I spent most of yesterday afternoon looking at rabbit hutches that were for sale in some of the most popular high street stores and garden centres and was appalled at the type of hutch that was on sale in some of them.

They were certainly cheap to buy but they were cheap in every other way as well !!  The walls and door of one of the hutches I looked at were constructed from the thinnest of hardboard which means that in the colder months a pet would be in grave danger of either being extremely cold and uncomfortable or even freezing to death !! 

The hutch was being advertised as a rabbit hutch but was no taller than about 12″, meaning that an average rabbit would be unable to sit up on its hind legs to stretch.  The length of the hutch would not have given a rabbit enough room to lie down and fully stretch out its body eithr which means that the poor rabbit would have a lifetime of being in the same position.

I know that things are tight due to the current recession but should our pets have to suffer because of it?  Here at ideas-4-pets believe that a pet’s welfare is paramount.  We believe in educating our customers as to the best type of rabbit hutch to purchase in order for their pet to lead a long, happy and healthy life.

A rabbit should be able to sit on its hind legs comfortably when in its hutch and should have enough room to stretch out fully and we recommend a rabbit hutch to be at least 3 times the length of your rabbit in order for him to do this.

A rabbit also needs to have plenty of exercise and so a rabbit hutch with an under-run is a good idea as it allows him more space and the chance to hop from one level to the other to releive his boredom and exercise his legs.  Toys should be added to his cage for him to play with and ideally your rabbit should have access to a rabbit run so that he can hop around in safety unless you have a safe garden area where he can be let out under supervision.   He requires access to fresh, clean water at all times and needs a good quality feed to keep him healthy.

It may be a surprise for some would-be rabbit owners to learn that a rabbit needs as as much exercise as a small dog in order to keep him happy and healthy and he also needs plenty of space, warmth and security, not forgetting “toys” to amuse himself with when you are not with him.

My advise is that if you can’t afford to give a rabbit the right type of hutch then put purchasing a rabbit on hold and wait until you can buy him one that will more than satisify his requirements.  Rabbits are sensitive little creatures that not only require love and attention on a daily basis but also need space to move around freely to prevent boredom and aching limbs.  It’s really not too much to ask of their owner is it?

You wouldn’t put a small child outside on a cold, windy day in a T-shirt would you?  So don’t put your rabbit outside on a cold day in a flimsy rabbit hutch.  For the sake of your rabbit’s health and well-being please take time to read up on rabbit hutches before rushing out to buy the cheapest.  If you love your rabbit and want his life to be happy and comfortable then he deserves much better than the hutch I have described.