Raising Rabbits Indoors. Are you looking to begin raising rabbits indoors? If so be sure to read this latest raising rabbits article.
Rabbits are versatile pets that can be raised both indoors and outside. A bunny is an excellent pet for a child to keep in his or her bedroom, because rabbits are quiet, small, have few demands, and when the cage is kept clean, produce little odor. And of course, a bunny is (in our opinion) a lot more fun to play with than a hamster or hermit crab.
Raising Pet Rabbits Indoors
Did you know that you can train a rabbit to use a litter box? Even if you plan to give your bunny the run of the house, you need to provide a cage for him and place the litter box in the rabbit cage. The cage should sit on the ground so your rabbit can “go home” any time he pleases. If he learns to count this cage as his own personal space, he will be less likely to use the bathroom in other parts of the house. A cage offers a rabbit a place to hide when he feels threatened, and to sleep peacefully when he wants to rest. Plus, you can shut his cage door when you leave the house so he doesn’t get into trouble while you are gone.
Indoor rabbit cages may have solid floors, or wire floors with a drop tray beneath. Use odor-absorbing bedding in the cage floor or drop tray. Suitable bedding includes wood pellets, aspen shavings, or shredded newspaper (if the newspaper is printed with soy ink, as much of it is these days). You should not use cedar shavings, though, because their scent has caused respiratory problems in small animals. Clean out the cage floor or drop tray every couple of days to prevent the smell from building up. A product called Sweet PDZ can help with the odor also. Clean dishes and bottles once per week with soap and water. Sanitize the entire cage at least once per month using bleach, vinegar, or an iodine-based disinfectant. Never use Lysol or similar chemical-cleaners on your rabbit equipment.
Bunny-Proofing your Home
Rabbits love to chew. They will gnaw everything they can get their teeth on, and they don’t stop at fancy furniture or electrical cords. This is one reason why it’s better to have one or two “bunny rooms” where your rabbit is allowed to go than to give it run of the full house. In these rooms, make sure electrical cords are kept well off the ground. You can wrap furniture legs in foam and packaging tape. Though far from stylish, this will help protect them from busy bunny teeth. You may be able to teach your rabbit what he may and may not chew on by using the command “no” and gently pushing him away when he tries to eat something he shouldn’t…such as your curtains.
How Many Rabbits Can I Raise Indoors?
Rabbits make great house pets, but there is a limit to how many you can practically keep indoors. If your doe has a litter once or twice a year and you sell the babies quickly, that’s fine. But if you intend to breed rabbits for meat or show purposes, you will need more space than your house will probably allow. An indoor rabbitry, be it in a barn or house, must have excellent ventilation, and a floor you don’t mind getting dirty. Some people have kept rabbitries in a covered porch off the house with success.
See Also our Article on: Raising Rabbits Outdoors
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