Rabbits are the perfect pet — they’re cute and cuddly, they love to show their owners affection, they don’t require a lot of care and they’re not too big. However, just because these furry animals can be easier to look after than other pets such as dogs, it doesn’t mean housing them correctly should be overlooked.
Choosing the best rabbit cage for your pet rabbit can seem like a daunting task. How do you know which one is best? What size should you go for? Is a cage better than a hutch? Luckily for you, we’ve answered all your rabbit cage questions below, as well as including some of our top picks. Keep reading on to find out more.
What is the Difference Between a Rabbit Hutch and a Rabbit Cage?
Often the terms “rabbit hutch” and “rabbit cage” are used interchangeably, but they are in fact different things. A bunny hutch is normally placed outside, while a rabbit cage is more of an indoor home. You’ll also commonly find cages are made out of plastic and wire mesh, while a hutch is usually made out of wood, metal wires and sometimes even plastic for flooring.
One is not necessarily better than another — they are normally used together. The larger your rabbit is, the more likely they are going to benefit from a hutch rather than a cage because hutches are usually bigger. Cages are also usually transportable, so are preferable if you travel a lot with your rabbit.
Should I Use a Rabbit Cage?
Most owners choose to house their rabbits in large hutches. This gives them adequate room to hop around and they can be placed outside to enjoy fresh grass while still being safe from predators. We advise rabbit owners to use a hutch for their new furry friends, particularly as they are bigger than cages. But this does not mean you should not use a rabbit cage at all.
Rabbit cages can be an extremely useful home to have for your bunny. If the weather is bad outside, ie. it is raining or snowing, your rabbit probably won’t tolerate being left out in it! Having a smaller cage indoors can be a great place to keep your rabbit temporarily. Cages are small enough that they don’t take up too much room, but for this reason you shouldn’t keep a large rabbit in a cage long term.
Rabbit cages are also very functional if you travel a lot and take your rabbit with you. Unlike hutches, they are not heavy and so you will be able to transport them in the car. Some cages are also foldable for extra flexibility. Travelling with a rabbit cage ensures your bunny is safe no matter where you are.
Should my Rabbit Cage be Indoors or Outdoors?
Just like choosing between a hutch and a cage, choosing to house your rabbit indoors or outdoors comes down to personal preference. If you have the space outside, you may want to keep your rabbit outside because a hutch can take up a lot of room inside. However, living outside can be dangerous for a rabbit because they are more accessible to predators such as foxes.
Some owners like to keep their pet in an indoor rabbit hutch because they are closer to them! Many bunnies are kept as house rabbits and spend no time outside. They are given free rein of the house and are trained to use a litter box.
Keeping your bunny rabbit outside allows them to live more like they were intended — and they have the fur coat to keep them warm! A hutch outside will also smell less than one kept inside, although you won’t get away with cleaning them out any less! At the end of the day, it all comes down to what works for you and your bunny.
Features to Look For in the Best Rabbit Cage
Size
There is no point in buying a large cage if you don’t have space for it. However, if you don’t have the space for a cage, you probably don’t have the space for a rabbit. A hutch needs to be at least four times the size of the rabbit, and a temporary cage shouldn’t be much smaller.
If you have a baby bunny, you should buy a cage based on their predicted adult size. Your rabbit will be very uncomfortable if they don’t have enough space to move around in, which can lead to loss of activity and depression in your bun. This can then lead to a shorter life expectancy.
Durability
Rabbits can destroy things if they really want to! Bunnies love to dig and chew, so your cage must be able to withstand this. There is no point in spending a lot of money on a cage if you are going to have to replace it within a few months because your rabbit has broken it. Metal cages with a plastic bottom are a popular choice among rabbit owners because they cannot be chewed through.
Flexibility
The flexibility you need from your bunny cage will depend on whether you are going to need to fold it away or not. If you travel a lot and take your rabbit with you, then a foldable cage is desirable. If you’re just looking for an animal cage that will stay in the house, then a cage on wheels might be best. This way, you can move the cage around if it gets in the way.
Removable Bottom Pan
If the bottom of your bunny cafe is removable, it will be much easier for you to clean. You can remove the bottom and sanitise it, without having to lean into the cage to clean it. Normally, a removable bottom pan is found on cages rather than outdoor hutches.
If you’re looking for the best rabbit cage for your cuddly friend, take a look at the best sellers we recommend below. These are all available to you on Amazon.
Best Rabbit Cage Reviews
1) Midwest Wabbitat Folding Rabbit Cage
The Midwest Wabbitat indoor rabbit cage is a foldable rabbit cage that assembles within seconds with no tools required. This is the perfect cage for taking with you while you are travelling and it packs down easily and compactly, making a great space saver. When assembled, this cage measures 37” L x 19” W x 20” H, providing a decent sized space for a small rabbit. The base of this cage is made of leak-proof plastic and is easily removable for cleaning. The 1/2 inch grid mesh floor supports and protects rabbit’s hocks too.
There are openings on both the side and the top of this cage for easy access to your rabbit and for ease of cleaning, too. A secure slide latch help to keep your rabbit safe while also allowing for a one-handed door opening. This cage is made of durable and sturdy metal, so you don’t need to worry about your bunny chewing through it!
2) AmazonBasics Small Animal Cage Habitat With Accessories
The AmazonBasics rabbit cage measures 47.6” L x 26.6” W x 20.6” H, giving your pet a large living space. Included with this cage is a non-drip water bottle, hay guard and tip-proof food dish as well as a balcony with access ramp, providing your rabbit with the basic accessories they need.
The plastic base is very deep and allows for a lot of bedding for your rabbit, and the iron wire upper frame has large top and front openings for easy inside access. This makes it easy to get your rabbit in and out of the cage as well as making cleaning very simple. The cage is durable and secure and also very easy to set up. While this cage is big enough for smaller to medium rabbits, you may want to look for a larger cage if you have a larger breed.
3) MidWest Homes for Pets Wabbitat Deluxe Rabbit Home Kit
This extra large rabbit cage, also from Midwest, measures 47.16” L x 23.62” W x 19.68” H and provides your medium sized rabbit with a decent space to roam around. This cage is compatible with extensions also from the manufacturer, which would allow you to create a larger hutch for a larger living space, perfect if your rabbit is bigger than average and you struggle to find cages that would work for them.
The cage has a 5.5” deep base to contain litter and bedding and there is convenient access through both the side and the roof of the cage for your bunny and for cleaning. This cage comes with an elevated feeding area, as well as a feeding bowl, hay feeder, and water bottle. These extra accessories provide the basic necessities your rabbit needs, perfect for taking on vacation with you.
4) PawHut Rolling Metal Rabbit Cage
This PawHut rabbit cage comes with four wheels, making transportation easy. Two of the wheels have brakes too, so you can be sure your rabbit is safe and won’t roll away! This cage measures 46.5″ L x 67″ W x 24.5″ H and provides a comfortable living space with a large run. The run is especially useful if your rabbit is larger, and you can extend it too to make a bigger space for your bun to roam.
Built with steel wires for ventilation and durability, this cage will last you a long time. The run can also be folded when not in use so it is easily transportable. A door on the side provides you with easy access to your bunny as well as simple cleaning and there is a deep bottom pan to help keep bedding and urine contained! A balcony and access ramp provide your furry friend with an elevated place to sit and this cage also comes with a water bottle, a water bowl and a food dish, ensuring you have all the necessities if you need to travel with your rabbit.
5) Living World Deluxe Habitat
The Living World Deluxe Habitat measures at 46.9” L x 22.8” W x 24” H, with a 6” deep base, ensuring your rabbit has a lot of space for bedding without pushing their bedding through the bars on this wire cage. The good size of this cage gives a rabbit a lot of room to roam and it comes with a balcony with an access ramp and a tip-proof food dish that secures to the balcony floor. There is also a hideaway space under the balcony to provide your rabbit with a quiet and secure hiding place.
The rabbit habitat also comes with a drip-proof water bottle and a hay guard, both of which are located outside the cage to save interior space and allow easy maintenance access. The wire top opens easily for access, or there is also a wire door at the front for additional accessibility. The cage assembles in minutes using four easy-to-use plastic clips.
6) Kennel-Aire A Frame Bunny House
This rabbit cage from Kennel-Aire is made of strong metal wire and has a slide-out plastic pan for easy cleaning. The cage measures 29.5” L x 16.5” W x 24” H and, due to the smaller size of this cage, is best used for mini breeds of rabbits or simply as a transportable home while travelling. The hutch comes with four wheels for flexibility, too, so you can move it around with no issues.
With front and top doors, this cage provides you with easy access to your rabbit. If you want to create a larger space, you can always add a run to the outside of this cage which will allow your rabbit to come and go as they please. This cage is easy to assemble and will also accommodate other animals such as guinea pigs, hedgehogs, chinchillas and hamsters.
7) Prevue Pet Products 528 Universal Small Animal Home
The Prevue Pet Products 528 small pet cage measure as 32 ½’’ L x 19’’ W x 17 ½’’ H with 3/8’’ wire spacing, giving your furry friend plenty of space to run around in. Perfect for rabbits, hamsters and other small animals, the tight wire spacing ensures your pet will not be able to get free or be accessed by other animals, making it extra safe. The 6 1/4’’ deep plastic base not only has rounded corners for safety but gives you plenty of space to add a lot of bedding without the worry of it being pushed out through the bars.
There is also a sturdy 18’’ long and 12 3/8’’ wide platform with twist knob closure and a wide plastic ramp for access for your rabbit. There are two large doors in the hutch giving you easy access to your bunny and making it easy to clean, which both lock securely with a latch to make sure your rabbit is contained at all times.
Best Rabbit Playpen — Reviewed
If you like the idea of a rabbit cage but are looking for something more temporary that your rabbit can spend a few hours a day in, a rabbit playpen might be for you. These are easy transportable and easily foldable, giving your bunny a space to exercise indoors and outdoors, to mingle with their rabbit toys while still being safe and secure. They also don’t take up a lot of room and can be put away at the end of the day!
Here are two of our favorite rabbit playpens.
1) ToysOpoly Premium Pet Playpen
The large playpen from ToysOpoly is perfect for a range of pets and provides a space for your rabbit to play and roam in a safe environment! Made from durable water-resistant materials, this playpen has a removable zippered top that can be removed for indoor use and closed for outdoor use to provide adequate shade. The bottom is also zippered if your rabbit wants to feel the grass between their toes and a zippered door also provides access for your pet to come and go as they please!
This is the perfect playpen for taking to the park as it is easily transportable, popping up in seconds with no need for any assembly and folding flat for simple storing. It comes with a carry bag as well as four metal stakes to keep the playpen in place when used outside. Mesh on the sides allows for adequate airflow and visibility and a strong internal frame ensures it will stay upright, even if your rabbit is very strong!
2) AmazonBasics Foldable Metal Pet Exercise and Playpen
This AmazonBasics playpen measures 42 inches and provides adequate space for your rabbit (and other pets!) to hop and play. While this doesn’t have a removable top and bottom that can provide protection from the elements, this playpen is still usable both indoors and outdoors. It is made of durable iron metal with a rust-proof black finish and sets up in seconds. All you need to do is unfold, shape and connect the playpen, and it folds down flat for transportability and storage.
This playpen has eight ground anchors for outdoor use. It also has a large step-through door and two secure-locking slide-bolt latches to keep your bunny safe. Even better, if you want to make the playpen larger, you can buy two and attach them together, giving your rabbit plenty of room to roam outside without the worry that they are not secure!
Summary
Providing your rabbit with the right home is extremely important. While a cage may not be right to keep your rabbit in all the time, it can be a great way to temporarily house your bun indoors. Rabbit cages don’t take up a lot of room and are light and easily transportable, perfect for taking on vacation or travelling with your rabbit. Always make sure your bunny can fit comfortably in their cage and ensure they have clean water and hay at all times.