Getting a rabbit might seem like a simple enough process. You just go to a pet store, buy the animal, and the rest pretty much takes care of itself, right? In reality, things are a lot more complicated.
As with any living creature, rabbits need to be properly looked after, and it takes a bit of effort to get that care just right. Central to caring for your rabbits is choosing the right kind of hutch: there’s a lot to keep in mind, and it’s important that you get it just right.
If you’re struggling with your search, then here are three of the most important things to keep in mind throughout that process.
Rabbits need space
An important priority when it comes to choosing a rabbit hut is ensuring they have enough space to live in. After all, the hutch isn’t just a bedroom or a cage – rabbits need a certain amount of room to achieve more than mere survival, and it’s crucial that you take this seriously.
Of course, the more rabbits you have, the more space they’ll need. This will also depend to a certain extent on the personal preferences of the rabbits in question, the relationship that they share, their age, and how active they tend to be.
It’s possible that you’ll need to get a bigger hutch later on, if the one that you buy initially doesn’t quite suit their living needs.
Hutches need to be safe
Your rabbit’s safety will greatly depend on the hutch that you get it, and you need to take this aspect seriously. If it’s a hutch that’s kept outside, then you need to be absolutely certain that it will keep predators like foxes and cats out, or you could face a disaster.
Likewise, you need to make sure that the inside of the hutch is safe, and that your rabbit won’t be able to hurt themself. This means no sharp edges or loops that your rabbit could get stuck in, or loose pieces that could fall apart.
Don’t just buy any old construction from some random website. Use reputable suppliers like Scratch and Newton that are run by people who actually care about animals, and stock hutches that are safe.
It needs to be a proper living environment
Lastly, a hutch isn’t just something to contain rabbits in and keep predators out. It needs to provide a complete living environment, with everything from fun activities and food to a comfortable sleeping arrangement.
You need to make sure that the space you make isn’t just nice for a few weeks, and then becomes disgusting. It needs to be easy to clean, and you’ll want to make sure that you do so on a regular basis.
Using soft materials like straw for bedding can make this a lot easier. You can simply replace the straw regularly, greatly simplifying the process of keeping the hutch in a nice, clean living condition.
Getting a good hutch for your rabbits will be a one-off investment, and getting it right the first time will make your life a lot easier in the months and years to come.
