caring for living space

Question
Hi.
I have a rabbit who spends about 20 hours/day in her cage, and about 4 out of it. I can't allow her more time than that due to my other rabbit, who also roams about.
Can you suggest a decent cage, quality bedding, and how to treat sore hocks?  I have had her for quite awhile, but don't think I tend to her needs enough and would like to care for her better. Thanks!
-April

Answer
Dear April,

The type of cage that is best for your situation depends largely on whether your rabbit stays indoors or outdoors. If outdoors, a wooden hutch (with a wire bottom for droppings)should be fine if it is protected from wind, rain, predators, and direct sunlight. Also, be sure the wood is not cedar, as that is toxic to rabbits. Some hutches can be made so that a wire cage fits inside a wooden enclosure with a roof and curtains. It is important to keep the rabbit protected from:

--predators--the hutch should be off the ground away from the reach of neighborhood dogs and such

--direct sunlight--rabbits are very sensitive to heat.In the warmer weather if your rabbits gets sluggish and hot, freeze a water bottle full of water, and then give it to the bunny. This helps keep him cool, and gives him something fun to roll around!

--rain--just make sure the roof does not leak, and rain cannot come in the front, and the rabbit should be okay.

--wind--be sure there is something covering the front of the hutch and any area that might be exposed to wind, as the rabbit will have no way to hide from it otherwise.

If your rabbit lives indoors, a wire cage with a tray in the bottom for droppings should be fine. You might want to put a tarp or plastic garbage bag or something underneath in case the rabbit wets over the edge of the tray.

This site: http://www.woodyswabbits.com/

might be helpful. I have not looked at the site much, but I have ordered lots of cages, food bowls, and water bottles from them, and they are good quality supplies. They are quick, too--they have always gotten here within two to three days after ordering them! Of couse, depending on where you live, it could be different for you, as the company is fairly near where I live, but they are efficient. If possible, look into upcoming rabbit shows in or near the area where you live, and whether Woody's Wabbits will be there. If you can buy your cage there, it would save alot on shipping costs!

I would not recommend cages where the rabbit sits in the bedding, because they tend to eat their hard, day-time stools, which can sometimes make them sick. Also, if they ever get pasty stools or diarrhea, it would be a lot harder to clean up if they were sitting right in it like that.
You can use pine or white shavings in the tray, or there is this pellet stuff that is called Eagle Valley Animal Bedding (check for this at a farm supply store if you can)that is very absorbent, and you can use less of it than the shavings. If you use to much at one time, it expands when the rabbit wets on it, and the tray gets too heavy to take out!

For sore hocks, you can put a board in the rabbit's cage for it to sit on (not cedar, treated wood, rotten wood, or anything with nails or other sharp, dangerous objects!), which helps it from rubbing its sore feet on wire cage floors. Use Bag Balm on the actual sore hocks. You should be able to find this at a farm supply store, or even a grocery store. Apply with your finger on the sore spots, and repeat once or twice a day until they start clearing up.

I hope this helps!
God Bless
AEJ