The 3 things I'd do again from day one
If you're looking for the right cage for your rabbit, wait a moment before you buy it: the right thing to buy might not be a cage at all.
I'm Giulia, designer and founder of Susy®, and I've shared my home with Susy, my house rabbit, for 13 years. I've changed a lot of things along the way, but three of them truly made our life together better, and if I could go back I'd do them from day one. Here they are, with the reason behind each one. In the video below you can see how we set them up at home (it's in Italian, with English subtitles).
1. Water bowl or bottle? Why I chose the bowl
Water bottles come with almost every rabbit starter kit, so it's natural to think they're the right choice. I thought so too. But veterinary studies from the University of Zurich tell a different story: given the choice, rabbits prefer a bowl, even those that have always used a bottle. From a bowl they drink in a more natural position, head down, and up to three or four times faster, without having to push a metal ball to get a few drops.
And for a rabbit, drinking well is no small detail: water is essential for healthy digestion.
How to choose the bowl
· I suggest a flat ceramic bowl, solid and heavy, so it can't be tipped over and is easy to reach any time.
· Keep it away from the litter box, so it stays clean for longer.
· Change the water every day.
· If your rabbit is used to a bottle, don't remove it overnight: leave both for a few days.
2. A hay feeder instead of a cage: keeping the house clean with a free roam rabbit
Let's start with the cage. The RWAF, the UK Rabbit Welfare Association & Fund, recommends a minimum living space of at least 3 × 2 metres, 1 metre high. Even the biggest cages on the market are far from that. That's why Susy has always lived free roam at home.
Free roam rabbit: how do you keep the house tidy?
It's the question I get asked most. The most useful trick I've learned is simple: while eating hay, a rabbit tends to do its business at the same time, and usually always in the same spot. In my experience, when hay and litter box are together, droppings stay there and the rest of the house stays clean and tidy.
If your rabbit has already picked a corner, my advice is to put the hay feeder right there: it's easier to adapt the house to your rabbit than the other way round.
Choosing hay and litter
· Hay should always be available: it's not a side dish, it's the base of their diet, around 80% of what they eat.
· When you buy it, smell it: good quality hay is green, fragrant and not dusty.
· I choose a large litter box, big enough for your rabbit to fit and turn around.
· Inside, a natural litter made of paper or wood fibres, like our Eco-Litter. I'd avoid clumping cat litter and pine or cedar shavings.
· For the hay feeder I prefer wood to plastic, which rabbits can chew.
Do house rabbits smell?
In our experience, no, as long as the litter is the right one and kept clean: droppings removed every day and the litter fully changed at least once a week.
Retta, the hay feeder I designed
All of this led to Retta: hay and litter in a single piece, with a removable aluminium litter tray for easy cleaning and a solid oak frame. It's designed to sit in your living room, kitchen or hallway, not hidden in a corner, because that's where your rabbit will spend many hours, day and night.
3. Pet gate or playpen: keeping your rabbit safe when you go out
Free roam also means thinking about the times you're not home. When I go out, Susy stays free but in a safe area, because a home has its risks: a bite into a live cable can cause serious burns, or worse, and so can a misstep near vases or glass objects.
A pet gate closes off a door or passage; a playpen creates a safe area within a room. It depends on your home and the space you have.
How to choose one
· Height: I suggest at least 70 cm, ideally 90 cm, especially with young rabbits, who jump higher than you'd think.
· Narrow bars, so they can't get their head stuck.
· Material: I'd go for metal; plastic can be dangerous if chewed and swallowed.
· Inside the safe area: water bowl, hay feeder with litter, a hiding spot and a rug, away from direct sunlight.
Before you leave: my quick checks
· Fresh water in the bowl
· Hay in the hay feeder
· No cables or dangerous objects within reach
· Gate or playpen securely closed
In short
A water bowl instead of a bottle, a hay feeder instead of a cage, and a pet gate or playpen for when you're out. Three simple things, but you and your rabbit will feel the difference every day.
In part 2 we talk about how to organise your home around a house rabbit. Subscribe to our YouTube channel so you don't miss it, and if you have questions or want to share your experience, leave us a comment under the video.
FAQ
Is a water bowl or a bottle better for rabbits?
Studies from the University of Zurich show that, given the choice, rabbits prefer a bowl, drinking more naturally and up to three or four times faster. I suggest a flat, heavy ceramic bowl.
How much space does a house rabbit need?
The RWAF recommends a minimum of 3 × 2 metres, 1 metre high: far more than any cage on the market. That's why many owners keep their rabbit free roam, with a safe area for when they're out.
Do indoor rabbits smell?
In our experience, no, when hay and litter are in the same spot and the natural litter, in the right size, is cleaned every day.
How tall should a rabbit playpen be?
I suggest at least 70 cm, ideally 90 cm, especially for young rabbits, with narrow metal bars.
I'm not a vet: this is my personal experience. For your rabbit's health, always ask a vet experienced with exotic pets.
Sources: Tschudin et al., Veterinary Record (2011) and J. Anim. Physiol. Anim. Nutr. (2011); RWAF, "A Hutch Is Not Enough"; House Rabbit Society.