The Truth About Rabbit Wire Bottom Cages

We'll go over the good, the bad and the ugly of rabbit wire bottom cages and explain why you should avoid wire bottom cages if possible.

To begin with, if you have a domestic indoor rabbit you should be using a different type of cage or enclosure. 

Typically a plastic rabbit cage which they can claim as their own territory.

It’s crucial to remember that rabbits have a lot of energy, so if they’re kept in a cage, it should be possible for them to get out to run and play daily.

Most shop bought cages and hutches aren't big enough! Rabbits should have a minimum space of 3m x 2m by 1m high.

Wire bottom cages are known to cause sore hocks & calluses, however, rabbits kept outside that have a solid bottom cage are prone to having worm and other parasite issues.

Cons of a Wire Bottom Cage

Can cause sore hocks Possibility of infection in feet Uncomfortable Not easy to run and binky on You still need a non-wire bottom area to allow your rabbit to rest on it

Pros of a Wire Bottom Cage

Wire bottom cages carry less bacteria Your rabbit won’t live in its own mess Some rabbit breeds may not develop sore hocks Provides constant fresh air

Another factor to take into consideration is that rabbits quite simply weren’t built to live on wire mesh flooring.

The history behind wire-mesh flooring comes directly from our inability to care enough to clean our rabbit’s cages regularly.

Wire-flooring doesn’t exist in the wild and to state that it’s better than a solid flooring goes against everything nature has taught us.

Pros of Solid Floor Cages

Less prone to damaged feet Little to no risk of getting sore hocks Closer to their natural habitat Less likely to get fractures

Cons of Solid Floor Cages

You will need to regularly clean their cage Higher possibility of getting ill if not cleaned regularly

Evidence shows that ‘rodents’ and other small animals prefer solid bottom flooring in their cages. If in doubt, ask your vet for advice!

So, if you have a wire bottomed cage, what should you do? You could replace it or use wood, hemp mats, or other materials to create a solid floor.

The best solution is to skip the rabbit wire bottom cage and go straight into a solid floor. Once that’s done, purchase the correct bedding for your rabbits needs and clean regularly.

Solid floors are best and when it comes to rabbit enclosures, the bigger the better!

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