Ideas for Outdoor Bunny Cages

Bunny cages, or hutches, are getting more and more spacious and fun for your pet. According to the ARBA (American Rabbit Breeders Association), while rabbits adapt easily to environments owners should not place outdoor cages anywhere a rabbit would get a direct draft, come in contact with rain or snow, or in full, direct sunlight. When choosing an outdoor cage, envision how you will protect your bunny from the elements.

  1. Covered cottage

    • According to Ideas4Pets.com, growing bunnies and rabbits need a lot of room to move around and play. An outdoor cage with a roof, windows (usually perspex plastic material) and a large front door let a growing bunny move around and explore his cage as well as the protected area around it. Cages with outdoor features like these you can purchase from a retailer and assemble at home. Or, you can consider buying one preassembled to make sure your bunny has a place to call home right away.

    Add a ramp

    • If you have space in your garden or back yard to place the outdoor cage, consider adding a protected ramp. Rubber-coated, nonslip ramps let your rabbit hop down to the lower level section of the hutch which rests right atop the garden.

      Some outdoor hutches feature a little trap door on the first floor of the cages that flips open so the bunny can travel to each level. If you do not want your rabbit down in the garden unattended, you can close the trap door until you're there with your pet to watch over him. You can also build your own ramp addition to the hutch. Be sure you create a nonslippery surface to avoid any injuries.

    Double or triple decker

    • If you are thinking of breeding rabbits--or just adopting more than one--consider a double or triple layer outdoor hutch. You can set these cages above a garden or nice shady spot in the yard with enough area for a rabbit run. Cages are usually made of a fine timber wood that is waterproof and weather-durable.

      Check that the cage features a hinged lid with locking features. The lift-able lid allows you to pick your bunny up easily and also allow for easy cleaning. Also check that the cage has nonslip legs so that the cage will not shift in slippery grass.

    Bedding

    • When selecting comfortable bedding, the bunny's health and warm are the first priority. Choose barn-dried hay, meadow hay, barley straw, wood shavings or paper shredding to line the bottom of the outdoor hutch. If you buy the material, make sure the dust has been extracted and that the material is safe for rabbits to chew should they munch on a piece or two.

    Shared cages

    • According to the ARBA website, rabbits are extremely territorial and tend to prefer living alone if you play and care for the rabbit each day. Breeders and rabbit owners can choose to have an outdoor cage that houses more than one bunny.

      However, the ARBA suggests that owners introduce these bunnies at a young age and if aggressive behavior starts early, separate them. Some owners keep the same hutch for their pet from their bunny-hood to rabbit-hood; others like to change the cage's style and amenities, especially if aggression begins between rabbits.