentle, non-dominant personalities. One cat is scared of the little buns but adores my 10 lb foster bunny. The other cat keeps trying to get the rabbits to give her belly rubs.

What area are you in? There may be rabbit rescues that you don't know about. Also, vets sometimes have rabbits that their clients abandoned and you can check classified ads and sites like Craigslist.

[bethany]

My zipcode is 52101. I would be worried about my dogs though, not my poodle, I know he wouldn't hurt it. We had a guinea pig for a while, and he lovedit. I don't know if it liked him though. Anyway its my other dog I'm worried about, he is a squirrel hunting dog, and hes always trying ot get into my hamsters cage. And he is so mean to my cat. So I would be afraid of that. I suppose I could probabley find a spot in the house we are moving to for the rabbit, but I don't know if that would work or not. We will have a good sized laundy room, that would be perfect for that. But I was going to put the cats litterbox in that. Shes kindof a mean cat. Shes ate my betas and one day I caught her with the hamsters cage open, with a hamster in her mouth. Thanks god she didn't do any harm before I got there.

[VoodooJoint]

It sounds like you have a few problems with your existing pets and I would not recommend getting any more animals at this time.

Rabbits are extremely social and active animals. They do not like being kept in a cage for most of the time and outddors is not suitable housing at all. Between temperature variations, rain, sleet and snow, predators, bugs and parasites most outdoor rabbit are lucky to make it to 3 years old. They also will suffer horribly form loneliness and lack of exercise as even a large hutch does not have enough room in it to run, jump and play.

It also sounds like you would have problems keeping a rabbit safe indors and it would not be fair to keep your rabbit in a cage for most of the day. Imagine stripping your room down to just a bad, glass of water and food and having to sit there all day, doing nothing and doing this day after day after day for the next several years. This would be the life of a cage kept rabbit.

I think it would be in the best interest of the rabbit/s if you did not get any at this time. Wait until you can offer them an appropriate existance.

[bethany]

I have a heated garage, would I be able to keep then in there, or would the cars coming in and out be too much for it?

[Percy's Mom]

You shouldn't keep any animal in a garage. If the cars are coming in and out, you would still have to keep your rabbit in a cage, and the fumes given off by a car can be lethal.

[bethany]

Maybe I'll just stick with my dogs and fish.