Housing

Pet rabbits shouldn't be kept outdoors, if it can be helped. They don't tolerate extreme temperatures very well, especially in the summer. Exposure to high temperatures can lead to heat stroke, which can quickly lead to death. Rabbits can usually tolerate cold pretty well, but the cold can lead to other problems such as dehydration if their water freezes and is not changed quickly enough.

A caged rabbit is also very tempting to predators. Even cats and dogs will sometimes go after and kill pet rabbits left alone outside. Wild predators include animals such as birds of prey, raccoons, and coyotes. Even if the predator can't get into the cage and directly kill your pet, the rabbit will panic because it can't run away and hide, which is what its instinct tell it to do. It is possible that they will become so afraid that they will hurt themselves, or die from a heart attack.

Rabbits constantly kept outdoors sometimes pick up parasites, such as fleas, and it is also possible for them to get viruses from biting misquotes. Lastly, rabbits are very social animals, and if kept outside alone will become depressed. If kept indoors, they will seek attention from their owners and the activities of the household will keep them entertained. Surely they'll find ways to keep they're owners entertained as well!

When you get or make your rabbit a cage, make it as big as you can. Even a smaller rabbit would appreciate a large cage. The smaller breeds are often more active then larger ones and thus would love to have a large cage they can run around in. If you have the room, instead of getting your rabbit a cage, make it a pen, or even give it free range of an unused room (see the section on bunny proofing!).

You can buy pens made for dogs and use those. Generally, a cage should be at least 4 times the size of your rabbit. Everything your pet needs, such as a litter box, food and water dishes, toys, and a place to sleep should fit in the cage and still leave room for the rabbit to move around and play.

The type of cage you use for your rabbit doesn't matter so much as long as it is safe and the right size. If you use a wire bottom cage, make sure you cover at least part of the cage floor with something to give your rabbit(s) a place to rest their feet. You could use a piece of sanded wood, a dog bed, or just some newspaper or old towels. Rabbits don't have pads to protect the bottoms of their feet like cats and dogs do, it is uncomfortable for them to stand on wire all the time, and doing so can cause painful damage to their feet.

Rabbit cages you can buy from pet stores are sometimes too small, and usually expensive. A cheaper way to make any size cage you want is to use "Neat idea cubes", or those metal storage cubes you can usually buy at Wal-mart or Target. If you have enough room, and can even make a multi-story rabbit cage.

Your rabbit should feel comfortable and enjoy being in their cage. However, it is still important to allow them time outside their cage, for exercise and interactions with their owners.

These great cage pictures were submitted by rabbit owners: