How to Change a Rabbit Cage

Rabbits are usually not messy animals. Most rabbit cages, or hutches, employ one of two methods to contain waste and make changing and cleaning the rabbit cage easier. The first method is a wire mesh cage bottom with a removable tray underneath. The tray is filled with a bedding material that catches the waste. The second method is a litter box filled with a bedding material, inside the cage or habitat. Rabbits can easily be trained to use a litter box. Whatever method you employ, it's important to keep the cage clean to avoid rabbit health problems.

Things You'll Need

  • Fresh rabbit bedding
  • Wire brush or hot water
  • Fresh hay
  • Bleach solution
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Instructions

    • 1

      Pull the tray out from the bottom of the cage, or remove the litter pan from the cage. With a removable bottom tray, usually the whole tray slides out when pulled from the front.

    • 2

      Dump out all the old, soiled bedding, and line the tray or litter pan with clean bedding. You may need to scrub the tray or pan to remove all the waste before refilling it with bedding. Change the bedding at least once a week, up to two or even three times a week, to avoid a buildup of ammonia, which can cause health problems for the rabbit.

    • 3

      Remove any waste that has stuck to the bottom of the cage or landed outside the litter pan, using a wire brush or hot water. Remove any shed fur from the cage. Do this once a week or even once a month, depending on how large your rabbit's hutch is.

    • 4

      Replace any old hay that the rabbit has been using as bedding inside the sleeping area. This also can be done every week or only once a month, depending on the size of the cage and the rabbit's needs.

    • 5

      Give the rabbit's cage a good scrub at least once a month. Use a diluted bleach solution, about ½ cup of bleach per 1 gallon of water, to scrub the sides and bottom of the cage. Use this solution to clean the litter pan or waste tray, as well as any water bottles, dishes, or bowls.

    • 6

      Rinse the cage, tray or pan, water bottles, and bowls several times with clean water to make sure you have removed all of the bleach solution. Let the cage and all of the other rabbit items dry in the sun.