Your first consideration will of course be the rabbit hutch in which he lives. Outdoor rabbit hutches are specifically designed for external use so can easily cope with the winter weather, but you need to make sure that there aren’t any damaged areas or holes that could send the cold air rushing in. It’s often a good idea to cover the mesh areas of the hutch with additional materials for added comfort (a see-through plastic covering is often ideal), and you of course need to make sure that he’s got plenty of straw for added insulation and soft bedding to curl up in.

Often providing sufficient insulation is all you need to do, but if you’re worried about the cold winter nights then you might want to consider an indoor rabbit cage instead. This can give you added peace of mind that your beloved pet is perfectly comfortable, and depending on how cold it gets it could certainly be worth thinking about. Ultimately a bit of preparation and a good stock of bedding and straw will ensure your rabbit stays cosy during the winter months, and if you’re looking for the supplies to accommodate make sure to take a look around.

Whether she’s slumbering on your lap or relaxing in her cat house, your domesticated little friend is a natural predator and instinctive killer. Cats hunt because of instinct rather than necessity (hence the sharing of spoils all over the kitchen floor occasionally!)

The BDO term this effect “hyperpredation”, which essentially means that the predator (your cat) has its diet supplemented by another food source (you) and so hunts at an ongoing level that’s unaffected by the falling number of garden birds. Bird numbers fall, cats continue to hunt the same number of birds, thus impacting further on the garden bird population.

•    Put a bell on kitty’s collar to alert birds. She’ll still be able to climb and hunt, but hopefully without actually catching anything.

•    Install cat runs for use during heavy breeding seasons. Minimising the amount of time your cat spends stalking prey can help significantly. Quick tip – rabbit hutches etc are NOT suitable, even for short term use.

•    Place bird feeders etc. well out of kitty’s reach (cats can be incredibly nimble, so it may take a bit of experimentation!)

•    Never punish your cat for bringing home kills. Cats respond best to positive reinforcement methods.

The best way to care for a pet is by purchasing a high quality rabbit hutch, which is large enough to accommodate your pet’s size and give them room to move around. An outdoor rabbit hitch can be kept in a garden or living space of any size, and should incorporate a window to allow fresh air to circulate in the hutch. Outdoor rabbit hutches are available in single storeys, as well as larger sizes too.

Most of our customers often opt for large rabbit hutches to provide their furry pet with ample space. Some of our large rabbit hutches have a compartment which your rabbit can sleep in, as well as a living area that they can explore at their leisure – and there is no chance of the rabbit escaping. Many large rabbit hutches incorporate stairs and this can ensure they remain fit and healthy so the rabbit may be able to maintain their weight.

Our rabbit cages are excellent value for money and are extremely competitive with our industry rivals prices. We believe that when it comes to high quality rabbit cages and hutches, you will find it hard to find products better than ours.

Outdoor Runs
Tortoises aren’t keen on glass vivarium housings indoors or outdoors (they prefer wood) Lots of our customers are keen to give their tortoises the freedom to play in the garden but unsure as to the safest way. Outdoor runs are ideal as long as there’s somewhere sheltered and dry (even and old dog bed will do!) Chicken coops and rabbit hutches, or more precisely, chicken and rabbit exercise runs, couldn’t be better suited to tortoise use. But remember, with no heat lamp it’s important to monitor the outside temperature carefully and bring your little friend back inside if needs be.

Free to Roam
If your tortoise is fairly large (perhaps ten or more years old) you may be more inclined to give it the freedom of the entire garden. But remember to secure any potential escape points, including loose soil and bedding areas at the base of fencing escapes may be slow but they’re certainly determined!

Predators
Although the UK isn’t really home to any natural tortoise predators, larger birds may try to grab a baby tortoise. Magpies tend to be the most prolific tortoise thief, so be on the lookout and consider keeping small tortoises in a covered mesh run.

Burrowing
Tortoises love to dig and burrow, so pay close attention to the ground in your garden when constructing a tortoise run.

Space
A pet rabbit needs to have enough space in their hutch to stretch out and to stand up on their hind legs. As well as this, rabbits also need to be able to run around and get exercise. Rabbits that do not have enough space to run, hop and stretch may well develop health problems such as muscle wastage, obesity and spine deformities. A lack of space can also have detrimental effects on a rabbit’s mental well-being and so create behavioural problems such as cage chewing and aggression.

Comfort
To help mitigate the effects of bad weather, outdoor rabbit hutches should really be kept in sheltered areas of a garden. Rabbits hate the cold, so it can often worth bringing them in during the winter months, or at least moving their hutch into an insulated garage or shed. Alternatively, a heat pad and blanket could be added to the rabbit’s sleeping area to help create extra warmth and insulation from the cold.

Whether you need a rabbit hutch, parrot cage or vivarium, be sure to browse our offers here at ideas-4-pets. With VAT and free delivery included on all purchases, you’d be hopping mad to go anywhere else!

However, this is not where the instructions stop. It is also absolutely crucial that you make sure your floppy eared friend is not left on its own. Such animals need to be around their own species. If you think about them in the wild, you rarely see one by itself. There is often a group of rabbits hopping around together searching for food and looking out for danger. Therefore, if you leave your pet by itself, it may become stressed and its behaviour will change.

While it is better for rabbits to have human company than no company at all, there is no substitute for their own kind. The best combination is usually a neutered male with a neutered female. However, if you do have a single rabbit in your care, you must ensure it has company from trusted humans for several hours each day.

If you’re keen to get a bunny for your home, you should check out our selection of rabbit hutches here at ideas-4-pets. Our website is also the perfect place to come if you would like a parrot cage, dog bed or anything else of this nature.

If you have just bought a rabbit as a pet, there are still several months before it will be safe for him or her to leave the hutch, so a few basic precautions should ensure your new pet stays warm in the winter. Make sure the bedding in rabbit hutches is clean and dry, because if it gets wet it could freeze. This will cause the rabbit discomfort and could lead to illness, so check the bedding regularly. If he does get wet, gently dry him down with a towel, and make sure the hutch has a waterproof cover to avoid this.

Have a look at what ideas-4-pets can offer you, and you’ll find something for your pet, whether you need dog guards or a pet rat cage, you’re sure to find them here. In short, we can help you out will all pet needs, which is why more and more people are turning to us. And if you are looking specifically for dog guards or a rat cage, you’ll be delighted at our wide range.

Like many owners of such pets, you may keep them outside, rather than having them in the house.

As long as they are in a safe rabbit hutch, this should be fine. The enclosure should be strong enough to protect them from the wind and rain and it should also be fox proof.

After all, if it is not, your adorable little creatures will be sitting ducks if a fox decides he fancies his tea.

However, there is another aspect of rabbit hutches that you ought to bear in mind.

At this time of year, it is vital that you ensure the rabbit hutch you use is warm enough.

During the winter, you need heat to help you through and your furry companions are no different.

Thankfully, there are a range of heaters that can be placed in rabbit hutches these days that serve this role.

By investing in such products, you can make sure that your bouncy pets are contented no matter how bitter the conditions get.

And this may just help you rest easy at night. After all, there is nothing worse than lying in bed awake worrying that your poor little rabbits are suffering from the cold.

To view the range of items available, simply have a look at the relevant section of our website. You are bound to find something that suits your particular circumstances.

However, the fitness of our pets is not such a hot topic and it is something that many people overlook.

This could be a mistake. For example, if you own a rabbit, it is crucial that she gets sufficient exercise in order to remain in good shape.

In the wild, these bouncy little creatures are forever hopping around in search of food and to hide from possible threats.

Meanwhile, in the domestic setting, they spend most of their time in rabbit hutches, meaning they are restricted in their movement.

This is not to say that having a rabbit hunch is wrong. Far from it, such miniature homes are a practical and effective way of keeping rabbits.

However, you should consider using exercise pens in addition to rabbit hutches so that your four-legged companion has space to get active.

You could get into a routine whereby each day you remove your pet from her rabbit hutch and let her hop about in your garden.

The advantage of using a special pen rather than letting her run loose are that she will be easier to catch to place back in her house and also she will not be in danger of getting lost and eaten by foxes or run over.

There are a range of styles and sizes of pen, so there is bound to be one that suits your outdoor space.

There are a number of factors you should bear in mind when selecting your hutch, such as is it big enough for your furry companion.

Such animals are numerous in terms of their breeds, with some requiring more space than others.

If you are unsure what type of rabbit hutch is appropriate for your animal, it may be worth seeking the opinion of a vet or other type of expert.

Once you have this information to hand, you can commence your search for the ideal product, and using the internet can be a great way to source the items, meaning you can achieve cost savings and do the shopping from the comfort of your own home.

Generally speaking, rabbit hutches should have a good sized cage with two compartments.

One side should provide protection against the weather and should be a safe area in which to sleep and stay away from predators. This zone should be enclosed to protect your pet from draughts and rain.

This section should also be covered with newspaper or sawdust, and should have a layer of straw on top for warmth and comfort.

The other side is often covered in wire mesh to allow fresh air and sunlight to get in.

It is also handy for rabbit hutches to have removable doors for cleanin,g and you should make sure you replace the bedding straw on a regular basis.