What’s better? Free roam? Cages? Pairs?

[Royal]

   I’m looking into getting a bunny in the future, so I’m focusing my attention at cages right now. So, I’m planning to have my bunny be a free roam around my room. I will be going to school, early morning to 3pm. So the bunny will be alone and I’m not sure if I should get a cage to have he/she in while I’m away. Is it possible for me not to get a cage, and overall let it be free roam around my room all the time even when I’m away? Would a pair be better then for that situation? Does a pair usually keep each other company, and a little more occupied for when I’m out, so it doesn’t get into trouble as often? Also, if I do need a cage, what would be the best one to buy/make. I’m looking at NIC cages and X-pen/Dog pen stuff, and I like those ideas. Would it be okay if I sectioned off an area with NIC grids or an X-pen, and let that be considered a cage/area thing for a bunny?  

Thanks for ur time!

[Deleted User]

Xpen is definitely the way to go, as far as a good amount of space while you’re out. If you get two buns, make sure they are already bonded. If you get two single buns you will need to wait until they have settled in and both have been spayed and neutered. It can be a very long process, and it is very involved.

[bobnlinda]

My bunnies are in a big dog crate and an X-Pen made with NIC grids when I’m not home. I LOVE the NIC grids as I can make the pen the size and shape I want to. I have two litter boxes in the dog crate to keep most of the stray poops contained. I would also look into getting a bonded pair so they don’t get lonely if your not around for extended periods of time.

[joea64]

I have a bonded pair (mother and son for the record, though rabbits don’t have the human sense of family relationships) who live in a large, 2-story NIC cage and get “outside” time all night, every night, in an X-pen set up right after supper, attached to their cage and only taken down again when it’s time for me to go to work and they’ve had their breakfast. They never get less than 8 hours straight free time out in the X-pen and up to 12 hours or more on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and holidays (limited mainly by my need to move their habitat around so I can get to the litterbox, hay rack and food/water dishes and clean the edifice out every week). As I live in a small efficiency apartment that’s not bunny-proofed, this is the best alternative for both me and the bunnies personally.

[sarahthegemini]

A bunny needs as much space as possible, they are very active creatures that will sprint and binky when given the opportunity. Personally I don’t agree with cages unless they’re being used as just a ‘homebase’ and the rabbit can come and go as they please.

Bunnies are social so yes, much better in pairs at least but we aware that unless you adopt an already bonded pair you’ll need to go through the bonding process which can be very tiresome so it’s best to read up on it beforehand so you know roughly what to expect. I will say though, it won’t necessarily stop them getting into trouble lol.

[sarahthegemini]

A bunny needs as much space as possible, they are very active creatures that will sprint and binky when given the opportunity. Personally I don’t agree with cages unless they’re being used as just a ‘homebase’ and the rabbit can come and go as they please.

Bunnies are social so yes, much better in pairs at least but we aware that unless you adopt an already bonded pair you’ll need to go through the bonding process which can be very tiresome so it’s best to read up on it beforehand so you know roughly what to expect. I will say though, it won’t necessarily stop them getting into trouble lol.

[Royal]

Thanks for all of your guy’s suggestions! Would you think a complete free roam bun be best, in a bun proofed room, have a home base area, but overall have complete access to everywhere in my room at all times? I personally have had past experiences with animals in cages, so none of my animals I have right now have ever been in a cage (except for non-dogs going to the vet). I just want to make sure a cage is absolutely necessary before buying one for a bun/s.

[Wick & Fable]

A rabbit can be free roam as long as your place is rabbit-proof. I would not advise going full, free roam until you have had ample time with your rabbit while supervising in the free-roam space to see what nooks, crannies, and tendencies the rabbit may have.

Wick is free-roam 24/7 in my small apartment, and from observations, I know never to leave anything on the coffee table while I’m gone, close the bathroom door, etc.. If your place is able to be rabbit-friendly in entirety, the more room the better; however, if you it’s too risky due to furniture elevations, spacing of walls (rabbits are pretty good at discerning distances, but if they fall in a gap behind something, they may get trapped), than only free-roam when you’re around, and put them in a secure X-pen when you’re not there.

As everyone said, there is special considerations if you want two rabbits. The bonding process is quite complex and takes a lot of time, dedication, and space. A solo rabbit is an option, though not the preference. Wick is a solo bun, but I’ve learned by having him that he prefers minimal attention during the day, so him being alone is not an issue. If the shelter you are looking at mentions a rabbit who may do better in a more quiet, mellow environment, perhaps that could be a route. Most rabbits sleep from 8AM to 3PM anyways. That’s actually Wick’s bed time, daily.

Are you living with family, roommates, or anyone else? I consider it a requirement that at least one other person (preferably all those who may have a chance to interact with the rabbit(s)) is familiar with rabbit care as well, so when you’re gone for trips, vacations, or just gone overnight for some reason, you have a reliable other person to take care of your pet.

The answers provided in this discussion are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or a qualified behaviorist.

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