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Three Parts:Choosing a CageFilling it With AccessoriesSetting it Up in Your House

Before you bring your new rabbit home, set up a cozy home with plenty of room to stretch out, play, and huddle down for the night. Rabbit cages need to be big enough to hold food, water and a litter box - plus a few fun toys and treats. See Step 1 to learn how to set up a comfy, safe home for your rabbit.


Part 1 of 3: Choosing a Cage

  1. 1
    Pick out a big cage. The cage you pick out should be at least six times as long as your rabbit. If you're bringing home a baby, take into account that she will grow over the next few months, and choose a cage that can accommodate her adult size. The cage should be tall enough for your rabbit to stand fully upright on her hind legs, too. In general, the cage should not be smaller than 24" deep x 36" wide x 24" high. There's no harm in getting a cage bigger than you think you need to err on the safe side.
    • Many "rabbit cages" sold in pet stores are actually much too small. If the pet store doesn't have a good selection, check online or get creative and make your own.
  2. 2
    Choose a cage made of wire. A cage with wire sides and top give your rabbit plenty of airflow and it'll be quite easy to clean. Wire cages often make fine cages for rabbits, as long as they don't have wire bottoms - rabbits' tiny feet can get caught in those. Look for a tall, wide cage with a plastic or metal bottom.
    • Consider an open-top cage, like a puppy pen. This will give the rabbit more freedom to move around and will feel less confining.[1] Just make sure it's at least 35 inches (88.9 cm) high, so the rabbit can't jump out.
    • If you want to create an outdoor hutch for your rabbit, the specifications are different. See How to Build a Rabbit Hutch for more information.
  3. 3
    Make sure the bottom of the cage has a urine guard. The bottom of the cage - the tray - should have high, solid sides. This is because rabbits tend to spray when they urinate. If you have a cage with a tray that doesn't have high sides, the urine might spray outside the cage.
    • If you can't find a large cage with a high-sided bottom tray, you can manufacture your own urine guards by affixing pieces of plastic sheeting around the bottom of the cage. This works well as a urine guard for an open-style pen as well.
    • Do not cover the entire cage in plastic, though, because you want to make sure to maintain good airflow in the cage.
  4. 4
    Line the cage with either hay or rabbit-safe bedding. This will create a cozy, warm environment for your rabbit inside the cage. Do not line the cage with newspaper unless the newspaper is soy- or water-based. Also make sure not to use cedar chips and other types of bedding that produce dust or strong scents that can affect rabbits' lungs.
    • If you have an open-style pen, you can use carpeting or another soft material to serve as the flooring.

Part 2 of 3: Filling it With Accessories

  1. 1
    Pick out a rabbit litter box. Rabbits can get infections if they walk in their own waste, so purchasing a litter box and training your rabbit to use it is very important. A triangular litter box to place in the corner of the cage or pen is very convenient.[2] Your rabbit may not use the litter box right away, so be patient. Sooner or later, she will learn to go there every time.
    • Fill the litter box with a layer of newspaper, nontoxic litter, and a top layer of hay. Change out the hay daily, and change the rest of the litter box weekly.[3]
    • Do not use cat litter, especially clumping litter, as it can be fatal to rabbits.
  2. 2
    Provide food for your rabbit. Your rabbit should have an unlimited supply of fresh orchard grass hay, timothy hay, or oat hay. This can be placed in large bundles around the cage and litter box - be sure your rabbit never runs out! In addition, provide a few fresh vegetables every day in a small food bowl placed in one of the corners of the cage. Rabbits like all kind of green vegetables.[4]
    • Pet stores sell bags of rabbit feed pellets, but it's not healthy to feed these to your rabbit in great quantities. Only use pellets as a supplement to a diet of hay and vegetables.
    • Don't serve sugary fruits very often - it's more difficult for rabbits to digest fruit than vegetables.
    • Never give your rabbit bread, cookies, or any other type of simple carbohydrates. Avoid serving meat as well.
  3. 3
    Provide water for your rabbit. Pour some water into a small ceramic bowl placed in the corner of the cage, near the food. Rabbits can drink water from a bowl, but you should also provide a hanging water bottle to ensure your rabbit never runs out of water. Be sure to refill it with fresh water every day.
  4. 4
    Give your rabbit a wood chew. Rabbits like something to chew on, and chewing keeps their teeth trimmed down. The wood should not be treated with anything harmful; pick wood from untreated apple trees, for example, or purchase rabbit-safe wood toys from pet stores.
  5. 5
    Provide a comfy bed. A small towel in the corner of the cage makes rabbits comfy and can be played with. If you'd like, you may purchase a rabbit bed instead. Change the towel or rabbit bed frequently, and watch for frayed edges - these can be dangerous for rabbits.
  6. 6
    Put some fun toys in the cage. Toys provide enrichment and entertainment for rabbits. Some good toys to use include a small ball with a bell inside (similar to a cat toy), a toy carrot, a toilet paper tube, a small cardboard box with holes cut inside (for the bunny to come in and out of), or a plastic tunnel from a pet store.

Part 3 of 3: Setting it Up in Your House

  1. 1
    Set up the cage in a well-ventilated area. Choose a room that stays at a relatively consistent temperature and gets plenty of circulation. Don't use a dusty, stuffy room, like the attic or basement. Do not set up the cage in the garage or another space that could get very hot or cold. Choose a space that gets some natural light, too.
    • A big laundry room, spare bedroom or another side room would be a good choice.
  2. 2
    Make sure the rabbit will be safe from predators. Other household pets, like cats and dogs, can pose a threat to rabbits. Rabbits get scared easily, so pick a spot that's not frequently used by your other pets.
    • When your rabbit plays outside, it's very important to keep an eye on her to make sure she's safe from pets and wild animals.
  3. 3
    Choose a room where your rabbit can roam around. Rabbits should not stay confined in their cages all the time. You'll need to let your rabbit out to get some exercise. It's easiest to put the cage in a room where you won't mind having your rabbit hop around and explore.
    • Make sure the room is free of wires, sharp edges, small toys and other objects that could harm your rabbit.

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  • Don't get a plastic food bowl because your rabbit will tip it over.
  • Most bunnies can be trained to be "house bunnies" and enjoy the freedom that is given to them.
  • Another good toy is a cardboard box filled with shredded paper and dry hay. Your bunny would love to dig through that.
  • If you are going to get a rabbit bed, a hay mat wouldn't last too long because your rabbit would probably eat the hay.
  • Buy a cage cleaner/spray for cleaning the cage.


  • When choosing toys, make sure they are rabbit-safe.
  • Litter boxes are highly recommended. Your rabbit will get infections if he/she walks in its waste.
  • Wood chews should be rabbit-safe.

Article Info

Categories: Housing Rabbits

In other languages:

Italiano: Preparare la Gabbietta per un Coniglio, Español: armar una jaula para conejos, Português: Preparar uma Gaiola de Coelho, Français: préparer une cage pour un lapin, Deutsch: Einen Hasenkäfig einrichten, 中文: 做兔笼, Русский: обустроить клетку для кролика, Bahasa Indonesia: Mempersiapkan Kandang untuk Kelinci

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