Stepping into the world of pet cages is like stepping down the rabbit hole. They are all over the marketplace in more shapes, sizes and types than what you’d ever expect to find. And the problem only gets compounded if you are looking to find the best rabbit cage.
‘What cage works best for a wabbit?’
First time rabbit owners are often more confused than a cow at Astroturf about what cage to select for their bunnies. With all the bunny myths that float around in the mortal world, it is no wonder that they get it wrong more often than not.
Thankfully, your friendly neighborhood bunny whisperer is here. And today we are going to talk exclusively about rabbit cages. I am going to show you what to look for, what not to look for, things to avoid and factors to consider while choosing a rabbit cage.
What’s even better is that I will throw in my handpicked elite list of rabbit cages, neatly organized into different categories letting you pick one that best suits your home.
- Best Cheap Rabbit Cage – Ware Manufacturing Home Sweet Home Pet Cage
- Best Large Rabbit Cage – Living World Deluxe Habitat
- Best Outdoor Rabbit Cage – Merax Wooden Pet House
- Best Wire Rabbit Cage – Wabbitat
- Best Multi Level Rabbit Cage / Best Stackable Rabbit Cage – Critter Nation Small Animal Cage
- Best Extra Large Rabbit Cage – Living World Deluxe Habitat
- Best Extra Large Rabbit Cage – Ferplast Krolik 140 Plus Rabbit Cage
- Best Small Rabbit Cage – Precision Pet Rabbit Resort Rabbit Cage
- Best Rabbit Cage With Pull Out Tray – Homey Pet-3 and 1 Tiers Chinchilla Hamster Rat Ferret Cage
- Best Rabbit Cage On Wheels – Kaytee My First Home Deluxe Rabbit 2-Level Cage with Caster Wheels
I will take you through (not literally) each one of those cages explaining the features, the pros and the cons. Once you are done with this article, you will be hopping home with the best rabbit cage in the market and you will have one happy bunny at home.
So sit back and enjoy munching through those carrots.
Editor’s Choice – The Best Rabbit Cages
#1 – Best Cheap Rabbit Cage – Ware Manufacturing Home Sweet Home Pet Cage
Looking for an inexpensive housing solution for your bunny (ies)? Take a look at this dainty little rabbit cage from Ware Manufacturing. It has a two piece wire frame design that assembles in a jiffy and keeps your bunnies safe and comfortable.
It has two access doors (one on top and one on the side) which can be secured with clamps that your bunny cannot chew through. The bottom is deep and made of durable plastic which makes it easier to clean than wooden cages and hutches.
When your bunny is out for his daily playtime, dismantle the two pieces and run it down a hose to make it squeaky clean.
If you hate cleaning rabbit-mess around cages as much as I do, then you’ll love the deep set base that this rabbit cage has. What you put in the cage, stays in it. Your bunny is not kicking anything out of this one.
By the way, this is almost 29 inches in length and 17 inches in depth. So, if you have a couple of dwarfs at home? This will work perfectly for them. On the other hand, if you have ginormous lagomorphs for pets, then only one will be able to live comfortably in this cage.
Despite being labeled a cheap rabbit cage, the only thing that’s cheap about this one is the price tag. Quality wise, this rivals some of the much higher priced wire frame rabbit cages in the market.
Why I like it
- Easy assembly
- Two piece design
- Chew proof wire frame that can be secured with clamps
- Deep plastic base
- Roomy enough for feeders and litter boxes
#2 – Best Large Rabbit Cage – Living World Deluxe Habitat
Talking about enormous lagomorphs, two can easily fit into this large rabbit cage from Living World. This is the Deluxe Habitat cage that can be a comfortable living space for two rabbits or a luxurious one for your pampered bunny. It is approximately 39 inches in length and 23 inches deep.
This also has a similar design like the Home Sweet Home Pet cage from Ware Manufacturing. There’s a deep plastic base which has a ribbed interior and a wire frame upper design that attaches to the base with clamps.
There’s an elevated balcony with an access ramp that my bunnies rarely use. They go hoppity skip on to the ramp in a jiffy. Besides this, there’s a food dish that’s attached to the wire frame to prevent it from tipping over, a water bottle and a hay guard.
There are four access doors to the interior of the cage. You can choose to leave the side doors open for the bunnies to go out during playtime or secure them using plastic clips.
The Deluxe Habitat is one of the bestselling cages for small animals in the market for the past few years. It is constructed durably and has a very pocket friendly price tag.
It wouldn’t be uncommon to find a similar cage priced above $100 or $150 in retail outlets.
Why I like it
- Large and roomy rabbit cage priced under $60
- Chew proof and secure design
- Easy to assemble
- Airy and ventilated
- Bundle of features including a resting platform
- Multiple access doors
#3 – Best Outdoor Rabbit Cage – Merax Wooden Pet House
If you can keep an eye on your bunnies in the backyard all the time and there are no predators around, then you can easily keep them outside in an outdoor rabbit cage. This rabbit pet house from Merax is made from solid fir wood and has wonderful roomy interiors with a retro inspired finish.
The auburn color is reminiscent of the chicken coops of yore.
Two sides of the pet house have a wire frame which keeps the cage airy and bright. If your bunnies wish to catch a few winks, there’s a cozy resting area that is separated by a small partition and has an access ramp.
If you have an enormous bunny, then the ramp may be a tad small for them. You can easily remove it though.
The bottom is a pull out tray that can be removed for easy cleaning. There’s ample room in the interiors to install a litter box, a feeder and a water bottle.
This is made from treated wood and has a slanting roof which ensures that water does not leak into the cage. The roof can be lifted to access the interiors of the cage and there’s another access door on the side which can be secured with a lock.
The cage is supported by four legs which keep it wobble-free. Even on a windy day, this will not topple over.
Why I like it
- Large sized outdoor cage
- Made from solid fir wood
- Cozy resting area separated by a ramp
- Wire design
- Multiple access areas
- Pull out tray for easy cleaning
- Slanted roof that drains rain water
#4 – Best Wire Rabbit Cage – Wabbitat
There’s a reason why wire rabbit cages make excellent homes for bunnies. They are airy, they are chew proof, they let your bunny have a 360 degree view of the surroundings and let you interact with them easily.
If you are looking for a budget priced wire home for your rabbit, then you have to check out the Wabbitat.
The Wabbitat is advertised as the perfect habitat for bunnies and rightly so. This is a folding rabbit cage with a wire frame design that has a flawless design. I say flawless, because it ticks all the right boxes.
It is roomy, airy, has a deep base, has multiple access points, secured doors and a removable pan.
That’s just about everything that makes life easier for you and your bunny when they are locked away for the night.
There’s a little bit of assembly involved but it’s nothing that you cannot handle by yourself. You can put a litter box in the corner and the deep base prevents urine from spilling out into the room.
One of the best features of the wabbitat is that you can handle the door with one hand while you are trying to interact with your rabbit. The latches slide to the side and it is easy to open and close even if you have rabbit food in the other hand.
These are just some of the tiny design features which make the Wabbitat so effective.
Why I like it
- Collapsible wire frame design
- Airy and bright
- Lets you keep an eye on your pet at all times
- Chew proof wire
- Deep set base that prevents urine spills in the room
- Removable pan for easy cleaning
- Multiple access doors
- Latches that slide to the side allowing one hand operation
- ½ inch grid mesh floor for optimum support to the rabbit’s hocks
#5 – Best Multi Level Rabbit Cage / Stackable Rabbit Cage – Critter Nation Small Animal Cage
There’s only one thing better than having a rabbit at home. It’s having multiple rabbits at home. And this Critter National stackable rabbit cage is the perfect cage for a gang of rabbits.
This is a multi-level rabbit cage with two levels stacked one above the other. Each level is a complete rabbit habitat on its own and features an elevated shelf (height adjustable) with an access ramp that has a no slip surface.
There is ample room to store the essentials like food dispensers and litter boxes. You can even accessorize each cage to make it more fun for your pet. Each level also has a plastic pan bottom to prevent the urine or debris from spilling over into the bottom level or the room.
If you wish to let your rabbits enjoy climbing into the other level, then there’s a no-slip passage between the two levels.
Having reviewed and used multiple rabbit cages during the course of my life, I can safely say that this is one of the easiest cages to clean. Both the layers have a large double door that can be opened to access the cage and clean the cage.
When the rabbits are out, I just open it completely, remove all the contents and hose it down. It’s that simple.
The bottom of the cages has caster wheels. So you can easily move it out of the house for cleaning if need be.
Why I like it
- Multi level habitat for small pets
- Two full sized cages stacked one above the other which is a space saver
- Each level is spacious and can easily be accessorized
- Height adjustable shelves
- No-slip passage between the levels
- You can easily store the essentials as well as accessorize each cage
- Large double doors make it effortless to clean
- Caster wheel bottom that lets you move it to any part of the house
#6 – Best Extra Large Rabbit Cage – Living World Deluxe Habitat
Time and again, I hear from pet owners that they feel that even a large sized rabbit cage looks too cramped with two adult rabbits in it. Here’s one for them then. This is the Extra Large sized rabbit cage from Living World in their Deluxe Habitat series.
This is hands down, one of the most popular pet cages in the world. For starters, it is priced under $70. That is phenomenal considering that you can easily house two rabbits and it has a bunch of amazing features. The interior is approximately 45 inches long and 24 inches wide. Two of my adult rabbits easily sprawl in there.
The bottom of the cage is plastic and is so deep that nothing, not even crumbs will find its way out into the room. This makes it easy to clean too. There’s an optional grate for the bottom if your rabbit is not litter box trained. This way, the urine and droppings will find its way into the pan.
The Deluxe Habitat also features an extended shelf with an access ramp which can be removed if need be. The shelf is sturdy and does not give away under the weight of the rabbit. Checkers, my oldest is approximately 8 lbs and it’s held up just fine.
Other than this, there’s a water dispenser attached to the sides, a hay guard and a feeder.
Accessing the cage can be done via one of the four doors. I usually keep the side doors open allowing the bunnies to go in and out on their own accord all day and lock them up at night. There are two top openings too if you prefer to use them.
Why I like it
- Very sturdy and durable cage
- Priced under $70
- Large enough for two adult rabbits
- Deep plastic bottom that prevents the contents from spilling over into the room
- Chew proof wire frame upper
- Elevated shelf, access ramp, feeder, water bottle and hay guard
- Multiple access doors
#7 – Best Extra Large Rabbit Cage – Ferplast Krolik 140 Plus Rabbit Cage
And if 45 inches seems small too, then here’s a bigger sized cage for you that certainly qualifies as extra large. This is the Ferplast Krolik 140 Plus Rabbit cage that is approximately 56 inches in length and 24 inches wide.
Now that’s spacious.
It features a space-conserving patent pending design that provides maximum living space to your pets. The cage can be completely dismantled too for maintenance, cleaning or when not in use.
For rabbits, there’s a separate wooden house which works as a nesting house if you are using this for chickens. This extension can be removed if need be or used for separating a rogue rabbit from the rest.
The front door opens wide for cleaning and it has all the necessary add ons like the drinking bottle, hay feeder and an elevated balcony.
The mesh wire upper attaches to the bottom plastic base with clamps that are impossible for your pet to reach. Also, the food bowl on the elevated ledge has a separate groove that prevents it from getting dislodged and falling over.
The hay feeder attachment makes it immensely simple to feed timothy hay into the cage without ever opening it.
Why I like it
- Largest rabbit cage in the market
- Patent pending space conserving design
- Completely collapsible
- Detachable rabbit house/ nesting house
- Elevated patio with perfect position for the food bowl
- Tip proof water bottle
#8 – Best Small Rabbit Cage – Precision Pet Rabbit Resort Rabbit Cage
If you are constrained for space for your cage in the room or have just one fur ball for a pet, then a small rabbit cage will be a perfect choice for you. This Rabbit Resort from Precision Pet is one of the best options you have.
Although it is named Rabbit Resort, it is in essence, a barebones wire cage that is ideal for housing one rabbit.
It has a collapsible wire design that comes ready-to-use in the box. It pops up and installs in seconds.
The cage has dual doors on the top and on the front for easy access to the contents and the bottom is a closely knit wire mesh. A removable heavy duty pan makes it easy to clean. The front door can also be locked to keep your pet from escaping at unlikely hours.
At 25 inches in length and 26 inches in width, there is hardly room for a litter box if you have an adult sized rabbit. For a dwarf, you can install a litter box in the corner.
The wire frame is durable and has a black rust-resistant epoxy coated finish and is one of the sturdiest ones that I have seen in a long time. This cage could potentially last forever and can be passed down from one bunny generation to the next.
Why I like it
- Perfect small sized cage for an adult rabbit
- Epoxy coated wire frame finish
- Collapsible design
- Easy to clean with a removable pan
- Airy and bright
- Very durable and sturdy
#9 – Best Rabbit Cage With Pull Out Tray – Homey Pet-3 and 1 Tiers Chinchilla Hamster Rat Ferret Cage
You’ve got to hand it over to Homey Pet for their innovative design. If you thought that all rabbit cages in the market looked mundane, then wait till you see this.
This is a beautifully designed two-piece rabbit cage with a wire frame and a plastic base with caster wheels.
What’s more important is that the plastic base has an extended and raised edge called the urine guard. If you do not have a litter box trained rabbit, then this feature can be vital in keeping the premises clean.
All the urine and droppings make their way into a removable pull-out tray which keeps your pet clean and away from the waste.
The wire grill is coated with a non-toxic powder coating that keeps your pet healthy and safe and resists corrosion that can occur due to the pet’s urine or constant exposure to moisture.
Coming to the design, the cage is available in three beautiful color combinations. You can pick from a bright candy pink, bright aqua blue or a dark brown. Also, the same cage is also available in a three tier design which gives your pets two elevated layers to climb on to which are connected by ramps.
Also, at 26 inches by 18 inches, there’s enough room for your pet’s feeder and water bottles. With a little work around, you can even accessorize this if your rabbit loves to explore.
Why I like it
- Very pretty looking cage available in different colored bases
- Durable and chew proof wire
- Epoxy coating for corrosion resistance
- Deep plastic base
- Removable bottom pan for easy cleaning
- Can be folded and stored when not in use
- Urine guard keeps the urine and waste from spilling out
#10 – Best Rabbit Cage On Wheels – Kaytee My First Home Deluxe Rabbit 2-Level Cage with Caster Wheels
My last pick is for pet owners who like a portable housing solution for their bunnies. This can be the perfect rabbit cage for an RV or even for pet owners who travel with their pets. This is the Kaytee My first home deluxe Rabbit 2 level cage.
It is super spacious, has an elevated resting shelf that bunnies love complete with a perfectly designed access ramp that gives them traction as they climb on to the shelf. I even made some modifications and made two separate compartments in the cage to keep my two male bunnies separate because they had vicious fights. Thankfully, they have become buddy bunnies now.
Other attachments in the Deluxe Habitat include a water bottle and a hay buffet that lets you feed timothy hay with ease.
Like some of the other cages in this list, the First Home Deluxe Rabbit 2-level cage also has a deep bottom pan which prevents the contents of the cage from spilling out.
There are two access doors to the cage and if you prefer to let your rabbit move in and out whenever they wish to, then you’d appreciate the exit ramp on the cage that prevents the rabbit’s legs from getting stuck or tumbling.
At other times, the cage can be latched securely.
The lockable casters on the bottom of the cage let you move it around easily and also lock it in place when you’d want to.
Why I like it
- One of the most durable rabbit cages in the market
- Spacious cage with ample room for accessories
- Elevated resting space with a ramp
- Attached water bottle and hay buffet
- Multiple access doors
- Lockable caster wheels
Those, my fellow bunny lovers are the best of rabbit cages in the market. That list has saved you an enormous amount of time and effort that you’d otherwise spend browsing through the marketplace.
More importantly, it has saved you from a potential pitfall or an incorrect purchase. I cannot emphasize enough on the importance of not getting swayed by fancy advertising and aggressive marketing strategies, both of which are rampant in the world of pet products.
This blog post though, is far from complete. Even if you have narrowed down on one of those products, you’d still want to know why its best suited for your home, wont you?
Here’s a brief guide to selecting the right rabbit cage.
Things to Consider While Choosing The Best Rabbit Cage
While a rabbit cage need not be a tricky purchase, there are a few things that can be very important factors that will determine whether you end up with the right choice.
Here are some of them.
Indoor Cage vs. Outdoor Hutch
That’s the first and most important decision that you’ll need to make as a rabbit parent. Does your bunny stay indoors or you can keep them outdoors? As experienced as I am keeping rabbits as pets, that’s a decision that you must take for yourself. A rabbit staying outdoors in the yard may seem like a unanimous and safe decision. But the fact that everything from feral dogs to raccoons, owls, possums, hawks and coyotes can prey on them, makes it a perilous choice. During my lifetime, I have witnessed cage wires being broken by predators and even doors being opened by them. Rabbits can get a heart attack seeing a predator approach. Others try wildly to escape from the cage and end up breaking their spine.
For me, outdoor is not even an option. But if you have a relatively safe and protected home then you can consider an outdoor cage. I have included one of the best outdoor hutches in the list.
An indoor cage is safe, spacious and lets your rabbit lead a social and active lifestyle. Contrary to what some people believe, rabbits don’t stink or have an odor and cages are very easy to clean. You can check out more information on the House Rabbit Society website over here.
Size
The size of the rabbit cage that you choose depends on the number of pets you have and not the amount of space in the house. Of course, that does matter. But there are cages, like the stackable rabbit cage that have space saving designs and fit into a corner of the home.
Ideally, any cage that is less than 28 inches in length is too small for more than one adult rabbit. If you have two adult rabbits, you need a cage that is at least 45 inches in length.
A rabbit cage should provide the rabbit with a minimum amount of space to move around and rest comfortably. If you intend to store a litter box, then account for that too before you buy one.
Material
The most common and most recommended material for a rabbit cage is a metal wire with a plastic base. The design allows ample light and air into the cage and you can keep an eye on your pet at all times. If you choose one of the large sized rabbit cages, then you can easily accessorize it too. Wooden rabbit cages look stunning but can be a tad difficult to clean. If the wood is not treated, then there is a perpetual problem with moss and fungus, especially if the rabbit is not litter box trained.
Design
Most rabbit cages are identical in design unless you choose a multi level or tiered cage. So, there’s nothing much to pick from in this regard. Nevertheless, I have picked a few beautifully designed cages in that list. I am sure that design finicky pet parents will find something that will grab eyeballs.
Accessories
Some rabbit cages can be bare and only contain a living space for the rabbit making it mandatory for you to find the essential accessories like a feeder and a water bottle. On the other hand, some cages can contain everything that the rabbit needs including hay guards, water bottle and a feeding bowl. All-inclusive rabbit cages are perfect for first time rabbit parents. On the other hand, experienced rabbit parents would like to accessorize the cage themselves adding their signature touches to their baby’s habitat.
Here are some of the accessories in a rabbit cage that I consider as essentials.
- Toys: There’s nothing like some mental stimulation once the rabbit is back into the cage. And toys are the easiest way to make playtime interesting and rewarding. Chew toys are a favorite with rabbits. So are tunnels and platforms. Most cages will not include toys in the pack. But you are only limited by your creativity when it comes to rabbit toys. Even an untreated fruit with a hard exterior can double up as a toy.
- Water Bottles: A water bottle that auto dispenses water without leaking will prevent the need for frequently refilling and attending to your pet. There are many leak-proof water bottles available in the market. If your cage does not include one, you can easily pick one and rig it to the cage.
- Hay dispenses: Providing your rabbit with a daily supply of fresh hay is vital to their well being. And hay dispenses or hay racks let you stimulate your rabbit into biting as much hay as they need. These are available in all sorts of shapes and sizes. You can pick one that fits into your cage. The things to keep an eye on, are the size of the hay dispenser, sharp edges that may hurt your rabbit and in case of a wire hay rack, how closely the wires are knit. You don’t want an overanxious bunny trying to jump into the hay rack and hurt himself.
- Litter box: A litter box is an inexpensive addition to your rabbit cage that will make life easy for you and pleasant for your rabbit. Rabbits love to spend time in their litter boxes and you can make it safe and comfortable for your pet. Pick an organic litter box made of natural materials and line it with hay. That’s it. Care Fresh is one of the most popular brands of litter boxes for rabbits. Soft wood litter boxes made of cedar are a big no because rabbits will try to consume a part of the litter. And these are known to trigger liver damage in rabbits.
Portability
The portability of a rabbit cage can be determined in two ways.
- It can have caster wheels that let you move it around the house
- It can have a folding/collapsible design that lets you dismantle it and carry it
If you move or travel a lot with your pets in tow, then you need a portable rabbit cage. On the other hand, if your cage stays stationary, then even one with casters will work just fine.
These factors will allow you to make an informed purchase. But it’s equally important to know what to avoid while buying a rabbit cage.
What to Avoid When Purchasing a Rabbit Cage
A rabbit cage will be lot more than a temporary enclosure for your pet. It will be a safe haven that they rest in and like to retire to every now and then. So, you have to ensure that you consider that it will be a long term investment that needs to last for as long as your pet is alive.
Cheap translates to poor quality
On more occasions than not, cheap translates into poor quality. Avoid trying to pinch your pennies while buying rabbit enclosures. Even if you are strapped for cash, look for a cage that has good customer reviews. For example, the cheap rabbit cage in my list of best rabbit cages has 90% positive reviews. That’s more than ideal for a rabbit cage priced under $40. Cost cutting can happen in many ways. The wire can be too thin and easily bend, the resting platform or patio can give away under the weight of the rabbit or your rabbits feet can get trapped in the wire mesh bottom.
Sharp/jagged edges
When it comes to wired cages or even wooden ones, even the slightest uneven or sharp edge can be potential for an injury to your pet. So, once you get the cage delivered at home, unbox it and take a good look at all the parts on the internal side before you assemble it together. Even the slightest sharp edge, I repeat, even a tiny one must be considered as a risk.
Wire mesh bottom
Irrespective of how close the wires are, if the cage has a mesh bottom, add a layer of protective plastic or hay on it. Wire mesh bottoms have been responsible for many injuries in pet rabbits and you wouldn’t want to take chances with them.
Chemical treatments
Chemicals used to treat wooden rabbit cages can cause skin allergies and even breathing disorders in rabbits. Ensure that the cage does not use any toxic chemicals for the coating. This also applies to the epoxy coating used for corrosion resistance in wired cages.
Space
The last thing that you’d want to do is house two to three rabbits in a space that is meant to house just one rabbit. Not only does it make it cramped and make your pets anxious, it will also inhibit their natural instincts and make them prone to in-fights, infections and unruly behavior. Rabbits need space to move around the house as well as in their enclosures. If you have multiple pets, ensure that you can provide them with enough space to rest.
Shallow bottom
One of the biggest overlooked flaws in a rabbit cage is the depth of the base. A shallow base that is only an inch deep makes it possible to spill urine or food into the room that the cage is kept in. All of the cages that I have picked have deep plastic bases which work as urine guards. The wired ones have a removable plastic pan that allows easy cleaning.
The Rabbit Cage FAQ
If you have made it so far, chances are that I have answered most of the doubts that you had in your mind about buying a rabbit cage. But if you skipped through the article or just briefly glanced through it, then here’s a brief FAQ that answers most of the common questions that rabbit parents have when they are new to bunny land.
What is better for my rabbit, a wired cage or a wooden hutch?
That completely depends on the space that you need to house your bunnies, the space in the house or outside it and your personal preference. Some people like wooden rabbit hutches because it looks beautiful and can have really ornate designs. Others like the fact that wired cages are low on maintenance, sturdier and let them keep an eye on their pets at all times. I personally prefer wired cages with a plastic base. They are durable, airy and easy to clean.
How much space does my rabbit need in the cage?
Once again that depends on the breed of your pet bunny. Mini Lops usually don’t need a lot of space. But they are a dwarf breed. A chinchilla or a Californian on the other hand will need a lot more space. As a rule of thumb, I consider 28 inches in length and at least 16 inches in depth as a standard sized cage for an adult rabbit. Anything smaller may be too cramped. You can house two dwarfs in that cage, but not two adult large breeds.
Should I keep the doors locked or open?
Once the rabbit is done hopping around home, they like to retire to their cages and rest. This makes it an ideal time to keep the doors of the cage latched. Your rabbits will appreciate the rest and you can sleep easy knowing that they are comfortably locked in.
Conclusion And Final Thoughts
With a little bit of planning and research, you should be able to pick the best rabbit cage in the market for your bunny. Take your time and read through all the details that we have covered here. Also, check the top 10 best rabbit cages that I have listed. Go through their pros and cons.
I am sure that this will help you pick the right rabbit cage. If you need any further assistance, feel free to shoot me an email or just drop a line in the comments section.
The post Choosing The Best Rabbit Cage in 2017 appeared first on Rabbit Expert.
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