Both children and adults love to have a pet rabbit because it is cuddly and cute, and it is easy to maintain. However, we are also aware of the fact that maintaining a rabbit or any pet for that matter is not cheap. You need to provide various things like foods, medicines, and most important of all, shelter.
One of the most common questions among first-time pet rabbit owners is “Can we reuse rabbit cages for new rabbits?” Well if you have old rabbit hutches or someone you know can lend you one then you will surely be able to save some amount of money. So why not, right? Well, the answer to that question is yes you can use an old rabbit hutch for your new bunnies. However, there are considerations to make. Here are some examples:
- Clean them first – The very first thing that you should do to prepare an old hutch for your new pet bunny is to clean it thoroughly. You should make sure to remove all dirt – algae, dust, and other substances that may have stuck on the sides and other areas of the cage. It is also advisable to disinfect the whole cage to be sure it is free from bacteria or germs that can infect your new pet.
- Put new paint or varnish for cage made of wood – If the old cage is made of wood, then it is recommended to put new paint or varnish to it. This will make the cage look new, and of course presentable. Rabbits can appreciate beauty so you might as well provide them with beautiful shelter (even though it is not new).
- You can place substrate to keep the cage warm and cozy – It is essential to keep their shelter warm and cozy because they get cold easily especially during winter season. You can place a small enclosure wherein they can hide and sleep. In terms of substrate, you can try to place dried hay, newspaper or straw. Not only it will make it easier for you to clean the cage but it will also keep your does and bucks warm.
- Think of a good area where you will place the cage – It is also necessary to place the cage in a peaceful and quiet area to avoid stress for your pet bunnies. You can place it inside the house or somewhere quiet like your backyard or garden.
- Clean the cage at least twice a week – you should also maintain proper hygiene for your pet by making sure that its cage is clean all the time. It is advisable to clean the shelter twice a week.
- Make sure to provide clean water and food bowl – Lastly, you should not forget about water and food bowl for your rabbit. You must also keep these things clean everyday to avoid diseases on your pet.
You should consider the things mentioned in this article in reusing your old cage for your new doe or buck to make sure that they can have a healthy and safe shelter.