Everybody knows that a rabbit’s nutritional requirements are quite different in the first year of their life. Most bunny parents know the ‘more alfalfa’ rule too. What they do not know is that this extends to the dry food as well, especially since any time below the age of 1 year is the perfect time to introduce your bunnies to dry food. If you are wondering what dry food would be the right fit for your young rabbit’s nutritional profile and keep their taste buds interested at the same time, then here’s the Bunny Basics Young Rabbit pet food from Oxbow. This is from their Bunny Basics range of food and is specially designed for rabbits below the age of 1. It is an excellent supplement to the fresh hay and leafy greens that your bunny may already be eating. And if you are guilty of not supplying enough leafy veggies, then this food becomes a necessity at that delicate age for your pet. Energy Dense Rabbit FoodYour little bunny is a bundle of unabridged raw energy and to keep up with the added effort, they need a dry food that is equally nutrient dense. The Young rabbit food from Oxbow is packed with protein, dietary fiber and amino acids which are vital for their growth. For this reason, the food is also perfect for any adult rabbit or geriatric bunny that is struggling with health complications and has lost a lot of weight in recent times. The pellets are softer and have a fresh aroma that is identical to what you’d get when you open a pack of fresh alfalfa hay. But it’s not all taste. It’s about the nutritional content too, isn’t it? Here are the main ingredients in the Oxbow Young Bunny dry food.
While Alfalfa delivers the much needed dietary fiber and protein, soy ensures that the healthy fats are delivered as well. Last but not the least; wheat gives your bunnies the energy they need from a clean carbohydrate source. The vitamin blend is equally good by the way. There’s a whole blend of B Vitamins along with D3, A, Calcium, folic acid, choline and riboflavin. Overall, it is the most perfect blend of nutrition that a young rabbit needs. By the way, almost forgot to mention that many vets also recommend the Oxbow Young Bunny dry food for rabbits that are nursing. Do Young Bunnies Like These Pellets?Oh you bet! I have personally fed these to all six of my bunnies when they were transitioning from babies to adults and developing personalities of their own. While all of them ate it, some just gorged on it. This can also be ascertained by the excellent customer reviews that this dry food has. Don’t be surprised if you find comments that state that bunnies beg for it or bunnies have lived for 15 years eating just this. There’s a hint of exaggeration in those statements but it pretty much sums up the excellent quality and the ease of feeding these to your bunnies. What is The Right Dosage For my Rabbit?While the manufacturer recommends that you give your bunnies unlimited pellets along with unlimited access to fresh hay of their choice, you can introduce these pellets in limited doses. In an ideal scenario, dry food should only account for about 5% of their total diet and that’s what you’d want to stick to, provided all the other nutritional requirements are met. On the other hand, if you are gradually transitioning the bunny’s diet, then you’d want to mix it up with the current food that your rabbit is eating. A recommended ratio is 3:1, with 3 part old food and 1 part new one. This can then gradually be increased until your bunny eats the new food without any problems. This also enables you to keep track if your pet develops any digestive problems due to the new food. (Even though that is unheard of) Why I Like This Product
VerdictGive your bunnies the nutrition they deserve without compromising on the taste or the ingredients. The Oxbow Bunny Basics Young rabbit food is hands down, the best rabbit food for bunnies below the age of 1. The post Oxbow Young Rabbit Food: Comprehensive Review (2017 Updated) appeared first on Rabbit Expert. via Blogger Oxbow Young Rabbit Food: Comprehensive Review (2017 Updated)
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Dry food for rabbits serves two purposes. It plugs in the gaps in the nutritional profile of their diet and secondly, it caters to the rabbit’s taste buds. Some people say that rabbits are not finicky eaters at all. You can give them chow and it doesn’t matter what it is. The bunny will gorge on it like a whale. But that’s as far from the truth as it can get. Rabbits are picky as hell about what they eat. If your rabbit is about to reach adulthood, then the Oxbow Adult Rabbit Food will be an excellent rabbit food choice. These soft, chewy pellets made from the choicest and most nutritious ingredients are a favorite among bunnies of all sizes. Ever since it was first launched in the market, its popularity has only increased and it has garnered tons of positive customer reviews all over. The Complete Nutritional FoodThe dry food for adult rabbits is from their Bunny Basics Essentials range which comprises of food pellets for rabbits of all ages. The composition (formula) changes depending on the age of the bunny. The adult food is a healthy mix of fresh ingredients that contain dietary fiber, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. Along with ensuring that the rabbit gets enough energy to hoppity skip around home, it also ensures that the coat looks nourished and healthy. The main ingredient in the food is timothy grass and this gives the pellets a very lush green color. In fact, you can almost smell the fresh grass when you open a pack of the food. Timothy grass being rich in dietary fiber, allows your rabbit to stay full for a longer period of time and prevents binge eating. Not to mention that it is very useful for a healthy digestive system and keeps the bunny’s teeth from growing wild and untamed. Along with timothy hay, the Oxbow Bunny Basics Essential rabbit food also contains a healthy calcium to phosphorus ratio which is crucial for your bunny’s health. Have you ever noticed sludge or white crystals in your rabbit’s urine? The dry food that your bunny eats may be to blame. Absorbing more calcium than they need is a common problem in rabbits and only a dry food with the precise calcium to phosphorus ratio can prevent this problem from occurring. The other notable ingredients in the Oxbow Bunny basics includes Vitamin A, E, C, K, D3 along with Niacin, Riboflavin, B12, Folic acid and other essential nutrients. Do Rabbits Like The Pellets?Absolutely! This is a vet recommended rabbit food that is perfect for rabbits that refuse to eat other brands of dry food. These pellets are smaller sized and softer too which makes them easier to chew. Since Oxbow pellets it straight from the farm, the pellets are noticeably fresher as compared to any other brand. This is another reason why rabbits love these pellets. It tastes almost like an enhanced version of their favorite hay. To top it off, it does not contain any added coloring, flavors or preservatives which can cause problems for your bunny’s health in the long run. Is it an Expensive or Cheap Rabbit Food?The 25 lbs bag only costs $32.12 and if you only have one adult bunny that eats ¼ cup each day, a single bag should easily last a year. That’s unbelievable value for money. And if you are concerned that the food will go stale once the package is opened, you’d be happy to know that it comes in a large resealable bag that keeps the food fresh even after months of opening the bag. Can I Give my Rabbit Only The Oxbow Bunny Essentials Dry Food?No, you can’t. An adult rabbit needs a mix of fresh vegetables, leafy greens and the occasional fruit along with the dry food. To know more about this, please read our article about the ideal diet for your rabbits. Why I Like This Rabbit Food
VerdictIrrespective of whether you are shopping for the first dry food for your adult rabbit or looking to replace the dry food for your finicky pet, the Bunny essentials dry food from Oxbow is one of the best options you have. The post Oxbow Adult Rabbit Food: In-Depth Review (2017 Edition) appeared first on Rabbit Expert. via Blogger Oxbow Adult Rabbit Food: In-Depth Review (2017 Edition) Someone wise once said that, ‘A rabbit is only as good as the food they eat’ Ok. That someone was me. And that stemmed from the fact that choosing the best rabbit food for your bunnies is made out to be this immensely challenging, scientific load of bull that it is not. Rabbit nutrition is simple. It is true that they eat a lot. But that is what precisely spreads out their daily nutritional requirement over a variety of food items that is tailored for them. In this blog post today, I will be addressing everything related to food for your bunnies. Consider it like the Rabbit nutrition 101 guide that you always wanted. We will discuss everything from hay, natural grazing, vegetables and the occasional treats that will keep your bunny healthy, happy and fit. By the end of this, you will be armed with enough information to pick the best rabbit food for your bunnies irrespective of the breed or the size. So sit back and resist your urge to chew on the furniture while you read this. Quick Comparison: Top Rabbit Foods in 2017
* click on the product name to be taken to Amazon where you can check the current price and read customer reviews. Below you’ll find in-depth reviews of each of the above products. Understanding Your Rabbit’s DietBefore we get going, let me clear one thing right off the bat. Rabbits were originally wild animals that were later domesticated for keeping them as pets in homes. Hence, many experts refer to pet bunnies as ‘house rabbits’. If you are wondering why I mentioned this in the first place is that from a digestive and nutritive point of view, there is very little difference between a wild rabbit and a house pet. They have identical digestive systems but there’s a huge difference in the type of food they eat which has been brought about by man’s addiction to dry packaged foods. Don’t get me wrong here. Your rabbit will still need their pebbles. But many rabbit parents are guilty of overfeeding them with pebbles. Like wild rabbits, which graze for hours on naturally available fresh grass, herbs, tree barks, dry grass, leaves, fruits, shrubs, herbs and sprouts, your first attempt must be to supplement your rabbit’s diet with a supply of natural grass. The Natural Ingredients in Your Rabbit’s DietIn ideal circumstances, your pet rabbit will have a healthy mix of grass, hay, herbs, vegetables, fruits and dry food which not only fill in their daily nutritive requirement but also cater to their taste buds by giving them a plethora of textures and flavors which wont keep them bored. There are other advantages too which we will talk about in a bit. But firstly, here’s a percentage graph of what your rabbit’s diet should look like.
Now let’s go through each one of those in detail. Grass or HayIt is given that if you live in a city, getting access to meadows of fresh grass is next to impossible. The next best option that you have is to feed your rabbit with grass hay. Grass hay or just hay is nothing but dried grass that retains a lot of its nutritional content making it an excellent choice for rabbits that do not have access to fresh grass. It contains Vitamins A, D, Calcium, trace amounts of protein and a bunch of other nutrients. Most rabbit parents don’t think twice before feeding their pets with a particular type of hay, which may be the most easily available option. However, different varieties of hay have different nutritional content. Some of this, when consumed in excess, can even be fatal for your pet. Hence, it is always healthier to mix different types of hay depending on the age and weight of your pet. Adult rabbits need less of calories and protein as compared to babies. So, babies should be fed more of alfalfa grass which is high in both the ingredients. For adults, a mix of orchard, timothy (both of which are fiber rich), oat, dried grass, meadow and Bermuda grass will be a good choice. A small percentile breakdown of the nutrient profile of each type of hay: Orchard grass: 32% Fiber, 10 % Protein, 0.33% Calcium Timothy: 34% Fiber, 11% Protein, 0.5% Calcium Alfalfa: 34% Fiber, 19% Protein, 1.5% Calcium You can also pick one or two of the above and mix them for your pet. As healthy as hay can be, loss of some of the nutrients, including vitamins and minerals is unavoidable due to the drying process. This is where fresh herbs and vegetables come into the picture. Veggies and herbsFresh foods, vegetables and herbs in particular, can give the rabbit the moisture that is lacking in dry hay. Not only will it cater to your bunny’s taste buds, it will also improve their kidney and bladder function. Now, there’s a lot of debate as to what the fresh part of your rabbit’s diet must contain. Having lived with bunnies for over a decade, I have learnt from experience that at least 75% of the fresh food that you give your bunnies must come from leafy green veggies. That might sound blasphemous to a lot of people who will start to cringe about oxalic acid and the potential damage that it can do to your rabbit’s kidney function over a prolonged time frame. For those who are unaware, Oxalic acid which is also called ‘Oxalate’ is naturally occurring ingredient in many foods, which has become a buzzword in health circles for humans as well as their furry counterparts. But the fact is that it is far from the bête noir that it is made out to be. In limited quantities, it is harmless for bunnies. When it comes to rabbits, there are ample choices of leafy greens that do not contain oxalates. To that end, I have a small table to share with you. Here’s a bunch of low oxalate leafy greens and other veggies that you can feed your bunny.
Here are a few leafy greens which have higher oxalate content. But there’s no reason for you to skip these completely from your rabbit’s diet. Instead, you can balance them out by feeding these in limited quantities because of the other nutrients that your rabbit can get from it.
The idea should always be to mix up the source of fresh greens and veggies giving your rabbits access to varied taste, textures and flavors while ensuring that the nutritional requirements are not left out. You can mix at least 2 -3 types of leafy greens and spread them out over the day. I regularly include spinach in my pets’ diet but ensure that I don’t overdo it for the risk of the side effects of oxalates. Oxalates when fed in excess can cause a tingling sensation around the skin and the mouth of your pet. In extreme cases, it can cause severe kidney damage. The only thing that I would keep an eye on while feeding the rabbit fresh veggies is to reduce the quantity of starchy and sugary veggies like broccoli because of possible gastrointestinal disturbances. FruitsThe USDA recommends that you eat at least 5-7 servings of fruit every day. But that’s not intended for your bunnies. There’s a misconception that fruits which are touted to be loaded with antioxidants will do your bunnies a lot of good. The fact is that most fruits are loaded with natural sugars and starches which make for excellent treats but should not be a regular part of your rabbits diet. Given a chance, your rabbit will gorge on all the fruit that they can get their hands on. That’s their natural instincts kicking in because in the wild, fruits are seasonal and in limited supply. Given the competition for food in nature, rabbits are inclined to eat as many fruits as they can at a time because it remains unsure if and when they will get their next meal. However, excessive amounts of fruit will lead to an obese pet that most likely has gastrointestinal problems. Not the best of scenarios for a house rabbit. It is recommended that you limit the fruit serving to less than half a tablespoon per lb of your pet’s bodyweight. Like other ingredients, this should be spread out over the day. I usually introduce fruits to my rabbit’s diet after they have been fed hay for at least four weeks. This gives their digestive systems enough time to get used to the new foods and reduces the risk of any possible complications. You can introduce fruit in small limited doses and monitor the stool to see how your pet is faring. Soft stools may indicate that the rabbit’s digestive system is not agreeing with a particular food. You may want to strike that one off the shopping list. If you are giving fruits as special treats, your rabbits will look forward to it and it is also a great way to motivate them to get some much needed exercise. There’s nothing worse than a bunny that refuses to budge after sprawling out in a cage. Dry foodFinally, we come to, what comprises of a large part of most house rabbits diets, dry food. Dry food was originally designed for caged rabbits that were bred for meat. For this reason, it is a very concentrated form of nutrition that packs in more nutrients than what your rabbit would need on a daily basis. But that’s not necessarily everything that your rabbit needs. Most dry food lacks an adequate quantity of fiber that your pet needs for properly regulated bowel movement. If you try to increase the quantity of food to make do for the lack of fiber, it will lead to an overdose of most of the nutrients that your pet needs which will lead to severe health complications. Now that we know about the disadvantages, let’s also talk about the perks of mixing this into a rabbit’s diet. You may or may not have access to a mix of grass hays and all the veggies and herbs listed here for various reasons. If that is the case, then even a small dose of the best rabbit food can supplement for the nutritional deficiencies. Also, any rabbit’s diet that only consists of fresh foods clearly lacks many trace nutrients, vitamins and minerals that can be supplemented by using a good quality commercial dry food. There are two main types of dry rabbit foods available in the market.
The next most important question that rabbit parents have is how much to feed their bunnies at different stages of their body growth. And it is a very critical part of the rabbit’s diet and well being. How much is adequate? How much is too much or too little? How Much Food Does my Rabbit Need?Rabbits are natural foragers and in an enclosed environment like an urban home, it is very easy to overfeed them. So, I always divide the food that a rabbit needs everyday into different groups to make it easier for rabbit parents to understand the dietary needs of their pets.
How much food do baby rabbits and teenage rabbits need?The first 12 weeks are the most important phase of a baby rabbit’s life where you need to establish the fundamentals of healthy eating and ensure that the nutritional requirements of their rapidly developing bodies are fulfilled. Here’s what you should feed your pets for the first 12 weeks of their life.
How much food does a young adult rabbit need?Once a rabbit’s core dietary habits are established in the first few months, their digestive flora is primed and more readily accepts newer and more complex food sources. This is a great time to reduce their dependency on dry food and introduce newer fresh food sources. If you haven’t introduced a blend of hay yet, then it’s time to bring in timothy hay, oat hay and some of the others that I have mentioned earlier. It is also time to reduce the alfalfa content in their food, if you are still feeding them. Pellets can be reduced to as less as 10-12 grams per 6 lbs of body weight. You can experiment with different veggies to see what your pet can tolerate without it causing digestive problems. This is also a great time to introduce the occasional fruit treat. Just a reminder, your best choices are apples and carrots. How much food does a mature adult rabbit need?The diet for a mature adult rabbit and a young adult is mostly identical. The only notable difference is that now you can experiment more with fresh veggies and give them unlimited access to their hay. There should always be a bundle of hay in their crate or cage. Veggies can be increased to as much as 2 cups a day and pellets can be increased or decreased depending on the other parts of the diet. What is the ideal diet for senior rabbits?The diet for a mature adult rabbit depends completely on their weight and overall health. If the rabbit is healthy and does not have any health problems, then a diet similar to that of the adult rabbit can be continued. However, if the rabbit has geriatric problems, like excessive calcium in the blood or is underweight, then they may need more pellets or alfalfa. What Are The Best Rabbit Food Brands?There are tons of rabbit food brands to pick from and the term ‘best rabbit foods brand’ may well be subjective. For example, if I have an adult rabbit, I’d look for the brand that offers the best pellets that are derived from timothy hay and do not have an excessive amount of sugar or starch. But if I have a senior rabbit that is above the age of 6, I’d want to consider one which contains a little of alfalfa. However, if you are new to rabbit foods and want to know about some of the popular brands, then here are some of them.
If this is the first time you are venturing to shop for nibbles for your rabbit, then here’s some help for you. Here’s a list of the top rabbit foods in the market. To make it easier for you to pick, I have categorized these according to the age of the pet. My Picks of The Best Rabbit Foods For Adult Rabbits#1 – Oxbow Animal Health Bunny Basics EssentialsOne of the most popular brands of rabbit foods, Oxbow’s essential range boasts of the most complete nutritional profile among dried foods. It contains a blend of natural and synthetic ingredients that encompasses of vitamins, minerals, protein, healthy fats and calcium that an adult rabbit needs every day. The main ingredients in the formula are timothy hay for fiber, soy for protein and fats and wheat for carbohydrates. The vitamin blend is comprehensive and includes Vitamins A, D, E and a bunch of B vitamins which are vital for the rabbit’s fur, skin, nails and eyes. Many vets recommend switching over to the Oxbow essential range of rabbit foods, especially if rabbits are facing problems like poor fur quality or gastric stasis. The pellets are soft and easily chewable for rabbits of all ages. What I like about it
#2 – Small Pet Select Rabbit Food PelletsDespite being a new and niche brand that caters to a specific target audience (read fresh bunny food lovers), the small pet select rabbit food has become quite popular in a very small time. One of the reasons is because their rabbit food isn’t mass produced. Instead, small batches of the food are produced (less than 500 packets a month) and sold exclusively on Amazon. This assures you about batch freshness and also about the attention to quality which may be lacking in mass produced foods. The pellets itself are quite soft and rabbits take an instant liking to it. The primary ingredient is timothy hay which makes it an excellent source of indigestible fiber. Other than this, it also contains soy ingredients for fat and a health blend of vitamins. Some of the notable ones are Vitamin A, D, E, B vitamins, calcium, phosphorus and proteins. The product is made in the USA by a small family based business with 4 employees and comes with a 100% money back guarantee if you are not satisfied with the quality. What I like about it
#3 – Kaytee Supreme food for RabbitGo to any pet store and ask for a good quality rabbit food and the first one that you’d come across will be Kaytee Supreme food for rabbits. This is hands down, among the most widely used rabbit foods in the world. And for good reason too. The pellets are soft, fresh and most rabbits would instant devour it without any hesitation. If you have been using other store brands, you will notice a marked difference in the color of your bunny’s ‘poo’. That’s an indicator of the fresher ingredients that Kaytee uses. The food is sourced from a blend of grains and seeds according to Kaytee’s official website. However, the supreme food formula does contain oat hay as the primary ingredient along with traces of alfalfa. So, if alfalfa is restricted for your pet, then you may have to look at some of the other options in this list. It has a healthy vitamin blend along with Rosemary, Vitamins A, E, B12, Niacin, Folic acid among others. What I like about it
#4 – Sherwood Adult Rabbit Food – Timothy blendA lot of rabbit parents don’t want to feed their pets foods derived from soy or grain sources. If you are one of them, then you’ll love my next pick in this list of best rabbit foods. This is the Sherwood Adult rabbit food that is sourced from Western Timothy Hay and is completely free of Soy and food grains. For rabbits that are allergic to soy or grains, this is easier on their digestive systems and contains a healthy blend of nutrients that keep their coat shiny. The pellets have a fresh timothy hay aroma to it and it is not from artificial coloring or flavors because the food contains none. It is testimony to the quality that Sherwood Forest takes pride in. If your bunny takes a liking to this, you can also buy this in bulk from the manufacturer to save some Benjamin. Also, there are two varieties of the food available from Sherwood. One is the professional pellets which are ideal if your rabbit’s diet comprises of more than 50% timothy hay and the other is the complete pellet which is ideal for pets who consume less than 50%. What I like about it
#5 – Manna Pro Small World Rabbit FeedThe no-corn formula from Manna Pro is perfect for adult rabbits that have digestive enteritis caused due to high energy grains in their food. The endosperm in corn is one of the leading causes of a carb overload in the hindgut of some bunnies. The Small world range from Manna Pro is a nutritional pellet that contains high fiber content along with a healthy mix of vitamins and minerals. The primary ingredients are wheat mill run, alfalfa meal, soybean hulls, rice bran, soybean meal and dried grains. The pellets are firm and easily chewable by bunnies of all ages. I have spoken to countless rabbit parents who use Manna Pro Small World as the primary dried food for their bunnies. Others also keep it as a secondary option in case they run out of supply of their chosen dry food brand. What I like about it
My Picks of The Best Rabbit Foods For Young RabbitsIf you have a growing bunny below the age of 7 months to a year, you can take a pick of one of these two rabbit foods. Both of these are good quality formulas that have a healthy nutritional profile. #1 – Oxbow Animal Health Bunny Basics Young Rabbit FormulaMy #1 pick for growing bunnies is this Young Rabbit Formula from Oxbow. This is the perfect age for you to give your bunnies unlimited access to pellets and this formula from Oxbow with its Alfalfa content ticks all the right boxes. It gives them enough protein and enough calories to help sustain the nutritional requirements of their bodies. In addition to the alfalfa, it also contains a healthy blend of fats, carbohydrates, amino acids, minerals and vitamins. The formula is gentle enough to be easily digested by young bunnies. This also allows you to use this for geriatric rabbits that have lost a lot of weight lately as well as pregnant bunnies. The pellets are soft, have a fresh aroma and are much loved by bunnies who are usually finicky towards certain brands. What I like about it
#2 – Kaytee Forti-Diet Pro Health Food for Juvenile RabbitsKaytee’s forti-diet pro formula is specially designed for growing bunnies and contains a bunch of beneficial ingredients that provide the necessary support to their developing bodies. Along with alfalfa, which caters to the high calorie and protein requirements, the food also contains ground oats, ground wheat, oat hulls and flax seed which provide much needed dietary fiber and make this formula rich in Omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty acids. This helps the bunnies in developing a rich and lustrous coat. I have donated a lot of bags of this food to a foster home that houses abandoned and orphaned rabbits and it has really helped a lot of the bunnies survive without nursing from their mothers. That alone stands testimony to the quality of the pellets. The best part is that it is a budget priced option and it also helps to establish your bunnies’ taste buds towards timothy hay based pellets. What I like about it
The Best Rabbit Food – Hay For Your RabbitsA list of the best rabbit foods would be incomplete without recommending some of the best brands of hay for your pet. Once again, to keep it diverse, I have included a variety of types of hay. You can pick the one that best works for your pet. #1 – Small Pet Select 2nd Cutting Timothy HayA lot of pet parents don’t think twice before ordering timothy hay without realizing that there’s a marked difference in quality in many brands of hay available online. This one from Small Pet Select is of the freshest ones in the market. It is the second cutting, which is softer than the first cutting but not extremely soft. It contains long and delicious strands of hay with very little powdery or dusty residue which is an indicator of an old or stale batch. Also, it does not contain any bugs or mites which are commonly found in cheaper timothy hay brands. No seed heads either which makes it easier for the bunny to chew and digest. If your bunny has been refusing to eat Timothy hay that you batch purchased off the supermarket shelf, then you’d want to try switching to this one. Excellent quality and great pricing too! What I like about it
#2 – Kaytee All Natural Timothy Wafer-Cut HayKaytee’s Timothy Hay has a slight edge in terms of pricing. If you compare it per ounce, this is cheaper than any other variety of hay. Also, it comes in wafer cut stacks which make it easier to feed to your bunnies and there’s less chance of wastage. The quality of the hay is pretty good at the price point. It is not as good as the one from Small Select but once again, it all boils down to what you are willing to spend. You will find a bit of dust and some brown hay strands in this. But I wouldn’t consider it to be a deal breaker at this price. This is a perfect low protein, high fiber hay for bunnies, guinea pigs and other small animals. What I like about it
#3 – Standlee Premium Western Forage Timothy GrassIf you want nothing but the best for your bunny, then check out the Standless Premium Western Forage Timothy Hay. This is grown in the sun kissed volcanic plains of Southern Idaho which boasts of some of the most nutrient dense soil in the world. The lower humidity in the air clubbed with the friendly irrigation practices make this one of the best forages for your bunnies. The hay is the second cutting and is long, nutritious and easy to chew. There is zero wastage, brown dust or residue in the box. You get fresh and aromatic timothy hay in every batch. The only caveat is that if your bunnies get used to the taste of the Standlee Premium Western Forage Timothy, they will refuse to touch any other product of questionable quality. What I like about it
An optimum diet that is the right mix of fresh ingredients and the best rabbit food (dry) will enable your bunny to lead a healthy, happy and disease free life. If you need any further assistance or wish to add anything to this, then feel free to reach out to us via the contact us form or via the comments section.
The post Choosing The Best Rabbit Food in 2017 appeared first on Rabbit Expert. via Blogger Choosing The Best Rabbit Food in 2017 Housing a bunch of bunnies is fun. But it comes with the added responsibility of giving them ample space to move about. If you live in a small sized home or a micro apartment where every inch of real estate is a priced commodity, then you’d love the utilitarian design of the stackable rabbit cages. These are also called multi level rabbit cages and have rabbit living spaces that are stacked one above the other. Each layer functions as an independent rabbit cage and these are interconnected with ramps allowing the rabbit to hoppity skip from one level to the other. However, like all things rabbit related, buying the best stackable rabbit cages is nothing short of tricky. They come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Some of them may look like the Beverly Hills of rabbit housing but are riddled with pitfalls that can hurt and even cause grave injuries to your pet. Having lived with two French lops and a group of other bunnies, I have had the privilege to check some of these multi level rabbit cages first hand. We also have a rabbit parent community where we meet once in a while bunnies in tow and talk about rabbity things while nibbling on carrots. Based on the chatter and my own experiences and research, here are the best stackable rabbit cages in the market currently.
The Best Stackable Rabbit Cages / Best Multi Level Rabbit Cages on The MarketTo make your life easier I’ve prepared a list of the best stackable rabbit cages / best multi level rabbit cages available: #1 – Critter Nation / Small Animal Cage with StandThe first time I saw the Critter nation animal cage with stand, it was housing three chinchillas and almost immediately, I could see the perfect living space for my dwarfs. This is a two storied stacked animal cage and each level is spacious. The dimensions are 36 inches in length and 24 inches in width. It makes for a luxurious living space for up to two adult sized rabbits and up to three dwarfs. The cage is made of wire mesh that has a ½ inch spacing which prevents the rabbits from making chew attempts. For critters and chinchillas, this serves as the perfect climbing walls that lets them cater to their natural instincts. Each level also has height adjustable shelves that serve as extended balconies. My bunnies love to hop on to it to rest after having their feed. The floor is covered by a wide expanse removable pan that makes it easy to clean the cage if your rabbit is not litter trained. Two wide opening doors give you easy access to the interiors of the cage. These are fitted with double locking latches that can be opened easily with one hand to remove your pet. The levels are interconnected by ramps with a happy feet covering on them. This is nothing but a no-slip surface that gives them traction during their climbs and descends. It prevents the pet from slipping and accidentally falling during their passage. Another lesser known feature of the Critter National Small animal cage is that it is very easy to accessorize this. You can add toys, hammocks and a bunch of other accessories to customize the cage for your pet. Last but not the least; the cage is fitted with caster wheels that can be easily maneuvered and locked if need be. Irrespective of whether you are housing rabbits or chinchillas or rats, the Critter Nation Small Animal cage is just perfect. It is huge, spacious, easy to clean and has a space-saving design. At the price, it saves you the hassles of buying multiple cages. #2 – New 37″ Homey Pet Open Top Heavy Duty Dog Pet Cage Kennel w/ Tray, Floor Grid, and CastersFirstly, this is not a rabbit cage. It is a dog kennel that is used for dogs up to 70 lbs. That may make it seem like overkill for rabbits. But that’s certainly not the case if you house French lops. My bunnies love this cage. It is just about the perfect size for them at 37 inches length and 22 inches width. They can easily sprawl with their feet extended just the way they like to. The Homey Pet heavy duty cage has a wire mesh design just like most other rabbit cages. This keeps it airy and bright. The mesh is close enough to prevent breakout attempts or injuries to your pet. Also, it has a top opening design that makes it easy to lift the rabbits out. There’s also a floor grid that gives your pet the bunny the perfect grip and ensures that droppings, fur and dander slip through to the removable tray at the bottom. You can also choose to fit the tray inside the cage if that works better for your pet. I have used the two tier cage by Homey Pet. However, it is also available in a three tier design. The best part is that each tier can be separated as an individual cage if need be. Lockable caster wheels on the bottom make it easy to transport the cage inside the house or to the lawn for a quick wash. #3 – 43″ Stackable Heavy Duty Cage w/ Feeding Doors and DividerIf 37 inches seem too small for your pet, then here’s an even bigger one from Homey Pet. This is the super large stackable heavy duty cage that is 43 inches in length and 38 inches in width. No matter how pudgy your bunny is, they will easily find room to rest in this one. A heavy duty wire mesh that is spaced 1.15 inches apart form the four sides of the cage and there is a full sized top opening to lift up your pets easily. The cage is only 33 inches tall. So, you won’t have to bend too much to lift your bunnies either. The package includes a divider which can be useful if you have two bunnies that are fighting with each other or there’s a single bunny that is sick and needs to be housed separately. For cleaning and feeding, there are extra wide front opening doors that give you convenient access to the inside of the cage. Cleaning is effortless thanks to a removable tray at the bottom. With enough room, you can easily install a litter bowl, the feeder, the water bottle and a hay feeder in the cage. I also hung two hammocks for my rabbits though they rarely used it. The best part is that you can buy two or even three of these and stack them one above the other if you have multiple pets. Each tier can easily house two or three adult sized rabbits and up to four dwarf sized ones. #4 – Miller Manufacturing Rabbit CageMy final pick in this list of best stackable rabbit cages is not a stackable cage by design. However, with some simple hacks, there is no reason why you cannot stack a few of these one above the other. Moreover, it is so cheap, that you can get a three tier cage at a fraction of what it would otherwise cost. This is the Miller manufacturing rabbit cage that has the simplest design among all other rabbit cages in the market. It is completely made of wire frame which is a minor let down especially if you are concerned about the wire mesh hurting the rabbit’s feet. But like I said earlier, it’s a simple hack. I just put a layer of hay which doubles up as the bedding too. It keeps the bunny warm which is an added benefit. You can also rig a removable tray on the bottom which you can pull out for cleaning. That would probably take some extra effort. But it’s completely doable. Coming to the cage, it is very durable and sturdy. There’s a single large front opening which has a spring tension latch for one hand operation. You can remove this and your bunny effortlessly even with one hand. The metal wire is rust proof which lets me hose it down if it needs to be cleaned. One of the things that need to be mentioned though is that you will need J-Clip pliers to assemble the cage. It is not included in the package. How to Buy Stackable Rabbit CagesAs I mentioned at the beginning, not everything that looks like the perfect house for your bunny is necessarily good. When it comes to stackable rabbit cages, even a tiny design flaw can result in an injury to your pet. Here are a few things that you need to keep an eye out for while selecting one. Space: The very idea of a stackable design is to conserve space that a conventional rabbit hutch would occupy. But, the space saving should not be at the cost of room for your pet to move about. It is estimated that rabbits need a cage that is at least six times their size. As a rule of thumb, I consider that the cage must be at least 30 inches in length and approximately 24 inches wide. In a stackable design, this would allow you to house two rabbits in a single cage. This size requirement will vary depending on the breed of the rabbit too. Access: Stackable cages rarely have top openings although a couple that I have picked in my list of the best multi level rabbit cages do have such a design. Even if it does, there’s usually a front opening also which facilitates cleaning. Depending on how you prefer accessing the interior of the cage, you’d want to ensure that the cage you pick has an opening that allows it. Durability: Some multi level rabbit cages are in fact dog crates that can house dogs up to 70 lbs. This means that you can easily keep two adult sized rabbits on the top cage without worrying about the bottom giving away under the weight of the pets. However, if it’s a rabbit cage or a small animal cage, then you should avoid keeping heavy pets in the top crate. Keep them in the lower tiers and house the lightweight rabbits or juveniles in the top tier. If it’s a wire mesh design, look for quality metallic wire that is chew-proof. Features: Due to the roomy interiors, stackable rabbit cages rarely have add-on features like water bowls or feeders. However, ensure that there’s enough room for you to install these in the cage. Some cages feature hooks or other attachments that let you attach these to the cage. Other features like a divider can be useful if you want to separate an unneutered male and female rabbit or an injured rabbit. Connectivity between the two tiers is usually with a ramp. The ramp needs to have no-slip feet to prevent your rabbit from slipping and falling into the lower cage. Cleaning: A stackable rabbit cage can be more difficult to clean than it looks like. So, look for designs that have removable pans under each tier. This will let you dispose the droppings and urine without spilling it into the bottom tier. Most importantly, the wire mesh needs to be rust proof so that you can use a hose to clean it. Wheels: While caster wheels are not mandatory, they are a very helpful addition to a rabbit cage especially during cleaning. You can easily push the cage to the bathroom or to any other part of the house and wash it clean. Assembly and disassembly: Most people don’t give assembly too much thought while buying the best multi level rabbit cages. However, I have seen many models that can take hours to assemble and may even require cutting and drilling holes. I know it’s a pain to get something out of the box and then spend a few hours trying to fix it. So, look for cages that are easy to assemble. To make things easy, I have picked four of the best cages that can be assembled in less than an hour. That’s it bunny lovers. I hope you enjoyed reading this stackable rabbit cage buying guide. Feel free to chime in with your thoughts in the comments section. Top images source: Bigstock.com The post The Best Stackable Rabbit Cages / Multi Level Rabbit Cages in 2017 appeared first on Rabbit Expert. via Blogger The Best Stackable Rabbit Cages / Multi Level Rabbit Cages in 2017 Despite firmly believing that rabbits must stay indoors, I have helped countless rabbit parents design outdoor rabbit cages from the ground up. And I must say that in a secure premise and in ideal weather, a rabbit hutch can provide your rabbit with more space than any indoor cage can. That does not mean that you don’t give your rabbits their share of indoor-socializing. But if you have a small house with a yard, then it may just be better to keep the rabbits outdoors. Having said that, making a rabbit hutch isn’t the simplest of DIY tasks and it is much better to pick one of the best outdoor rabbit cages in the market. As always, you are bound to be confused at the wide variety in the market. But you can trust me on this, appearances can be very deceiving when it comes to rabbit hutches. There are more factors to consider than buying an indoor cage. For now, here are my picks for the best outdoor rabbit cages.
The Best Outdoor Rabbit Cages Available on The MarketLet’s now go into more details about each of the five selected models. #1 – Merax Wooden Pet House Rabbit Bunny Wood Hutch HouseThe Wooden Pet House from Merax is one of my favorite outdoor rabbit hutches. It is made of fir wood and has a natural cedar colored stain finish with a contrasting dark green roof for the hutch. And the remainder of the running area is made from a closely knit wire mesh which keeps it airy and bright. The total cage is 61 inches in length making it one of the roomiest hutches that you can get for your rabbit. There’s ample room for all the accessories too like a litter box, hay feeder, bottle and food dish. The hutch connects to the running area by a non-slip ramp making it easy for the rabbit to scamper in and out when needed. Also, it is divided into two separate chambers that have a hole that the rabbits can use to run through. The hutch can be accessed via a top opening roof which has two hinges with locking arms. This makes it possible to access your bunnies easily without holding the roof open. What makes this one of the best outdoor rabbit cages is the quality of construction. Both, the fir wood and the wire mesh are extremely durable and can easily sustain extreme weather conditions. You’d still want to keep an eye out for mold forming inside though. Best features
How many rabbits can you house in this: You can easily house two large sized adult rabbits in this and multiple smaller ones. This can also be used as a chicken coop if need be. #2 – TRIXIE Pet Products Rabbit HutchThis rabbit hutch from Trixie is not as huge as our #1 pick in length. Instead, it has a more vertical design with the upper level housing the hutch and the lower level being the wired cage area. Both the levels are connected with a non-slip ramp and access is effortless for bunnies. You can also use the hatch door to prevent the bunnies from coming to the lower level at night. The wire mesh is made of powder-coated metal lattice that is resistant to rust and corrosion. The hutch is roomy and can be separated into two chambers with a door that lets your bunnies move freely from one room to the other. It has a hinged roof with locking arms which open upwards allowing you to access the interiors easily. Also, you can access the interiors using the front opening doors which are protected by wire mesh. This keeps the hutch bright and airy too. The hutch contains a removable plastic plate that makes it effortless to clean. The Trixie Pet Rabbit hutch is made from solid wood and has a natural pine finish with a glaze. Not only does this look absolutely stunning, it is also extremely durable. It is low on maintenance and will last for years without any problems whatsoever in all kinds of outdoor weather. Best features
How many rabbits can you house in this: You can easily house two rabbits in this outdoor hutch. #3 – Advantek – The Stilt House Rabbit HutchThe Stilted Rabbit hutch from Advantek is a stunner. It has a beautiful auburn and white finish with a stilted hutch designed like a house and a lower wired bottom connected with a non-slip ramp. This will blend right into your lawn irrespective of the setting. It is not as roomy as some of the other best outdoor rabbit cages that we have seen so far. But it is spacious enough for two large sized bunnies. The hutch is a single chambered one and has a wide opening front door for access. Also, there’s a pull out tray which can be removed for cleaning. The wire mesh is a tad flimsier than one would expect, especially if you have large sized adult rabbits who like to chew. You can however, get some 14 gauge wire mesh and add some reinforcement if you notice your rabbits making attempts to break out of this. Another possible flaw is that rabbits may dig up the ground or if you live in an area with rain, rabbits can track the dirt inside the hutch. A workaround is to grab a piece of treated lumber and place the cage on it. This solves both the problems. The construction of this rabbit hutch from Advantek is amazing. It is made from durable Cypress Fir that is rot and insect resistant. With some simple workaround and some basic maintenance, this will last you for years without any problems. Best features
How many rabbits can you house in this: You can easily house two rabbits in this one. #4 – Petsfit 42.5 x 30 x 46 inches Bunny Cages, Outdoor Rabbit HutchMy next pick of the best outdoor rabbit cages comes from Petsfit and this too, is a space saving tiered design with two levels. The upper level houses the hutch and the lower level is protected by a wire mesh. Petsfit ticks all the right boxes when it comes to rabbit hutches. The levels are connected by a non-slip access ramp, the upper hutch can be divided into two chambers and a removable pan on the bottom makes cleaning easy. But it is the multiple access doors that makes this one of the best designs not just for rabbits but for a variety of small pets. The roof can be opened completely and it has two side doors on either side of the hutch. The wired bottom area also has a door which can be opened and also features a latch. You can leave this open during the day and secure it with the latch at nighttime to keep predators at bay. There is a makeshift balcony on the side of the upper hutch which can be used to add some aesthetic appeal. Maybe, you can grow some flowers or your bunny’s favorite munchies here. The construction and the design are top notch. The wood is weather and insect resistant and is coated with a water-based non toxic paint. Overall, if you are crunched for space in your yard and are looking for a tiered rabbit hutch, then this is one of the best options you have. Best features
How many rabbits can you house in this: Ideally, this should not be used to house more than two adult sized rabbits. #5 – Pawhut 91″ Deluxe Large Wooden Bunny Rabbit HutchLast but not the least; this is one of the best outdoor rabbit cages in the market and also one of my personal favorites that I’d recommend to anyone without a second thought. This is the Pawhut Deluxe Bunny habitat and it is 91 inches long. That’s close to 8 feet in length folks and your rabbits will enjoy their time in this one. Like most outdoor hutches, it has a tiered design and the upper level houses the hutch or the living area while the lower level is the running area covered by wire mesh. There are front access doors to both upper and lower levels which give you easy access to your bunnies. Both levels are connected via multiple slip-proof ramps. I have also helped some pet owners make modifications to this and extend the front portion of the run into another running area that is protected by wire mesh. This allows them the freedom to keep the door to the run open at all times allowing the bunny to come in and go out freely. The downside though is that the quality of the wood is not the best. If you live in an area that experiences rain, then you may want to cover this with a tarp at least. Also, the latches may need some reinforcements if you have an escape artist at home. The niggles are only minor according to me and are not deal breakers. Best features
How many rabbits can you house in this: You can easily house up to five dwarfs or three large sized rabbits in this. Buying The Best Outdoor Rabbit CageContrary to popular notion, buying rabbit hutches for the outdoor is not very different from buying an indoor rabbit cage. You’d still have the same factors to consider, starting with the availability of space. If you have a thumbnail sized yard, you’d want to consider an outdoor cage with a tiered design that has the living space stacked above the run. This reduces the length of the cage and it will easily fit into any yard. However, if there is no dearth of space, then by all means go for a single tiered one in which the living area is only slightly elevated and the run extends horizontally. This gives the rabbit more space to move about. The second most important thing is the construction. Most outdoor hutches are made of solid treated wood. But you’d want to double check if it is resistant to insects and rot. You will find outdoor cages in all sorts of designs. But nobody said that rabbit cages had to be boring. All our recommendations for the best outdoor rabbit cages have stunning designs. They are beautiful and durable too. The wired mesh is an often overlooked part of an outdoor cage. But it is one of the most critical parts of the purchase that can protect your rabbit from predators and also prevent them from breaking out. If you discover after the purchase that the mesh is flimsy, please add some reinforcements to keep your pet safe. Just because it is kept outdoors does not mean that a rabbit cage does not need maintenance. You will still need to keep it clean to prevent fungal infections and mold from setting in. That sums it up people. If you need any further assistance with your outdoor rabbit cages, feel free to holler here in the comments section. The post Choosing The Best Outdoor Rabbit Cage in 2017 appeared first on Rabbit Expert. via Blogger Choosing The Best Outdoor Rabbit Cage in 2017 Rabbits deserve to live indoors with your family. These highly social and intelligent animals will make life less stressful for you with their antics. But there are so many myths about rabbits and their lifestyle that people dread thinking about one in their living room or a bedroom. Today, we are going to do some bunny myth busting and also explore some of the best large rabbit cages in the market. Why large? That’s because your bunnies will love the extra room. Ever seen a rabbit sprawl out in a luxurious and roomy cage? That’s priceless. Irrespective of whether you have one bunny or a bunch of them, getting home the best large rabbit cage will make life easier for both parties. Here are the five best roomy habitats for your bunnies.
I know what you are thinking. How are we going to accommodate a large cage in a tiny apartment? Well, although the name suggests that it is large, I have separated it according to the size and dimensions which will allow you to pick one that is best for you. For example, there is a large sized cage for a single rabbit, a larger one for two rabbits and the largest one for multiple bunnies and so on. So, here goes. The Best Large Rabbit Cages Available on The MarketTo make sure you make the right choice I’ve prepared a list of the best large rabbit cages available on the market. #1 – Living World Deluxe HabitatIf you are familiar with my website, then you’d by now be familiar with the Deluxe Habitat from Living World too. It features in almost every list of the best rabbit cages that I have created here. That’s because it is one of the most flawlessly designed habitats for rabbits. It is super-spacious (37.8 inches length x 22.4 inches width), has a deep base that protects the contents of the cage from spilling out and is designed to perfection with a bunch of other features. You do not need to go accessory shopping either. Just unbox the cage and set it up. Oh, it assembles in minutes too. It has everything your rabbit needs including a resting balcony, a feeding dish, hay guard and a water bottle. The feeding dish and water bottle are secured to the wires to prevent your pet from tipping them over. One of the things that I love about the Living world deluxe habitat is that there’s so many ways in which you can customize this. You can remove the elevated balcony for example and make it even more spacious. If your bunny finds the sliding access door too difficult to jump out of, you can make a makeshift ramp for them to get out of the cage. The possibilities are almost endless. The wires are as durable as they come. I have housed my habitual chewer bunny in this for months and all his attempts at escape have been thwarted. Best features:
How many rabbits can you house in this: I’d say two small sized rabbits or one large sized one. #2 – Kaytee My First Home Rabbit 2-Level Cage with Caster WheelsThis Kaytee 2-level cage will be perfect if you have two adult sized bunnies at home. It is longer than my #1 pick, the Living world Deluxe Habitat (Almost 48 inches in length). And it is also, one of the most perfectly designed habitats for domestic rabbits. There’s a hay buffet which lets your bunnies eat their timothy hay without making a mess of it and spreading it all over the floor of the cage, a water bottle that’s leak-proof and a food dish. These may seem like standard features but they are critical in letting you clean the cage. There’s less of a mess to scrub off the floor. By the way, you will also love the extra large access doors on the Kaytee My first home cage. The side door plops down to form a ramp which your rabbits can use to get out or get in. And there is a top access door too which is use for hosing the cage. The upper level, which doubles as the resting area makes it easy for the rabbits to stay and rest separately which is like an unsaid bunny rule. With the curving access ramp, your bunnies can slide down in no time. The ramp in particular, is much better than some of the other ones that I have seen in the market. The Kaytee My First Home Rabbit cage also features caster wheels which lets you move it easily for cleaning. Best features:
How many rabbits can you house in this: You can easily house two adult sized rabbits or up to three dwarf sized ones. #3 – Extra large rabbit cage – Living World Deluxe HabitatFor rabbit parents who loved the design and the look of the Deluxe Habitat from Living World but found it lacking in space, here’s the extra large rabbit cage from the same manufacturer. This is the exact same cage with some additional room that can be vital when you have two large sized rabbits. At almost 48 inches in length, this rivals the Kaytee My Home in size. But the design is slightly better. The top access doors for example, are curved which makes it better to look at and easier to open and shut. When you open the door, you almost have access to half of the cage making cleaning effortless. All the other features are identical to my #1 pick in this list. There’s the balcony which houses the feeding dish, a water bottle, a hay feeder and a deep set bottom that will prevent spillovers. Constrained for space to keep an extra large rabbit cage? Try the Living World Deluxe Habitat. It will snugly fit into a corner of the room. I used to keep mine near the base of the king sized bed in the room. Almost like an extension of the bed itself. Best features
How many rabbits can you house in this: You can easily house two large rabbits in this one. #4 – Extra large rabbit cage – Ferplast Krolik 140 Plus Rabbit CageFerplast has some really amazing rabbit cages in their lineup and the Krolik 140 is one of their best looking ones. Not to mention that it is more spacious than all the indoor rabbit cages that we have seen so far. The Krolik 140 is approximately 56 inches long. That’s almost 5 feet in length folks. If you always felt that your bunnies needed more room, then you’ve just found one of the best choices you have. The 140 has all the features that make Ferplast cages extremely popular among rabbit owners. There’s the patented base of the cage without any flares for more room, the separate removable extension for nesting or for separating one pet from the rest and the widest opening door among any rabbit cage. You get access to the complete interior of the cage allowing you to clean it with ease. The extension is designed like a wooden house making it cozy and comfortable. Bunnies love to rest in dark and cool places like these. Look closely at the Krolik 140 and you can make out that a lot of thought has gone into the design of the cage. The food bowl for example, has been designed in a way that it cannot be knocked down accidentally by the pet. The hay guard gives your rabbit an incessant supply of hay without letting them drag it all around the cage. All in all, this is a very sturdy cage that is easy to clean and maintain. Best features
How many rabbits can you house in this: You can easily house up to three adult sized rabbits in this. #5 – Largest Indoor Rabbit Cage – Ferplast Rabbit CageThe Krolik from Ferplast houses three of my mini lops and it still has ample room for a couple more. This is a monstrous sized habitat for rabbits that is 64 inches in length and 24 inches wide. That’s more room than any rabbit would ever need. The Krolik rabbit cage has a patented design with a no-flare base that gives your pets more room. Also, the height of the base prevents hay or sawdust or anything else from being kicked into the room where the cage is kept. A front door opens wide to give you complete access to the internal portion and to make cleaning effortless. All the accessories, like the multiple water bottles, hay guards and the elevated balcony are removable. You can just use this as a large bare rabbit cage if need be. I use it with all the accessories though. The cage also includes an extension which can fit to the main cage and functions as a separate room by itself. If you have a male rabbit that’s behaving nasty or an injured bunny, then this cage can be used to separate them from the rest of the group. It has its own sliding access door too. When not in use, the cage can be knocked down flat for easy storage. This also makes it an ideal portable cage for travel. Best features
How many rabbits can you house in this: You can easily house up to four or more mini lops or three large sized bunnies in this. Although I prefer giving my rabbits free-reign in one room that is bunny proofed, their cage time is an equally important part of their day during which they retire to their cage and sprawl out in the hay. Also, being toilet trained, they scamper to their litter boxes when it’s poo time. If you are on the fence about buying indoor rabbit cages and are wondering which one to pick, then here’s a quick buying guide that will help you decide. Best Large Rabbit Cage Buying GuideThe first and most obvious thing that you’d want to check is the availability of space in your house. Where do you plan to store the cage? Is there enough room? There must be space around the cage too that lets you access the cage from the top and from the sides. Secondly, the size of the rabbit cage that you will need also depends on the number of pets that you are looking to house in the cage. Most indoor rabbit cages are now designed like a habitat and include all the accessories you’d need. If you intend to use the cage only for the litter box, then ensure that you pick a cage that has removable accessories. For housing multiple pets, a cage that has a separate extension is a good choice because a group of bunnies are more likely to behave like wild rabbits and there may be in fights. Myth Busting 101I couldn’t complete this article without some myth busting about keeping rabbits indoors
That’s it folks. I hope you enjoyed reading through that and you are able to find the best large rabbit age for your bunnies. Top image source: Bigstock.com The post Buying The Best Large Rabbit Cage in 2017 appeared first on Rabbit Expert. via Blogger Buying The Best Large Rabbit Cage in 2017 Most rabbit owners are clueless about the importance of a good quality rabbit transport cage until an emergency trip to the vet is due. Makeshift or temporary cages or boxes are a poor choice for transporting rabbits. They can hurt your pet or even endanger their lives in extreme cases. The question is, why would you want to take a risk when there are dedicated transport cages in the market which allow your pet a safe resting place during travel? These are also very useful if you like to take your pet with you during holidays. One of the worst rookie mistakes is to keep rabbits unrestrained in cars. It makes me want to cringe every time I see that happening. Would you travel with an unrestrained dog in your car? Chances are that you won’t because the slightest impact can turn your dog into a projectile that can hurt you and him. Why don’t the same rules apply for a rabbit then? Nevertheless, if you are reading this, then chances are that you are looking for the best rabbit transport cage for your bunny. Well, you are in luck. For we have not one, but five of the best ones for you.
Let’s take a closer look at each one. The Best Rabbit Transport Cages Available on The MarketTo make your life easier I’ve prepared a list of the best rabbit transport cages available on the market. #1 – Favorite Dog Cat Rabbit Airline Approved Travel CageMy #1 pick is the super compact rabbit cage from Favorite. This is a perfect sized cage for transporting one rabbit. It is 23″ L x 15.5″ W x 13.5″ H which means that your rabbit will have ample room to move around in the cage. It has a wire mesh door on one side and durable polyethylene doors on all the other sides with ventilation slats. This keeps the cage airy and bright at all times. The plastic is extremely durable. It does not bend, break or crack and is resistant to scratching and bites from your bunny. There is a bit of assembly involved since it comes in three different parts. But it is fairly simple and there are instructions in case you get stuck. The Favorite Rabbit transport cage has two openings. One is the wire mesh door and the other is a top door which can be lifted up to remove or keep your pet inside. Both the doors can be secured with a latch. The wire mesh is thick and chew-proof and will keep your pet safe and secure during travel. By the way, this is an airline approved transport cage. So, if you are looking to travel internationally or within the country with your pet, then you will need this cage. You may however have to speak to the airline to know more details about compliance. The Favorite Rabbit cage is also very easy to carry. It has a top handle as well as a removable shoulder strap if you wish to shoulder carry. At under $36, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better choice in the market. Looking for an inexpensive first rabbit cage? Go for this smartly designed one from Favorite. #2 – Favorite Top Load Portable Pet Small Animal CarrierThe first pick in this list is perfect for all types of travel with your bunny. But if you are just looking for a portable cage for vet visits or short walks around the neighborhood, then take a look at this top loading portable pet carrier. This is also manufactured by Favorite and is one of their most popular models. The Portable pet small carrier is 18.5 inches in length and 12 inches in width making it roomy enough for short trips. Even a large sized bunny should be able to sit and sprawl comfortably in it. It looks stunning with a white and turquoise color tone and has a transparent lid on top which lets you keep an eye on your pet. There are two rotatable buttons which let you secure the lid. This also makes it easy to remove your pet from the cage in an emergency situation. The cage is essentially divided into two halves and there are four locks which snap into place when you join the two halves. It is stable and sturdy. There are a lot of vents on all the sides which keeps the cage airy and bright just like bunnies love. Carrying it is extremely easy too thanks to two handles which give the cage perfect balance. I own two of these for my bunnies. Just takes the guesswork out of their vet visits and they love sitting in these. #3 – Suncast 23 in. Deluxe Pet CarrierSuncast’s 23 inches deluxe pet carrier is perfect for the extra chubby bunny that will struggle to fit in to normal sized rabbit transport cages. It is 23 inches long and 15 inches wide. For normal sized rabbits, this will be akin to a plush rabbit cage with ample space. The design looks is different from conventional rabbit cages and there are a few neat additions to improve the aesthetics. For starters, the cage has wire mesh on three sides. The mesh is made of metal and is impossible to chew through. There’s ample light and air in the cage during travel. For longer trips, there are slots inside the cage where you can hang your rabbit’s food bowl and water bottle. This is a lovely addition to the design that prevents you from accidentally forgetting to pack these. There’s also a small storage compartment which can come in handy if you are using this to transport your cat or dog and want to store their leash. Also, there’s a sticker where you can put your pet’s name. One of the most important differences is that this is not a top opening design. There’s only one front access door to the cage. However, given the dimensions of the cage, the opening should suffice to keep and remove your rabbit whenever you want to. When not in use, it can be dismantled and stored flat. If you have two dwarf rabbits or one super sized fur ball, then this extra spacious cage will be the right pick to transport them for holidays or to the vet. #4 – Pet Kennel Direct 20″ Airline Approved Plastic travel crateOne more for the air travelling bunnies! This travel crate comes from Pet Kennel Direct who are one of the most popular brands manufacturing pet products. It is compatible with all USA airline standards & International Airline Standards which is mandatory for air travel for your pets. The cage is 20 inches long and 13 inches wide. So there’s no dearth of space for your pet. It is made of heavy duty plastic and should last for years without any problems whatsoever. It is actually designed to accommodate dogs and cats that are up to 20 lbs. So your rabbit should fit right in. The Pet Kennel Direct plastic travel crate is secured from all four sides and has a single front access door. Unlike some of the other cages in this list, it does not have tons of vents all over the side walls. The vents are slightly elevated on the walls but provide sufficient air and light. The only possible downside is that your pet may not be able to get a 360 degree view of the surrounding during travel. The front door is made of wire mesh and has a quick access latch that lets you remove your pet with ease. A small but sturdy carry handle allows you to carry it easily. #5 – Kaytee Me Travel Carrier, LargeWell, if you found my #4 pick a tad too claustrophobic for your pet, then you are absolutely going to love my next pick. This is the Kaytee Me Travel Carrier cage that is open from all five sides. It is more like a wire mesh rabbit crate that is open from all directions. Only this one is designed for travel. There is no dearth of air or light in this one. Like Kaytee Me’s rabbit cages, it has a sturdy deep set base that attaches to the wire mesh sides. The wire mesh is chew-proof and your bunny is not going to escape from this one for sure. The plastic base is easy to clean. You can just dismantle this and hose it to remove any debris or droppings. The handle is large and easy to grip. Also, the front access door is pretty spacious giving you easy access to your bunny whenever you need to. The Kaytee Me Travel Carrier also includes an optional wooden perch for birds. Rather than trips to the vet, I use my Kaytee Me Travel Carrier for neighborhood walks with my bunnies. They just love exploring the surroundings and it gives them some much needed sun and air. The best part? This is priced under $20. If that doesn’t make you want to try one of these, then maybe nothing will. How to pick the best rabbit transport cage for your bunnyBuying transport cages might seem like a simple enough decision to make. Trust me on this, it’s not. In fact, it is quite the opposite. There are tons of important factors to consider. At the forefront is the intended use of the cage. Where will your bunny travel to?For short trips to the vet or for neighborhood walks, you can pick just about any of the above mentioned best rabbit transport cages. I personally prefer the #2 pick, the Portable pet small carrier from Favorite or the Kaytee Me Rabbit cage. It is inexpensive and keeps the rabbit interested in the surroundings. For airline travel, you need an airline approved rabbit transport cage. The best one in this list is the #4 pick from Pet Kennel Direct. How big is the cage?Just because it’s a short drive to the vet does not mean that you can stuff your rabbit into a cramped cage. The rules of buying a rabbit crate still apply. There must be enough room for your pet to comfortably sit and lie down in the cage. If your rabbit is fussy about cages, then more the room, the better it is. Some pet parents also prefer cages with add-on features like a food bowl and a water bottle. What material do you prefer?Almost all the best rabbit transport cages are made of durable, heavy-duty plastic. The only other option that you have is to pick one that has wire mesh on the sides. How will you carry the cage?If you prefer carrying the rabbit transport cage in your hands, then one with a single handle should suffice. But if you prefer carrying it on your shoulders, then you need a cage that has a shoulder strap attachment. The carry handle should be sturdy and keep the cage balanced when you lift it and move. How will you access the cage?I personally prefer cages with two access doors. The top loading one makes it so much easier to lift up your rabbit from the cage. However, front access doors are not bad provided they give you enough room to reach into the cage. That’s a rule of thumb. Put both your hands inside the cage and try to imagine as if you are removing your pet from it. Does it feel too cramped? You need another cage then. Can you clean the cage?Despite being a 15 minute drive to my vet, I have had my pets litter the cages on multiple occasions. Sometimes, they are feeling a bit under the weather. On other occasions, they just don’t like to step out of the house. Whatever the reason, you need a cage that you can clean easily. And that’s precisely why soft rabbit cages or ones made of wood don’t work. Transporting rabbits is always a challenge. But with the best rabbit transport cage, you can be rest assured that your pet is safe and secured. I hope that you like one of the five that I have recommended and you have a safe trip with your bunny. Top image source: Bigstock.com The post Choosing The Best Rabbit Transport Cage in 2017 appeared first on Rabbit Expert. via Blogger Choosing The Best Rabbit Transport Cage in 2017 A first time rabbit-parent, who was searching for the best indoor rabbit cages, recently asked me about the challenges of keeping his bunny in the house. He was using an outdoor hutch, but his pet was petrified of the neighbour’s dog and a couple of days ago, he noticed coyote pugmarks around the home prompting him to consider the possibility of keeping his pet indoors. When I informed him that rabbits can get a heart attack even seeing a predator approach them, he almost got one himself. Rabbits are very intelligent, loving and social creatures that thrive inside the home. And contrary to what most people think, they are not going to chew through your furniture or your expensive leather boots if you are careful enough about rabbit-proofing the home. Six years ago, when Felix my pet cat succumbed to Cancer, I didn’t have the faintest idea that I’d be bringing home rabbits. But as luck would have it, they all came in one by one or should I say invaded the home? With a little love, care and attention, they will blend into your family. The only thing that you’d want to ensure is that they have their own personal space to retire to once in a day. That’s where indoor rabbit cages come into the picture. If you’d like to skip through the information and jump straight to my recommendations of the best indoor rabbit cages, then here you go.
Are Indoor Rabbit Cages Humane?Absolutely! Give them enough time to expend their energy and they will love to retire to their cages themselves. The problem occurs when people keep their bunnies indoor for too long and the rabbits have no playtime. Also, unless you have spayed or neutered your bunny, they are more likely to mark their territory and get a free run of the home for littering. Using a cage with positive reinforcement is the best way to introduce litter habits that will keep your house from stinking and make life easier for you and your pet. I have four rabbits in the house and I have tried three cages for them so far. I started with an indoor cage that was suited for one rabbit when I got home Checkers. But when Jasper and Muffin joined him, I had to expand their living space and got them an extra large cage. Karamel is the latest addition to the gang and I have since graduated to a new cage. The point is that having tried these cages first hand and having scoured the market for hours before making a purchase, I have become a self-made rabbit cage savant who can dole out unbiased and non-salesly information about rabbit cages. The Best Indoor Rabbit Cages Available on The MarketIf this is the first time you are hopping into rabbit cage turf, then sit back with a bunch of carrots and enjoy this list of the best indoor rabbit cages. On the contrary if you already have a rabbit cage and are looking for an upgrade, then these cages are categorized according to their size, price and quality. You can surely find one that best suits your fur ball. So, here goes. #1 – Petsfit Rabbit HutchThe first indoor rabbit cage that I got home was the Petsfit Rabbit Hutch and I stumbled upon it by chance. The word ‘Hutch’ in the name had me wondering whether this was meant for backyard use. A quick email conversation with Petsfit ensued and in came this roomy and very attractive indoor cage for Checkers. For starters, this is a stunner. It is made from solid wood and has a beautiful wine red and white finish that you’d love to flaunt in your living room. At 36 inches long and 20 inches wide, it is not oversized either which allows you to keep it anywhere in the house. But it gives enough room for one bunny to retire after a tiring day spent hopping around. It features a top opening design with a pneumatic roof that you can lift easily to get your bunny out for cleaning. Coming to cleaning, the bottom tray slides out easily and can be cleaned with a quick rinse. The challenge though is to remove this without spilling the contents of the tray to the floor. Ideally, the floor of the cage and the removable tray should have been separate. But that’s only a minor niggle with easy workarounds. Construction wise, the Petsfit Rabbit Hutch is built like a rock. It is sturdy, does not wobble and will not come apart even if you have a habitual chewer. Tip: If you are concerned that your bunny might chew his way through this, then run some wire on the inside of the house and you are protected. Best features
If you have a single bunny at home and are looking for a roomy, durable indoor rabbit cage, then you’ve just found it. The Petsfit Rabbit Hutch is highly recommended! #2 – Kaytee My First Home Deluxe Rabbit 2-Level CageWhen I got Jasper home, a cage upgrade was due and this large indoor rabbit cage from Kaytee was suggested by our vet. She uses it for her guinea pigs. One look at it and I knew that this would suffice for the two of them. It is 48 inches long and 24 inches wide giving them enough room to play, rest and use their respective litter boxes. The cage has a wire frame design and has caster wheels on the bottom which allows you to move it to any part of the house. I kept mine next to the futon bed in the guest room and it fit snugly. You can access the interiors from four different openings. There are two top openings and two front ones with latches. I didn’t think that a baby rabbit would find his way out of the cage and kept the door unlatched one night. Believe it or not, Jasper figured his way out. Since then, the latch was in business and order was maintained. The latches are chew-proof too! The Kaytee indoor rabbit cage has a bunch of impressive add-ons that make your bunny’s indoor time interesting. There’s a comfort shelf for rest time, a safety ramp that lets them slide their way to the other side of the cage, a water bottle that dispenses water easily, a food dish and a hay buffet (Checkers loves this). Other than the features that are advertised, I also discovered that this cage has a slightly deep bottom which prevents your bunny from kicking any leftover stuff into the room. Best features
There are very few large and roomy indoor rabbit cages in the market. This is one of the best ones of the lot. It is durable, easy to move around and keeps your rabbits’ indoor time interesting. #3 – Living World Deluxe Habitatif you are not looking to spend a hundred dollars for an indoor rabbit cage, then you’d want to check out Living World Deluxe Habitat. It is hands down one of the best large sized indoor rabbit cages in the market. It has a wire frame design that is very similar to the Kaytee Indoor rabbit cage but it approximately 10 inches smaller. It is 37.8 inches in length to be precise and 22.4 inches wide. That’s not massive. But it is more room than what an adult sized bunny would need. In fact, you can easily house two rabbits or guinea pigs in this. The wire frame is durable and chew-proof and it keeps the cage airy and ventilated. There is a comfort shelf (balcony) with an access ramp which looks steep at first glance. But the bunny can easily hop on to it without using the ramp anyway. Other features include a tip-proof food dish, a water bottle that is advertised as leak-proof but does leak a little and a hay guard. Best features
The living world deluxe habitat is the best seller in the ‘Small Animal Cages’ category on Amazon and has a flawless customer rating that has remained consistent over the years. If you are looking for a budget priced large rabbit cage, this is your best choice. #4 – Ware Manufacturing Home Sweet Home Pet Cage for Small AnimalsI don’t like the word ‘Cheap’ used with pet products because it makes it sound like you are talking about a low quality product. But Ware Manufacturing has really pulled a rabbit out of the hat here (no pun intended). The Home Sweet Home Pet Cage is perfect for a single bunny, has a durable wire and quality plastic design. That’s an absolute steal considering how durable and sturdy this pet cage is! It is approximately 24 inches in length and 14 inches in width. All parts are chew proof and there are no sharp or jagged edges. In fact, with a two-piece design, you can be rest assured that you will not lose out on any of the parts during assembly or afterwards. Best features
The Home Sweet Home Pet Cage is a perfect choice for the budget minded shopper looking for a barebones rabbit cage without schmancy features and bells and whistles. #5 – Living World Deluxe Habitat Extra LargeMy final pick in this list of best indoor rabbit cages is this extra large sized rabbit cage from Living World. This is a bigger version of the #3 pick in this list and is perfect for three to four dwarf rabbits or two large adult sized rabbits. It is approximately 47 inches in length and measures 23 inches in width. All the features of the smaller version of the cage have been retained. So, you have the extended balcony, the access ramp (removable), the tip-proof food dish that is attached to the side of the cage and a sturdy plastic base that keeps the cage from wobbling or sliding when the bunnies move. Despite the extra large sizing and the amazing features it is a complete value-for-money purchase. If you have multiple pets, then go for this extra large cage from Living World. Hard to go wrong with this! Best features
That’s it bunny lovers. I hope that this helps you to make an informed decision and pick the best indoor cage for your rabbit. In my next article, I will be speaking about the best cheap rabbit cages for the spendthrifts out there. Until then, adios! Top image source: Bigstock.com The post How to Choose The Best Indoor Rabbit Cage in 2017 appeared first on Rabbit Expert. via Blogger How to Choose The Best Indoor Rabbit Cage in 2017 In my previous blog post, I had spoken briefly about the best cheap rabbit cages. The word cheap is actually a misnomer that I hate using with anything. Inexpensive or budget priced are much better terms to describe products with a pocket-friendly price tag. Also, a cheap price tag is subjective. What may be a cheap rabbit cage for me may sound expensive to you and vice-a-versa. So, I have kept $60 as the upper price limit while finding the best cheap rabbit cages and $25 at the lower end. Here are my picks based on their quality, customer ratings, size and features:
The biggest doubt that most people have while opting for an inexpensive pet product is whether it is poorly made. Sadly, when it comes to rabbit cages, cheap usually translates into poor quality. Wires that bend too easily, can be chewed through, cages with sharp protruding edges on the inside, comfort shelves that give away under the weight of the rabbit, roofs that would collapse at the slightest impact, I have seen all sorts of design flaws while researching good quality rabbit cages that don’t cost a bomb. There’s a lot of clutter in the market and I had to spend days finding a handful of products that had a low price tag without compromising on quality. Are These Cheap Rabbit Cages the Right Choice For Me?Having lived with four amazing bunnies in the past few years, I have had first hand exposure to a lot of rabbit products. Some, I have used myself. Others have been used by my friends who also have rabbits as pets. I also spoke to customers on online pet forums who have used some of these rabbit cages. Based on my research, I’d like to clear some facts and bust some myths before we begin. In many scenarios, one of these cheap cages will be a great choice for you. For example, if you have baby rabbits or guinea pigs that are looking for a temporary cage for a transitional phase or if you have a rogue rabbit that prefers to live solitary or if you are unsure whether a rabbit is the right choice of a pet for you and you are looking for a budget priced indoor cage. Those are just some of the possible situations that I could think of. Even if none of these apply to you and you prefer not to spend too much on a rabbit cage, go ahead and pick one of these. These are a lot more likely to last longer as compared to other low priced models in the market. The Best Cheap Rabbit Cages Available on The MarketBelow you’ll find my five top selections. #1 – Ware Manufacturing Home Sweet Home Pet CageMy first pick is the Home Sweet Home Pet Cage from Ware Manufacturing that boasts of a price tag under $30. But don’t be fooled into thinking that the price tag has anything to do with the quality. This is a very good quality rabbit cage for the price. It has a two piece design with a durable plastic base and a wire frame cage that connects to the base with clamps. The cage is 24 inches long and 14 inches wide which make it perfect for one adult large sized rabbit or two dwarfs. You can easily add a litter pan in the corner and there’d still be enough room for the rabbit. The wire frame is chew proof and there are no sharp edges on the inside that can hurt your pet. Unlike cages which have a canvas layer in the bottom making it a nightmare while cleaning, this cage is a breeze to clean. You can detach the wire and run a hose to remove the dirt or debris. If you are finicky about the color, then you can pick from three different colors for the base of the cage. The wire is white in all of them. Best features
This cage is also available in two larger sizes which are ideal if you have multiple pets. This can easily pass for a $100 cage that is sold in retail outlets. Unbelievable value for money! #2 – Miller Manufacturing Rabbit CageI personally prefer cages that have a solid base bottom as opposed to a wire bottom. But if you can overlook that minor letdown, this rabbit cage from Miller Manufacturing ticks all the right boxes. It is extremely sturdy, very roomy and comes with a door latch. For starters, this is spacious enough to store two rabbits. Most of the cages in the market are rectangular in shape and have an elongated design. Not this one. This is a square shaped cage that gives enough room for a water bottle, a food dispenser and a litter box. The wire is thick and does not bend. It comes completely disassembled though and assembly can be a tad tricky. The J-Clip pliers needed to join the wire sides together are not included in the package. Since this is rust resistant, you can just hose it down for a quick cleaning. Also, this can be used as an outside hutch if you prefer. The best part is that despite being roomy, sturdy and easy to clean, this rabbit cage from Miller Manufacturing costs less than $25. Best features
The only possible nit that I could pick with this is that you will need to pay at least $10 extra for the J-Clip pliers if you don’t have a few lying around. Otherwise, this is a steal. You cannot ask for more at the price. #3 – Miller Manufacturing Pop Up Rabbit CagesMy next pick is the updated and more recent version of the wire cage from Miller Manufacturing. This comes with rounded edges, two access doors including a flop down door on the side and a sliding tray on the bottom to easily clean the urine and droppings. It has the same durable wire frame construction like the previous model in this list and is extremely sturdy. The design is a tad different though. This cage is approximately 30 inches in length and 16 inches wide. The wires are spaced perfectly allowing you to hang feeders and water dispensers with ease. With the slide-out bottom tray, you don’t really need to add a litter box to the cage. But if you wish to, then there’s ample room for it. A possible flaw is that the pan is just an inch deep. If you have multiple rabbits in there, then it can get messy pretty soon and even spill on to the floor. Ideally, it should have been at least two to three inches deep. The flop down side door allows your bunny to go in and out whenever its play time. And you can always remove them from the cage easily with the top access. Also, unlike the previous model, this includes all the hardware that you need for a quick installation. Best features
The Miller Manufacturing Pop up cage is roomier, sturdier and costs just $20 more than the earlier one. If you need a more spacious cage or have multiple small pets, then by all means go for this one. #4 – Living World Deluxe HabitatLiving World is one of the most popular brands that manufacture good quality cost effective pet cages. This deluxe habitat cage is one of their bestselling models that is designed innovatively and is often compared to much higher priced cages due to its sturdy construction. It has a two piece design like most other wire framed cages with a separate plastic pan and a wired upper which attaches to it with clamps. This also allows you to easily separate the two and clean the bottom portion. One of the best features is that the pan is 7 ½ inches deep and has a textured bottom. This will prevent your bunnies from accidentally or intentionally kicking any debris into the room. At 37 inches in length and 23 inches in depth, this is one of the biggest rabbit cages that you can buy at this price point. It can easily house two adult rabbits or up to four dwarfs. It features a balcony with an access ramp that is removable and can be attached to either side of the cage, a tip proof food dish, a tip proof water bottle and even a hay guard. In simple terms, you can give everything that your rabbit needs in under $60. Unlike some of the other cages in this list, this Living World Deluxe Habitat cage does not need any assembly. It comes ready to use out of the box. There are four access doors to the cage and you can secure the door with a clamp in case you have a Houdini at home. Best features
The Living World Deluxe Habitat Cage is undoubtedly, one of the best cheap rabbit cages in the market. It has a proven performance and is highly rated by rabbit owners. #5 – Super Pet My First Home Cage for RabbitsLast but not the least; here’s an amazingly compact rabbit cage from Kaytee. This is called the Super Pet My First Home Cage and you can use it for your bunnies, hedgehogs or guinea pigs. It is smaller than some of the other cages in this list. But it should give enough room for one or two guinea pigs or one adult rabbit. It is approximately 30 inches in length and 18 inches wide. You can easily put a litter box in the corner without the cage seeming too cramped for your bunny. The design is similar to the Living World Deluxe Habitat cage. There’s a deep plastic pan on the bottom which connects to the wire top with latches. The latch points are designed in such a way that your bunnies cannot access them or try to chew their way out. The wires are approximately 1 inch apart. So, if you intend to use this for rats or any small sized pets, ensure that they cannot wiggle their way out of it. The extra depth in the pan ensures that none of the contents of the cage ever find their way into your room. This translates into easier cleaning and less of a mess in the room where you store the cage. By the way, the wires and the base are chew-proof. You can be rest assured that they are not finding their way out of this. I have personally used Kaytee’s rabbit cages and they are extremely well built. You shouldn’t have any problems with this as long as you are not overcrowding the cage. Best features
That’s it. I just saved you a lot of time and the potential for making a costly mistake. As always, do your own research and make an informed decision before buying any pet product.
The post How to Choose The Best Cheap Rabbit Cage in 2017 appeared first on Rabbit Expert. via Blogger How to Choose The Best Cheap Rabbit Cage in 2017 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.
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 CageLooking 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
#2 – Best Large Rabbit Cage – Living World Deluxe HabitatTalking 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
#3 – Best Outdoor Rabbit Cage – Merax Wooden Pet HouseIf 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
#4 – Best Wire Rabbit Cage – WabbitatThere’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
#5 – Best Multi Level Rabbit Cage / Stackable Rabbit Cage – Critter Nation Small Animal CageThere’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
#6 – Best Extra Large Rabbit Cage – Living World Deluxe HabitatTime 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
#7 – Best Extra Large Rabbit Cage – Ferplast Krolik 140 Plus Rabbit CageAnd 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
#8 – Best Small Rabbit Cage – Precision Pet Rabbit Resort Rabbit CageIf 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
#9 – Best Rabbit Cage With Pull Out Tray – Homey Pet-3 and 1 Tiers Chinchilla Hamster Rat Ferret CageYou’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
#10 – Best Rabbit Cage On Wheels – Kaytee My First Home Deluxe Rabbit 2-Level Cage with Caster WheelsMy 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
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 CageWhile 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 HutchThat’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. SizeThe 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. MaterialThe 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. DesignMost 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. AccessoriesSome 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.
PortabilityThe portability of a rabbit cage can be determined in two ways.
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 CageA 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 qualityOn 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 edgesWhen 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 bottomIrrespective 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 treatmentsChemicals 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. SpaceThe 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 bottomOne 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 FAQIf 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 ThoughtsWith 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. via Blogger Choosing The Best Rabbit Cage in 2017 |
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