Solid Bottom Cages/Hutches

House rabbits in wooden or plastic-floored cages lined with 3-4 inches of absorbent bedding such as straw, hay, or kiln-dried pine shavings. Spot-clean soiled bedding daily and perform a full clean-out weekly, replacing all bedding and scrubbing surfaces with a vinegar-water solution.

Why It Works

Solid floors eliminate the risk of sore hocks (pododermatitis), which affects up to 10-15% of rabbits on wire flooring, particularly heavy breeds like Flemish Giants and New Zealands. The bedding absorbs urine and provides insulation in colder months, mimicking a more natural burrow-like environment that reduces stress.

Tips

• Use kiln-dried pine shavings or straw; avoid cedar shavings, which contain phenols toxic to rabbits' respiratory systems
• Designate one corner as the latrine area (rabbits naturally choose a spot) and focus daily cleaning there to reduce labor
• Ensure the hutch has adequate ventilation openings on at least two sides to prevent ammonia buildup from bedding