Exactly how long can you keep a rabbit in a cage? Like other rabbit owners, this is probably one of the many rabbit-related questions that often go through your mind. To answer this question, we highly advise you do not leave your rabbits in a cage for more than 12 hours, and we will tell you why shortly.
Rabbits are highly social animals that love playing around, and you don’t want to deny them that freedom.
In this article, we will answer most of your questions regarding keeping rabbits in a cage. Let’s get started!
How Long Can You Keep a Rabbit in a Cage?
You should keep your rabbit in a cage for no longer than 12 hours at any given time. If the bunny is not released from their cage within 12 hours, they may have an adverse reaction to being contained and might even hurt themselves trying to escape!
The best way to prevent this situation is by changing up which room you store them in each day.
Rabbits are intelligent animals and know when they’re trapped, so it’s essential to change which room the bunny is in every day instead of always keeping them in one spot.
This will ensure that your rabbit is always active, curious, and happy.
If you must keep your bunny in a cage for an extended period (more than 12 hours), it’s important to change up the room they’re kept in every day so as not to limit their space or mental stimulation.
Is It OK To Keep A Bunny In A Cage?
Generally, it’s not advisable to keep domestic rabbits completely confined to a cage. They need access to a room or large space where they can take care of their natural needs, such as exercise.
Some people use cages as an emergency measure; for example, if the rabbit has recently been introduced into the home and is not yet housebroken, in this case, you should get instructions from your veterinarian about how long it’s safe to keep them confined.
Can A Rabbit Stay In A Cage All Day?
No, you shouldn’t keep your rabbit in a cage all day. A rabbit is no different from any other animal. It needs exercise and socialization.
A bunny who doesn’t get enough space to run around will be bored or even depressed. Some rabbits might even become vicious and start to attack their owner.
A rabbit should be in a cage for about two hours at the most, six hours maximum. Otherwise, you could create an unhappy pet who bites or becomes aggressive over time.
If your bunny is caged all day long, he’ll need lots of enrichment such as hay, toys, and a litter box.
Otherwise, he might chew on the bars of his cage or become stressed about being in confinement. And if your bunny is never let out to play, you’ll have a rabbit that’s unhappy with its lifestyle and not too healthy either!
It is best for a rabbit to stay out of its cage as much as possible, but it can be left inside the house too if there isn’t any danger of escaping.
How Often Should You Change A Bunny Cage?
If you’re just starting out with rabbits, clean your rabbit’s hutch or cage more often in the beginning.
After a few weeks to months, clean less frequently.
The best way to keep bunny cages smelling fresh is by adding some old newspapers and hay inside of them. This will help absorb any urine that may have accumulated.
Bunny cages should also be cleaned with soap and hot water before being refilled.
This will help keep the cage clean for more extended periods.
Inspect your bunny’s hutch or cage every morning to ensure that their litter box is still in good shape and unchanged. This can prevent a few common illnesses from occurring.
You may also like:
- How Do You Show Your Rabbits You Love Them?
- Do Rabbits Get Cold At Night?
- Friendliest Breeds Of Rabbits
- How Often Do You Clean A Hamster Cage?
- How Often Should You Clean Guinea Pig Cage?
Conclusion
How long can you keep a rabbit in a cage? Hopefully, you already know the answer to this question. But to summarize it once again, do not leave your rabbits in a cage for more than 12 hours straight.
Rabbits need enough space to run and play around, and if you try to deny them that freedom, they may become depressed and may end up hurting themselves.