I am taking care of my parents rabbit for the next months until I can find another home for it. The problem is that I live in a townhouse and the space is actually very limited on where I should keep her. I don't have a yard so I can't keep her outside.
Right now, I have her in a cage but I'm afraid she doesn't have enough room. My roomate is also concerned about sanitation and is afraid that the rabbit will stink and make a mess on the floor. Most rooms are carpeted, with the exception of the kitchen and the bathrooms. How often should I let the rabbit out of the cage to stretch her legs?
Any suggestions?
2007-01-06 02:15:22 · 12 answers · asked by isitlove20 2 in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
I don't personally have a rabbit, but I've read some books on them.
Overall, rabbits tend to be very clean animals, as long as you clean their cage every once in a while. I know, my boyfriend's mother was worried about the same thing, and we asked the pet store, which said they don't stink. The rabbit may kick up some of its bedding out of the cage once in a while, but it's nothing that can't be easily vaccuumed up.
Rabbits need space to run around, or they get unhealthy and depressive. The best bet in your scenerio is to rabbit proof a room (((make sure electrical outlits are covers and no wires can be chewed so the rabbit doesn't get hurt)) and let it run around a couple of times a day. Just keep a close eye on it, and make sure it doesn't get hurt.
Hope this helps.
2007-01-06 02:23:10 · answer #1 · answered by chocolate_acolytes 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Some might disagree, but if the cage is the proper size, it does not "need" to come out. I'm sure the rabbit would appreciate the extra attention, but rabbits are territorial and more solitary animals despite what a lot of activists say.
It depends on the rabbit's personality. All of my animals are handled with care, daily from birth. And I can tell you that some just hate being messed with and want to stay in their cage with their toys. Others love to get out and run, in my rabbitry it really depends on the breed. The New Zealands hate being out and the Tans love the extra attention.
If she is a small animal (4-6 pounds) and 24X 24 cage is sufficient. See the about Tans page at http://www.atrsc.net. Although you may not have a Tan, it does have some care information that may be relevant for a small animal.
If you have room for a larger cage, your rabbit will be happy with the extra room, especially if your roommate does not want her out. That above size is the bare minimum you want, but research says it's sufficient.
If you are worried about it making a mess, don't let it out unsupervised. You could litterbox train it and that might solve some of the problems...but never they still chew and tear up stuff. There's nothing wrong about not litterbox training rabbits, in fact, most are not. So if you choose not to do so, just bare in mind that it should not run free for long periods of time.
Rabbits need traction, so don't let it on non carpeted areas. It can slip. I've seen rabbits break their back that way. I know you mentioned a lack of space, but if you have enough area in your kitchen, you can get a play pen and place cheap carpet squares it in. That way the rabbit does not slip and if it makes a mess, it's easy to clean up. That way you can also let it play with minimal supervision. The play pen can be stored between uses.
Or, if you are really dedicated, take it for a walk in the park supervised and on a harness and leash. Remember, they are prey animals so never let them loose!
2007-01-06 09:05:25 · answer #2 · answered by Tater Salad 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
At least an hour a day. Is she litter trained? If not, get a litterbox and put it in the room. Make sure it is NOT clay litter. That is toxic. Get recycled newpaper. (Yesterday's News) Why Are you taking care of your parents rabbit anyway? Good Luck!If you are worried about stink. Make sure you clean her cage at least once a week. Rabbits are very clean animals. Especially if you just have one.
2007-01-06 02:41:36 · answer #3 · answered by hellopeople13 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Bunnies should be allowed out of their cages a minimum of two hours a day. Ideally, the cage should be left open all day long, and she should be able to hop in and out as she pleases.
If you put a small litter box filled with a rabbit-safe litter (non-clumping!) outside of the bunny's cage, it is likely she will use that to potty in. Thus, no smell.
You will have to watch that she doesn't nibble on electrical wires and wood or upholstered furniture!
Rabbits are generally very clean animals. Their urine tends to be the most stinky part, and changing the litter frequently will take care of that. Their droppings tend to be odorless, and for the most part dry. Thus if she leaves droppings on the floor, you should be able to just vacuum them up.
Be sure to give her plenty of toys in her cage. She should have something wooden to chew on. She should have balls of paper to toss about and tear up. She should have something dangling from the top of the cage to push around and entertain herself with.
I hope this helps!
2007-01-06 02:35:00 · answer #4 · answered by Meg M 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Best thing to do would be to put it in the kitchen.
As for how often you should let her out, it depends on the size of cage and if it is used to being out and about.
If it is used to be out and about then about half a hour a day should be enough.
If it's always been in it's cage, then it should fine in there.
Might be a good idea, if u have the space in the kitchen, to get a pen type of thing with mesh wire so that it can't go very fair but can still stretch it's legs.
2007-01-06 02:20:02 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 3⤋
well our rabbit's go out side a little bit a day but they already our out side rabbit's.
about 2 to 4 hour's a day would be good, for the rabbit to run out side, i know beoucse we have about 8 or 7 rabbit's on the farm at the moment.
and a cage clean out would have to be done once a week, unless it's a inside rabbit then 2 time's a week, would be my guess.
hope this help's! good luck!
2007-01-06 02:21:02 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
some people with indoor rabbits give them free roam of their house, the reason they can do that is because they litter train (yes it is possible) and so the rabbits just go potty in the litterbox rather than on your carpet and you dont feel bad for leaving it in a cage all day long
2007-01-06 02:39:24 · answer #7 · answered by Rattiesrule 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Let her out once a day if you can. In either the kitchen or the bathroom. Be sure to clean up well afterwords.
2007-01-06 02:19:59 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
let her out in a none carpeted area at first but get a litter box and she will probably start using it. make sure there is nothing she can chew on that will hurt her.
2007-01-06 02:48:26 · answer #9 · answered by sam65 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
you should probley let her run everyday if you spray the carpet with vinager she will not touth those places. and for a cage you only have to have a cage 5x3 feet
2007-01-06 02:19:51 · answer #10 · answered by kimmyannbell 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋