Cages for decorative rabbits: choose a convenient design

Cage for the dwarf rabbit

Rabbits are quite unpretentious animals when it comes to temperature. Dwarf breeds will feel great at temperatures from +10 to +20 Сº, and decorative ones - from -10 to +25 Сº.

The most important thing to avoid is drafts and sudden changes in temperature. Also, the increased or excessively low humidity of the air is of particular danger, if electrical appliances or heaters are constantly working in your apartment - be sure to purchase a humidifier so that your pet is comfortable.

The pet's cage is his home, the place where he eats, sleeps, grows and plays. It is very important that his home is kept clean, so you should clean it regularly. If the tray is located outside the dwelling, you can clean it a little less.

You should also take care of the animal itself - combing the fur, brushing and cutting the claws and trimming the fur from time to time, if you are the owner of a long-haired breed.

Rabbits are easy to train, so get them to the toilet is not difficult. It is advisable that you place the toilet outside his home, so you can clean it less often, and the animal itself will not be forced to sleep next to the latrine.

To accustom the baby to the tray, you should constantly place his litter in the same place - animals react very strongly to the smell, so after a certain time, your pet will already be able to find the right angle.

The best toilet for the animal will be the usual cat tray with bars. As filler, you can use sawdust or the usual filler for cats. Pick up a plastic grid so that the excrement falls through it into the tray itself, filled with sawdust, so your pet will not dirty your paws.

Rabbit in a cage

If you love your little pet, you will not make him spend all his life in four walls. Fluffy kids are very active, curious and sociable - they just need fresh air and new impressions.

Allow your pet to freely walk around the room, and let the cage be only a temporary shelter in which the little animal can always hide at the slightest danger. So it will be comfortable for you and your furry friend.

However, remember that rabbits are rodents, and they don’t cost anything to spoil your electrical wiring and expensive furniture, protect yourself and the animal in advance by restricting access to such things.

Speaking of walks, it is not only about free access to other areas of the apartment, but also about walking the animal outside. By purchasing a special collar and leash, you can have a great time with your little friend.

Rabbits are very sociable and socially active animals, so if you think your pet is sad without company, you can share the same eared partner with him. However, keep in mind that two males can start fighting for territory, so in this case they will have to be settled.

Two little rabbits will get along well together, but it is preferable to contain a sex-sex couple if the male is neutered.

Cell location in an apartment or country house

Rabbit cage

The weight of adults of dwarf rabbits, as a rule, does not exceed 2 kilograms, therefore such a pet is ideally suited for keeping in an apartment. Unlike decorative rocks, the volume of food consumed and, accordingly, waste, in dwarf rocks is much smaller.

With the maintenance of dwarf species, it is better to build a low podium for the dwelling in the apartment, so that the animal can watch what is happening, but do not feel the danger. Choose cozy, bright and quiet places, as animals are afraid of loud and harsh sounds.

In the corridor or in a crowded kitchen, the animal will be uncomfortable, so it is better to install a house somewhere in the corner of the room. Rabbits are very gentle, sensitive and peace loving creatures.

Try to avoid drafts when airing. Do not place animals near batteries, air conditioners or, on the contrary, on the balcony, under the scorching rays of the sun.

Ornamental breeds are larger than their dwarf cousins, and they need more space, so a country house will be an ideal place of residence for the animal.

If you plan to settle an animal on a balcony or a veranda, then take care that the animal is protected from piercing wind, scorching sun, as well as the harmful effects of the external environment.

The dwelling should have a mesh door, give a flow of fresh air. Animals love the fresh air and heavily tolerate stuffiness.

It is desirable to place a house in the aviary so that the animal can rest in it periodically.

If you buy yourself a little friend, you do not know where and how to equip the cage for your decorative rabbit, so that he was comfortable - let him go for a walk, and in the place that he chooses, and put an aviary.

Sizes for different types of rabbits

Cage for the pygmy rabbit do it yourself

The size of the home for your pet must be selected individually. The weight standard for decorative rocks is up to 5 kg, for dwarf breeds up to 2 kg, respectively, and at home for them should be chosen different in size.

Another factor is the amount of time your pet will spend in its shelter. If the animal has the possibility of free walks around the apartment, and the house it uses exclusively as an overnight stay - you can pick it up the minimum size. The minimum cage size for dwarf rabbits is 40x70 cm.

If the cage is a full-fledged house for your furry friend, in which he spends all his time - you should choose a more spacious model, from 35x85 cm.

Ornamental breeds are larger in size, so they need more solid homes. The size of the cage for decorative rabbits varies from 45x80 cm, and models from 50x100 cm are suitable as a permanent habitat.

But do not forget that the more your house is equipped, the more fun your furry friend will have to live there, because in a large model they will have the opportunity to run, jump and entertain themselves in every way. You should not be too strict on the minimum size, because in the choice, the main thing is the comfort of the pet.

The ideal cage is one that is more than four times the size of the animal so that the animal can move freely along it. Height should allow the animal to freely stand on its hind legs. When choosing a size, it should be remembered that constantly being in a limited space, an animal can get deformation of the skeleton and internal organs.

How to choose a cell of the correct design

Cage for decorative rabbit

Pet safety and ease of cleaning are the main conditions when choosing a good home for the animal. The constituent elements should not be pointed or protruding so that the animal does not hurt.

It is necessary that the trough and the feeder also be rounded. The surface of the floor should not be slippery and wet, so that your pet does not injure the paws and falls ill. The most convenient option is a floor of plastic mesh with a pallet.

It is best to choose a model whose ceiling and walls are constructed of rods, preferably galvanized. Often, rabbits gnaw anything that comes their way, so the coating must be stable, durable and not coated with polymer paint. Ideal option with a lattice body and a plastic tray about 15 cm deep.

As a litter, it is preferable to use sawdust, newsprint, shavings or straw, in general, all that perfectly absorbs urine. This will save you from unpleasant odors and allow you to quickly and easily clean the floor.

Since rabbits gladly crawl in the litter, it must be changed as often as possible in order to protect the animal from unwanted diseases and insects. It is not advisable to use peat litter, as it contributes to the formation of large amounts of dust and thus irritates the airways of your pets.

Cage for transportation

Many owners do not buy the carrier in advance, justifying it by the fact that the animal will not be sick, and no one is going to transport it somewhere. This position often leads to the fact that in critical situations, when the animal is sick or you need to urgently leave and leave it on the overexposure - the means for transportation is simply not at hand.

Care should be taken in advance and ensure that your pet is carried. The size of such a bag or container does not matter, as long as the animal is free to fit there, as an option, the cat carriers are perfect. Be sure to lay something soft on the bottom, because the animal's feet slide across the plastic and it will not be able to feel calm.

Estimated cell prices

The cheapest net variant without a pallet for decorative rocks costs 2000 rubles. Average prices for more decent models - from 2500 to 4000 rubles, depending on the size and manufacturer.

The complete set with the pallet for dwarf breeds will cost you 3000 rubles.

Many breeders do not recommend buying used cells, because if the previous tenant died from a viral disease, your pet can easily catch the disease, even if you thoroughly wash the tray.

The main thing is pet care

It is difficult to find a person indifferent to cute and funny dwarf rabbits. Fluffy beauties cause positive emotions, both in children and adults.

It seems that the list of necessary things is very long, but after you have acquired a pet, you are fully responsible for it. So if you’ve got yourself a little friend, you need to fully ensure that he is comfortable and cozy.

Decorative rabbits and cages for them

Two basic requirements of any cage for ornamental rabbits, formulated by veterinarian specialists. Two requirements apply to any rabbit cage:

• Conveniently decorative rabbit, then adult pet,
• easy for a man caring for a pet.

The choice of breed of decorative rabbits, on the one hand, and the choice of cage for it, are long-term human acquisitions, calculated for a long period of maintenance.

Choosing the right cell

Cages for decorative rabbits should be selected based on the size of the animal. Decorative breeds of dwarf rabbits rarely reach a weight of more than two kilograms. Almost always, such animals give birth to home comfort in an urban dwelling type (apartment, insula, cottage).

They take pets in a home with a different purpose: as a companion for a lonely person, as a pet of a family. But all lovers should be united by the desire to create comfortable conditions for a pet to live.

For a rabbit, a secluded corner is needed, where he can hide, rest, need a house, a refuge, a safety island.

Dimensions of the cage for the domestic rabbit

The cage must be selected under the dimensions of the bunny. This is the first and most important condition. The optimal size of the cage for the decorative rabbit should correspond to the sizes:

Such cells are not often found in pet stores. Sometimes they have to be ordered in advance and wait for some time. Therefore, before buying a decorative rabbit, find out the range of cells in the pet stores of the city, or in online stores, compare where the cheaper and more convenient design.

Do not buy rabbits cages common sizes in pet stores:

For a little rabbit, hamster or mumps, such a dwelling will be just right, but for an adult animal it is not enough. Therefore, the purchase of a small cage is a double waste of money, and a cell that is not needed later is fused somewhere.

Used decorative rabbit cages

Second-hand cages for rabbits can of course be purchased, but they are not in particular demand. Many fans prefer new cages of ornamental rabbits, where the probability of persisting infection is absent. Viral diseases - myxomatosis and viral hemorrhagic disease of rabbits can persist for some time on the metal parts of the cell, somewhere in the corner. The causative agents of these diseases are deadly to rabbits, sick rabbits usually die.

Sometimes rabbit hemorrhagic disease is called rabbit plague (plague). Although this is not correct in terms of terminology, it is true because of the danger to the animal's body.

What cages exist for decorative rabbits

Cages for domestic rabbits are diverse. On sale you can find a variety of designs, comfortable and not very. Without resorting to the description of specific models, we will try to systematize cages for rabbits that are commercially available or variants that can be made independently with our own hands at home.

Requirements for keeping rabbits

To maintain the good health of your pet, you need to create comfortable living conditions for him. First of all, like many other pets, rabbits need space. And even if you purchased or made a chic and spacious cage with your own hands, you still need to release a decorative rabbit at least once a day. Fine if the duration of such walks will be 1.5–2 hours. With a lack of motor activity in a rabbit, muscles can atrophy, weaken the skeleton, and internal organs can be deformed. Therefore, the movement is very important for this pet.

The second quality of the dwarf rabbit is its cleanliness. It is homemade the animal feels very bad in unsanitary conditions. Any bacteria, viruses, fungi cause various serious diseases in rabbits that are difficult to treat. To improve immunity, a pet should be vaccinated against various diseases in a timely manner.

The dwelling of ornamental and dwarf rabbits must be kept clean. Therefore, the floors in the cage must be cleaned at least once a week. But to wash and disinfect the plates for food and drinkers will have every three days. Once a month it is necessary to carry out a complete cleaning and disinfection of the rabbit's dwelling. During the general cleaning it is prohibited to use various chemicals and detergents that you use when washing dishes and baths. The smell of such substances and their residues can harm the rabbit.

Cleaning is best done with hot water and disinfection with a solution of potassium permanganate. Drying the cells is best carried out in sunny weather outdoors to kill the remaining microbes.

Rabbits are very clean animals, but the owner will have to devote a lot of time to caring for the pet's hair coat. She will need to be combed at least, and long-haired breeds should also be cut regularly.

When it comes to ambient temperature, rabbits are considered to be quite unpretentious pets. Dwarf rabbit breeds feel great at temperatures from + 10 to + 20. Decorative rabbits are even less demanding on temperature fluctuations. For them, the temperature is considered comfortable from -10 to + 25. The most important condition for keeping your pet healthy is no drafts and high or low humidity. Therefore, if the apartment is constantly used electric heaters - you need to think about purchasing a humidifier.

Cage requirements

The cage for the decorative rabbit, like the cage for the dwarf rabbit, should be four times the size of the pet itself. The cell must contain:

• Crib for hay. Hay for food, lying on the floor, quickly deteriorates, so be sure to arrange a special place in the cage,
• Drinking bowl. For your pet's permanent access to the water, the cage must be equipped with a drinker. You can make a drinking bowl with your own hands from an ordinary bowl, while it is necessary to provide for its attachment so that the animal could not overturn it. But more practical is the use of automatic nipple watering systems. The rabbit, striking the tongue at the ball valve, brushes away a drop of water from the system. This type of automatic watering allows the cage to be kept clean and dry.
• Bowl feeder for loading grain feed. It is advisable to use ceramic dishes with a wide and heavy bottom, so that the rabbit could not turn it over. The mounted feeders, which are attached to the cage grid with their own hands, are very convenient to use. It is easy to fill such a feeder with food, and also to simply remove and wash it,
• House for privacy. This rabbit house can be made with your own hands from real wood. Painting and processing of wooden structures with varnish is not allowed to prevent poisoning of your pet,
• Tray. It is preferable to use a plastic tray with a depth of about 15 cm. Some breeders recommend to put the pieces of paper or paper napkins first, then chips or sawdust on the bottom of the tray. При таком расположении ингредиентов значительно упрощается процедура уборки лотка. А вот некоторые владельцы предпочитают наполнять лоток кошачьим древесным наполнителем, но при этом обязательно нужно накрывать его мелкой решёткой. Конечно, что лучше использовать для удаления запаха, решает каждый хозяин индивидуально.The tray is preferably attached to the bars of the cell.

To avoid problems with the health of your pet, the bottom of the cage should not be slippery. It is the hard floor that can cause inflammation on the pet's hind legs. The use of sawdust for bedding is undesirable, as they stick to the legs and fur of the animal. It is better to use soft fabric as bedding.

Must be placed in a cage mineral stone for rodents (red-brown wheel).

The location of the cage for the decorative rabbit

Particular attention should be paid to the location of the cage for the decorative rabbit in the apartment. Install the cage is desirable away from radiators and air conditioners air, in places where the occurrence of drafts, which carry the greatest danger to the health of your pet, is impossible. To prevent overheating, cage can not be placed in the sun.

It is advisable to find a quiet place in your apartment, where there is no noise and little movement so that your favorite animal can rest easy. Do not install a cage for a decorative rabbit in the kitchen, in the hallway or on the corridor. It will not be out of place to make a small podium with a height of 2–4 cm with your own hands. If it is possible to ensure optimum temperature and good ventilation, you can take the cage to the glazed loggia during the warm season.

For owners of country houses and cottages, there are cell placement options in the summer on the street. It should be borne in mind that dwarf rocks are more sensitive to temperature and drafts than decorative ones. Therefore, to protect the rabbit from the wind, it is necessary to close two or three sides with plywood or thick cardboard.

Cohabitation in a cage

When keeping several animals, it is advisable to make each rabbit a separate cage. If you place two undistorted males in one cage, then they will start serious fights, because in 2.5–3 months they will begin to divide the territory. Females become aggressive to each other a little later, reaching puberty.

If two different sex rabbits live in a cage, an early offspring may appear as early as 12 weeks. And it is deadly for the female.

The best option would be to keep two sexually opposite animals together when the male is neutered. At the same time, the male is castrated at the age of 6 months, and then his girlfriend is acquired. First, they are introduced to neutral territory, and only then they are placed in one cell.

Cage for decorative rabbit do it yourself

You can make a simple plywood cage yourself:

• Cut a rectangle to the floor size with a hacksaw,
• Wood upholstered with thin tin. The edges of the tin must be bent to the animal could not get hurt. Tin is needed to improve cell cleaning,
• Then cut out of plywood one of the side and back wall,
• Bottom and walls are connected with screws. In this case, you need to carefully monitor that the fastener never spoke and could not injure your pet,
• Attach a fine mesh to the wooden rails,
• Then we connect the side wall with the rest of the structure and hang the door using hinges,
• Pre-cut and obbyv tin, set the ceiling for the second floor of the house,
• Mount the ladder to connect the two floors. The ladder can be made from a board, having filled planks with a step of 3-5 cm on it,
• Making the roof. It is better to make it removable, which greatly simplifies cleaning the house.

The simplest and cheapest option is to make a cage from an old table. On the floor lay a sheet of linoleum on the size of the table. The table itself is set on top. We sew the side and back walls with a sheet of plywood or mesh. We mount on the front wall of the hinge, we hang doors on them. The cage is ready.

Remember that making a cage with your own hands, you can take into account all the habits and habits of your pet. First you need to purchase or make a cage and everything you need to keep your pet, and then acquire a rabbit.

Cages for the individual content of the decorative rabbit

• combined,
• all-metal,
• wooden factory and homemade,
• transportable cells.

In short, you can get confused. Sometimes, the richer the choice, the harder it is to choose the right one. Our task is to tell about the advantages and disadvantages of different designs, the choice is always yours.

Rabbit cage

Cages for domestic rabbits of a large size, provides for the content of several rabbits. If in the near future you will acquire a “friend” for your pet, then it is preferable to take a cage for two, even if initially one pet will live in it. It is impossible to be in one cage to two decorative rabbits, both heterosexual and unisexual.

• First, one day small ones can be born, and these are unnecessary problems.
• Secondly, there is a risk of not only peaceful coexistence, but also endless fights for leadership.

The best large (group) cages for rabbits are captive type cells.

A photo. Options for rabbit enclosures, the design provides for joint walking with poultry

• Advantages: rabbits are spacious, open-air cages high, resemble open space, the animal feels like in the wild, inside you can freely place additional equipment, from a wooden house for sleeping and shelter, bowls, water bowls, toilets, to runners and other numerous devices for games.
• The main disadvantage: they are expensive and occupy a lot of useful space. In urban homes, where there is a small garden, an aviary can be installed or do it yourself at the street. Just remember that rabbits are big lovers of digging holes, you need an open-air cage with a solid floor (base).

Combined cells

All cages for rabbits of this type are made according to one principle: a plastic pallet, which is easy to clean and an iron lattice. Meanwhile, let's approach the choice of cells responsibly.

A photo. Combined cage of a decorative rabbit with a comfortable deep bottom, consists of a plastic pallet and a metal grill

Combined cells of the same type, Many of them are convenient for animals and well washed, disinfected. To select these cells, pay attention to the size of the cage, the size of a decorative rabbit.

Wooden, manufactured in a factory

Nowadays, wooden cages, manufactured by the factory method, are very rare. Usually they are produced in small batches, often under the order. The cells can be very aesthetic, but they are not suitable for the daily maintenance of the rabbit. Probably such products are better suited for placement on the street: under a canopy, if there is no reliable roof, or as a stand-alone structure, if there is a moisture-proof roof.

A photo. Wooden cage with queen cell. Neatly made copy

Wooden cage for decorative rabbit do it yourself

A homemade rabbit cage is usually made of wood, rarely of metal. The standard set of the builder includes bars, material for covering walls, floor and ceiling, galvanized mesh section of the cell 15x20 mm, wire diameter 2 mm. Convenient cage designs for rabbit Zolotukhin or Mikhailov. In fairness, it should be noted that they are designed for large rabbits, but when breeding ornamental rabbits, they are quite suitable for breeding dwarf breeds of rabbits in rural areas.

Metal cage for a dwarf rabbit do it yourself at home

For the manufacture of cells needed: clipper, brackets or clips, scissors for metal. The main tool for a metal cage for a rabbit is a machine for accurate, beautiful bending of the grid. A good machine allows you to make products no worse than factory cages for rabbits. The machine can be made with your own hands.

The cage for a decorative rabbit with their own hands usually looks less aesthetically pleasing than the finished, factory. Homemade cages for the rabbit are made by craftsmen from scrap materials, so homemade products are often placed far away: on the balcony in an apartment or country house on the street. Well-made cages are the decoration of the site, it is pleasant and better to keep rabbits in them.

Transportable cages of ornamental rocks

For transportation of a rabbit transport or mobile cages are thought up. The people call them carrying. The rabbit is a social creature, and the owners should not leave the pet itself. Such cells are used for visits to the veterinarian or for short journeys by car, plane, or train. Their choice in pet stores is extensive.

When buying, pay attention to the size of the cage and pet. It is better to immediately take a cage for carrying a rabbit more (for growth) with comfortable breathing holes, so that the animal can breathe freely. In hot weather, rabbits often have heat strokes, so in the summer, be sure to look after the rabbit in the carry and stock up on drinking water. To water the rabbit when you need it.

Cage floor decorative

Many manufacturers make slatted floor in the cells. However, such a decision is not the best choice. The fact is that rabbits will cling to the lattice with their claws and may injure the legs. Some owners cover the floor with a wooden or plastic sheet to avoid negative consequences. However, if there is an opportunity to buy a cage with a good pallet, it is better to pay a little more, but a priori, take a convenient cage.

Base cage of ornamental rabbits

The higher the plastic base, the better, less debris and dirt will be thrown from the cage. The entire width of the bottom of the cage is usually covered with hay, bedding, and this is the main source of spreading debris around the cage of the ornamental rabbit. Recently, however, commercially available devices for the cell, which exclude any litter of organic and mineral materials. The device is called trapik, it is also used for the prevention of rabbit Pododermatitis - diseases of the paws.

Tropic - plastic grille on the bottom of the rabbit cage. Good ladders consist of wide plastic plates fastened together.

A rabbit toilet is also installed at the bottom of the cage. Therefore, the tray must be deep, so that rabbit litter, waste should not go beyond its premises.

Cage door decorative rocks

This option is more convenient for the owner. Choose a cage so that your hand can fit in the door. Sometimes you want to take a pet, the hand must be free to go through the door.

Be sure to choose a home from non-toxic materials. The cage must be quickly disassembled and easy to clean. It is advisable to choose a house for the pet is not painted, so that the rabbit is not nibbling paint.

How to maintain cleanliness in the aviary and cage for the rabbit

It is necessary to wash the cage at least twice a month. Inside the dwelling it is necessary to tidy up daily, and more often in the summer, 2-3 times a day, to prevent the spread of odors. It is advisable to enclose the aviary with various rabbit lotions: bedding, feeders, water, toys, toilet, etc.

The cage should be spacious. Consider that you will need to install a toilet there, a feeding trough, a laying, and at the same time, the rabbit must have enough space for movements and games.

Aviary needs to be removed as needed. Rabbits are nimble animals and playful, so they can bring order to the aviary in five minutes. Usually, cleaning takes a little time, but you need to clean when the rabbit enters the cage.

Keeping rabbits in the apartment

Decorative rabbits need proper nutrition, a warm room, no drafts and direct sunlight, and a clean and spacious cage. The cage for the rabbit should be cleaned regularly - this is a guarantee of the animal's health, because a lot of harmful microbes reproduce in the dirty litter and the crowded toilet. Daily care in addition to feeding and watering includes combing wool.

Rabbits are fairly freedom-loving animals and many breeders advise using the cage only as a shelter option, for sleeping and feeding. Otherwise, they give the animal the opportunity to move around the apartment. With this content, the rabbit will be caged for several hours a day, move a lot and feel quite comfortable.

Permanent living even in a very large cage without walking will adversely affect the emotional state of the rabbit and lead to many diseases.

It is worth remembering that rabbits are social animals and there can be several pets in one cage. However, keep in mind that males can be aggressive in the fight for females and territory. If it is not possible to castrate a male, it is better to keep adults in different cages, but close to each other. A pair of rabbits can live peacefully together if the male is castrated.

Cell location

The cage for the decorative rabbit should not stand close to heating devices or under air conditioners. The place where the cage is located must be protected from drafts. It is also unacceptable to place cells in direct sunlight. The best place is bright, located in the room opposite the window. In the warmer months, a cage with an animal can be taken out on a balcony or loggia. In this case, it is necessary to place the dwelling of the rabbit in a well-darkened place to avoid overheating and death of the animal.

Do not place the cage on the unglazed balcony - rabbits are very sensitive to drafts and temperature changes.

Cage dimensions

The size of the cage for ornamental rabbits depends on the size of the animal and the possibility of it being outside its refuge. For an animal that spends 4-6 hours free, the minimum size of the cage is 45 to 80 cm. If the rabbit is limited in range, then the size of its dwelling is increased to the minimum 55 by 100 cm at a height of 40 cm.

Cell selection

When choosing a home for your pet, it is worth remembering that it should be safe and convenient for both the animal and for cleaning. Safety is the absence of sharp corners, cuts or elements about which the animal may be injured. Drinking trough and feeders should also have rounded shapes. The bottom of the cell is better to choose from the grid with a small section. The best option would be a cage, the walls and ceiling of which are made of metal rods. It is not worth buying painted options - they look more attractive, but the habit of rabbits to gnaw everything can play a cruel joke and “try on the tooth” their new home, the rabbit may well get poisoned by paint.

House made of durable organic glass is not the best choice.

Such housing guarantees cleanliness around the cage, but does not have adequate ventilation and on hot days the animal may get overheated, get sick or even die.

Shelter, feeders and bedding

Proper organization of the new house for the rabbit should imply the presence of a toilet, shelter, feeders and drinkers. An automatic drinker will keep the water fresh and protect it from dust, lint, feed particles. Feeders should be two - one of them is a deep bowl for animal feed and treats. Grass, lettuce, hay and vegetables are placed in another feeding bowl, in the form of a tray or creches. Hay or straw can be used as a litter; large sawdust will do as well. Some breeders use soft bath mats or corrugated cardboard as bedding.

In the cage, you must install a wooden house, which will serve the rabbit with a reliable shelter. Instead of a house, you can put a box - the animal can improve it to his taste by making additional doors or windows. It is better to accustom the rabbit to the toilet - tray, it will facilitate the cleaning of the home. It is forbidden to use cat litter - the rabbit will gnaw on absorbent granules and provide itself with serious poisoning. The bottom of the tray is covered with paper, on top of which sawdust or chips are poured.

Materials for production

• Blueprints,
• Nails and hammer
• Plywood,
• Self-tapping screws
• Tin sheet, thickness 0,2
• Mesh cut,
• Nail file and scissors

Drawings can be made independently, and you can find a ready-made version. The cage can be in one or two tiers. Construction starts from the floor. For this sheet of plywood is cut to the desired size. Considered the best dimensions - 90x60x50 cm for one adult animal. A tin sheet of the same size is put on the plywood. You can do without it, but with a tin on the floor cleaning the cage will be many times easier. Next, cut the plywood for the walls. If the house for the pet is supposed to be in two tiers, then the side wall and the back are made of plywood, and the rest are made of mesh. Everything is fastened together with nails and to the floor with self-tapping screws. The door is made of mesh and slats, measuring about 30 by 30 cm. The second tier is made of plywood and fastened with screws to the first. The ladder of wooden slats and plywood must be at least 15 cm wide. And troughs and drinkers that can be bought at the pet store are mounted on the first tier, and pet shelter on the second tier.

Do not cover the walls of the house for the rabbit varnishes or paint. The substances contained in them can be dangerous to the life of the animal!

Другой вариант изготовления клетки предусматривает использование старого деревянного стола. К ножкам крепятся деревянные рамы с металлической сеткой, натянутой на них. Важно зачистить все места крепления сетки – не должно быть никаких острых углов, торчащих саморезов или прочих деталей. На месте задней стенки устанавливается лист фанеры. Спереди на раму крепятся петли и дверца. The space can also be divided into two or even three tiers, if dimensions permit, by installing ladders and a mesh floor between tiers. Any non-slippery material is laid on the bottom. Feeders and tray placed on the first tier, the house on the second.

Cage for a decorative rabbit - choose correctly

The cage is a convenient and practical home for an ornamental rabbit, with the proviso that it should be spacious enough and made of environmentally friendly materials.

Ready-made cages for decorative rabbits are available in pet stores and are presented in a standard design: the lower part is covered with a plastic pallet, on top of the space is limited to a wire frame.

This product is usually intended for several animal species at once: hamsters, guinea pigs and rabbits. Rabbits are the largest animals of this trio and are the least fortunate of all, because often the cages offered are frankly small.

Therefore, when choosing a cage for an ornamental rabbit, the main and main parameter from which to push off is the size of the future dwelling.

They stop at the most spacious cage of the entire range that is available. Unfortunately, today the market does not give enough choice and many of the presented cells are completely unsuitable for keeping rabbits.

The minimum cage size for a small ornamental rabbit (Holland Ram or Dwarf Hotote) is 1.5 m × 0.6 m × 0.6 m. Of those on sale, only a few, with a length of 120 cm, approach this minimum standard, while others have unacceptably small dimensions - 55‒65 cm long.

For a representative of a larger breed, when choosing or building a cage, the principle is observed that the rabbit must easily rise on its hind legs and be able to make two or three jumps.

In addition, it is necessary to provide enough space for a rest corner, feeders, drinkers, tray-toilet, toys, as well as free space for movement.

To get out of a problem situation, a good solution is to join an open-air cage to a standard cage 90-120 cm long, as shown in the figure below. The convenience of this option is that, if necessary, for some time, the cage can be closed and the aviary removed.

Buying a cage, never be guided by the size of a small bunny. After a couple of months, you will not recognize your pet, and the home will become hopelessly cramped.

Cage height

The rabbit should be able to stand on its hind legs without clinging to the ceiling with its ears. Many cages are designed for guinea pigs and are too low for rabbits with erect ears. The height of the cage for decorative rabbits of such breeds should be at least 60 cm.

For small lop-eared breeds (Dutch Rams), this indicator may be less - about 50 cm.

Cell floor

Wire grid floor is unsuitable for permanent residence of decorative rabbits. You will need to cover it with dense material (wooden, plastic panel) or just refrain from buying this particular cell.

Rabbits' tender legs are injured on the metal bars, an infection penetrates through the wounds, and the occurrence of an unpleasant chronic disease of levitus may occur. Particularly prone to this disease are Dex's rabbits with their thin fur.

Pallet depth

This characteristic also differs in cages for ornamental rabbits from different manufacturers. It is better to choose the option with a more capacious pallet, since hay, bedding, shredded cardboard and other vital activity results of the active rabbit tend to spread throughout the room.

Cell door

The cage door for an ornamental rabbit must be wide enough so that, if necessary, you can reach a sick, sluggish pet, for which the arm must pass freely through the opening.

It is necessary to provide convenient for the pet input-output, additionally equipping the ladder. Often, in purchased ready-made cages for ornamental rabbits, the thresholds are too high and the hurried, hurrying to their only refuge, hurts themselves.

Be sure to think about where you plan to install a home. The best wide door will be useless if it is limited to a piece of furniture or a wall.

The cage material for the decorative rabbit should be easily washable, non-toxic, do not contain elements of fine wire mesh and parts of chipboard, too wide gaps through which a clever rabbit can sneak into the wild.

In most cases, the cage rods are galvanized or coated with plastic, which prevents the occurrence of rust. White lattices look more aesthetically pleasing, which seem easier and fit well into the interior.

A great idea is a multi-story cage for an ornamental rabbit, which allows you to save horizontal space, often limited in apartments, by building up vertical blocks.

In this case, a sleeping compartment is placed on one of the floors, toys are placed, and on the other, often below, all household equipment is installed - from the feeder to the toilet tray. The floors are interconnected by a wide gentle ladder along which mobile animals move with pleasure and ease.

In addition to compactness and additional living space, such a dwelling allows rabbits to exercise, climbing up and down, while in a regular cage they are limited in movement.

Place of residence should be quiet, cool, away from drafts and heating appliances. The cage for the decorative rabbit is placed near the source of illumination, but with the expectation that the sun's rays would not heat the dwelling, which can be fraught with overheating. In addition, this twilight animal likes to sleep during the day, and excessive, too bright light will interfere with rest.

Cage for decorative rabbit: recommendations for making

The limited choice of spacious cages, as well as the incredibly high prices for these products, cause a natural desire to build a cage for an ornamental rabbit on its own. This may indeed be the only successful solution.

So, consider what you need to consider when making a home for an ornamental rabbit.

Cage for decorative rabbit: determine the size

This is a decisive factor and, as a rule, the design is sought to be as spacious as possible. How to calculate the optimal size?

Repel from such a formula:

• 1.1 sq.m. (for example, 0.6 m × 1.8 m) allocate for the sustenance of a small ornamental rabbit, that is, under the cage itself,
• 3 sq.m. (for example, 1.2 x 2.5 m) for physical activity - games, jogging, jumping.

If necessary, these two spaces are delimited, but the transition from one to the other is made free.

For the maintenance of large ornamental rabbits, two or more individuals, the size of the cage and walking range increase, respectively.

When setting the width, consider the area required for the booth and tray-toilet, so that these bulky items fit in a new cell.

Cage for decorative rabbit: accommodation

When planning the construction, first of all, decide where the new dwelling of your decorative rabbit will be located. The construction of the most ideal cage can turn into disappointment if the door, cabinet or it will block the electrical outlet prevent installation or use.

Take a look around, it is possible that a built-in wardrobe or an old chest of drawers would suit you best, as in the photo below.

Fantasy lovers have no limits, and often enthusiasts find unexpected, not always the best solutions.

In the next photo, a cage from two compartments is located quite unfortunately, near a TV set with powerful speakers, which will be a source of constant stress for fearful and impressionable decorative rabbits.

The advantages of living furry pets next to a person can turn out to be disadvantages in the ill-conceived placement of the home.

Consider that decorative rabbits sleep when people are awake, and begin an active life while they are still sleeping at home - around 5.00 in the morning.

Cage for decorative rabbit: materials

Wood is the most eco-friendly and natural material. However, rabbits tend to gnaw and, while gnawing at wooden corners, your pet grinds down its teeth, which is very useful and takes its mind, which is excellent at all, some wooden parts will have to be replaced over time. In addition, a significant disadvantage is that wooden surfaces are difficult to clean and disinfect.

Do not take for the construction of houses sheets of MDF or particleboard. In their manufacture of toxic materials are used, and the rabbit, crushing such a detail, can inhale and swallow harmful dust and large particles.

Practical, inexpensive, harmless corrugated plastic sheets Correx, available on the market of building materials in different colors, but these sheets are also not very resistant to rabbit teeth.

In the photo: plastic sheets Correx

Metal grill

When building a cage for a decorative rabbit, it is better to use a welded lattice of rods than a regular woven mesh, in which a fussy pet can be injured by hooking a cell with a tooth or tearing a shred of wool.

Acquire a ready-made grille, already galvanized or painted, or process the workpiece independently, for which you can use aerosol enamel intended for the restoration of household appliances. This coating is harmless and in the dry state will last a long time, and if necessary it refreshes.

It is undesirable to cover wooden parts with paint or varnish; it is better to leave them in their natural form. The walls, near which the cage is located and to which the rabbit should not get its teeth, are painted with water-based paint.

Floor material

Choosing material for a floor, stop on the dense, easily washing covering. For these purposes, well suited linoleum, laminate or plastic pallet.

Covering the floor with sheets, be sure to close the edges with special wooden or plastic corners (baseboards) so that the decorative rabbit cannot pry and start nibbling the floor. At will, a part of such a floor can be covered with a woven rug on which it will be comfortable for him to rest.

Consider the need for cleaning!

When planning a cage for a decorative rabbit, try to avoid the lack of most ready-made samples with doors that are too narrow. They are difficult to tidy up, it is impossible to pull out the toilet tray and clean the corners without removing the upper frame.

As you build up the structure, also consider how convenient it will be to keep order on the upper floors, and whether this will become a problem in the future. Avoid narrow spaces that can easily be filled with hay and bedding, for example, the gap between the grate and the tray.

Now you know more about cages for ornamental rabbits! Good luck and health to you and your pets!

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