Habitat of Dwarf Rabbits

Breed Information

• Dwarf rabbits such as the Netherland Dwarf, Dwarf Hotot and Polish are the smallest of all of the rabbit breeds. They weigh around 2.5 to 3.5 lbs. when fully grown. The have short, fine fur and and small ears that stand up on their head. The care of these rabbits is essentially the same as other larger breeds except that they do require less food and slightly less space.

Space Requirements

• All rabbits need to have enough room to stretch their legs. Dwarf rabbits need the least space of any other breed, but too much space is never a bad thing, and it is still recommended that the length of any rabbit enclosure be at least four times as long as the rabbit. A good rule of thumb is to find a cage with around 8 square feet of living space, according to the House Rabbit Society (HRS).

Wire Mesh Cages

• A popular choice for rabbit cages is a wire metal cage. These cages are made from three to five sheets of a thick wire mesh. The cages typically have either a small door that is cut into the front of the cage or a hinged roof that lifts up to access food and get the rabbit in and out of the cages.

  Mesh cages are durable, inexpensive and can be easily found at many pet stores and farm supply stores. Wire cages are intended to sit on the floor or be placed on a sturdy shelf or stand. Some come equipped with wheels to make cleaning easier.

  Wire cages often have a wire mesh floor, which allows waste to fall through to a drawer underneath that can be lined with newspaper for easy cleanup. While they may be convenient for the owner, over time, wire-floored cages can be harmful for rabbits. The HRS cautions, "Rabbits were not designed to live on wire floors -- they're hard on their feet (which have no pads on them, like cats or dogs)." They also suggest, "If you must use a cage with a wire floor, you need to provide your rabbit with a resting board or rug for her to sit on."

  Dwarf rabbits in particular have smaller feet than the average rabbit and it is important to be sure that the gaps in the floor are small enough to protect their small feet from falling through the metal wires.

Wooden Hutches

• Some rabbit owners choose to house their rabbits in wooden hutch-style cages. If purchased, these cages are typically more expensive. But they can also be made at home. If you decide to make your own wooden rabbit hutch, be advised that rabbits love to chew wood. Some wood materials are treated with chemicals that could harm the rabbit, so it is important to choose the building materials and design carefully so that the rabbit will not get sick or escape the hutch by chewing it.

Safety Concerns

• Rabbits in general can be easily injured by accidental falls or from jumping out of a high cage. Because of their small size, dwarf rabbits in particular should be handled carefully and protected from falls. For this reason it is safer for the rabbit to place its cage low to the ground.

  A good rabbit habitat will provide a refuge against any incoming threat. If a rabbit is going to be housed outdoors, be sure that its enclosure is in an area that is protected from dogs, cats and any other predatory animal that could threaten the rabbit.

  Rabbits should also not be placed in direct sunlight, as they can easily overheat. Rabbits do not do well in cold winter temperatures either, and it may be safer to keep rabbits indoors during cold or hot seasons.