Rabbit Hutches - Choosing & Buying

Rabbit hutches provide shelter and a home for pet rabbits. Most hutches are made out of wood, but there is quite a large variety of different designs available. Some of the designs have a flat roof, whilst others have an apex roof shape. Rabbit hutches can be one single level, or may be designed with different levels. Many hutches have rabbit runs either attached to them or incorporated into the hutch design.

The construction of a good rabbit hutch is solid, with strong wire mesh in order to prevent predators such as foxes from gaining entrance. The purpose of a rabbit hutch is to keep the rabbit in and keep predators out. It must also provide protection from the weather, and so needs to be waterproof. Most hutches have a waterproof felt roof, and the wood has been treated with a non-toxic sealant.

In addition to providing a dry house for your rabbit, the hutch should also be well ventilated but without having drafts. Many rabbit hutches are raised off the ground as this helps to prevent dampness and deter vermin. Hutch covers are available that help to regular the temperature of the hutch, keeping it warm in cold weather and cooler in hot weather. The ideal place for positioning a hutch is somewhere that receives morning or evening sunlight. This will enable your rabbit to enjoy the good weather without overheating in direct strong sunlight.

Rabbits like to be able to retreat and hide if they feel stressed, and so an area of the hutch should allow this feeling of seclusion. It is a good idea to have a separate sleeping area, so a private corner of the hutch can serve both these purposes. Rabbits will also need to have an area for feeding and a toilet area that is a distance from the food. A feature of a rabbit hutch that will make cleaning much easier is a plastic tray that can be slid out and cleaned. It may be worth adding a tray to the toilet area, as this will help to keep the hutch fresh and clean.

The size of hutch that you should purchase will depend on the number of rabbits you will own, and the size of the particular breed of rabbits. A rabbit hutch should be at least five times the size of your rabbit. When in the hutch, your rabbit should be able to stretch out fully and stand upright comfortably. The bigger you can buy the better as rabbits like to have space.

The doors of the rabbit hutch are an important feature, as they need to allow you to move the rabbit in and out easily. Access for cleaning all parts of the hutch will also need to be convenient for you. The doors of the rabbit hutch will need to fasten with secure locks. Another practical factor to consider is whether the hutch you want can be easily assembled. You will also need to obtain a water bottle, food bowl and hay rack to be added to the rabbit hutch.

Rabbit Care Guide

Rabbits will need to have shelter from predators and the weather and a rabbit hutch will provide this. The floor of the hutch should be lined with newspaper and wood shavings for warmth. Hay or straw bedding that is safe for rabbits to eat should also be used. Rabbit hutches should be cleaned regularly, and the droppings should be removed often in order to maintain a clean and healthy environment for your rabbit.

Rabbits can live for between six and ten years, and so it is worth buying a rabbit hutch that will last. If you have a baby rabbit, ensure that you purchase a hutch based on the size of your rabbit once fully grown. Rabbits are very sociable animals and so can be kept together. It is advisable to neuter the rabbits in order to prevent any fighting or unwanted breeding.

If there is extreme winter weather then you can move the rabbit hutch to a ventilated shed or garage in order to provide additional protection.

Recommended Rabbit Hutch Shops

Choose from the suggested stores below for the best ranges of rabbit hutches available to buy online.

PetPlanet

A range of good value rabbit hutches, runs and cover from PetPlanet.co.uk. Have a look now.