Choosing a cage:
Housing is the most expensive initial cost you will have when purchasing a rabbit, so naturally, you want one that will properly meet your rabbit's needs. So, what exactly should you be looking for?
INDOOR CAGES
Storebought Cages
The first cages considered by most people will probably look at something like one of these. Cages like these would cost anywhere between $80 and $150 and up. They look pretty good from the photos, but both of these rabbits are fairly young. As your rabbit grows, are you really going to want to continue buying new cages for him?
House Rabbit Society says the minimum size cage a rabbit should live in should be at least 12 sq feet. Cages like these are usually about 8 sq feet maximum, which is no where near big enough for a medium sized rabbit (which will grow to about 10 lbs-the size of a house cat. Dwarf breeds grow to 5lbs, giants to 20lbs+). Storebought cages are sufficient if you just want something temporary while your rabbit is small, but they will not provide for a lifetime of growth.
House Rabbit Society says the minimum size cage a rabbit should live in should be at least 12 sq feet. Cages like these are usually about 8 sq feet maximum, which is no where near big enough for a medium sized rabbit (which will grow to about 10 lbs-the size of a house cat. Dwarf breeds grow to 5lbs, giants to 20lbs+). Storebought cages are sufficient if you just want something temporary while your rabbit is small, but they will not provide for a lifetime of growth.
Is there another way?
Well, that all depends on how much time your rabbit will be spending outside of his cage.
If you plan to have your rabbit free-ranging (having free run of any certain room/rooms or anyplace outside the cage most of the time or always) using a storebought cage could be sufficient.
As you can see in the photo to the left, there is a large (and quite commonly used) petstore cage. Note that the cage is completely open and has the rabbit's food, hay, and toys inside of it. This is a setup that would work well if you want to have a "petstore" cage, or if you already bought one and can't get rid of it. If your rabbit is going to have free-range in an entire room, a dog crate usually works best. Just remember that your rabbit's cage, if it's going to be that small, should stay open at all times (except perhaps when you leave the house for short periods of time or when you feel uncomfortable letting the rabbit out).
If you plan to have your rabbit free-ranging (having free run of any certain room/rooms or anyplace outside the cage most of the time or always) using a storebought cage could be sufficient.
As you can see in the photo to the left, there is a large (and quite commonly used) petstore cage. Note that the cage is completely open and has the rabbit's food, hay, and toys inside of it. This is a setup that would work well if you want to have a "petstore" cage, or if you already bought one and can't get rid of it. If your rabbit is going to have free-range in an entire room, a dog crate usually works best. Just remember that your rabbit's cage, if it's going to be that small, should stay open at all times (except perhaps when you leave the house for short periods of time or when you feel uncomfortable letting the rabbit out).
Indoor Hutches
Indoor hutches are usually even smaller than storebought cages, but building your own could ensure a good amount of living space for your rabbit, and it usually comes a lot cheaper than buying a cage from the pet store. To the left is shown a hutch that was purchased from a store. A hutch that size would cost about $200. A hutch this size would work for a free-range rabbit but a rabbit shouldn't be kept in one this small for extensive amounts of time.
The hutch shown below was made from an old entertainment system and is an easy way to make an indoor hutch that also looks nice. It would cost much less for a DIY hutch than to buy an indoor one.
This hutch was made by sawing open two window-like holes into the doors of an old entertainment system and inserting mesh into the holes. A cut was also made in between the two sections of the system to allow for the rabbit to move easily from area to area. Tiles line the bottom and up the sides about 3 inches to keep urine from soaking into the wood. If you purchase a system like this used or happen to have a spare stand laying around the house, you could easily do this project for less than $100.
The hutch shown below was made from an old entertainment system and is an easy way to make an indoor hutch that also looks nice. It would cost much less for a DIY hutch than to buy an indoor one.
This hutch was made by sawing open two window-like holes into the doors of an old entertainment system and inserting mesh into the holes. A cut was also made in between the two sections of the system to allow for the rabbit to move easily from area to area. Tiles line the bottom and up the sides about 3 inches to keep urine from soaking into the wood. If you purchase a system like this used or happen to have a spare stand laying around the house, you could easily do this project for less than $100.
NIC Cages
NIC cages are the easiest, cheapest, and most efficient cages you can find. You can make your own from storage grids found at Target, Walmart, or Bath and Body Works (they usually run about $20 for a pack of about 17-20 grids. A good sized cage will require at least 2 boxes of 17 grids). To make these cages, you will also need zipties (or cable ties) to connect the grids together (the connectors that come with the grids are not sturdy enough for a rabbit cage). NIC cages are great because you can make them any shape or size you want. The only issue with them is that they don't come with flooring. Most people use linoleum sheets as flooring for NIC cages. They are cheap and easy to clean. A 16 - 20 sq foot NIC cage would cost about $60-70 (including flooring and zip ties) and will last your rabbit it's entire life. You can change the shape or size of the cage at any time which makes it very flexible if you ever find you have to move the cage.
Below is a video about how to make a standard bunny condo for less than $60 with NIC grids and zip ties.
Below is a video about how to make a standard bunny condo for less than $60 with NIC grids and zip ties.
X-Pens
X-pens are another affordable option for housing. (Pictured to the left is a large x-pen).
X-pens cost anywhere between $50-130 but are more than large enough for multiple rabbits. The most expensive part of having an x-pen as a cage is getting proper flooring to protect your wood floor or carpet from urine damage. If you have tile floors, they will be easy to clean in case of messes; so flooring wouldn't be an issue if the rabbits were to stay in a room with tile flooring. If not, a larger cut of linoleum would be nessisary to protect your original flooring. Overall, x-pens are good investments because they provide the space and flexibility your rabbit will need for its lifetime.
X-pens cost anywhere between $50-130 but are more than large enough for multiple rabbits. The most expensive part of having an x-pen as a cage is getting proper flooring to protect your wood floor or carpet from urine damage. If you have tile floors, they will be easy to clean in case of messes; so flooring wouldn't be an issue if the rabbits were to stay in a room with tile flooring. If not, a larger cut of linoleum would be nessisary to protect your original flooring. Overall, x-pens are good investments because they provide the space and flexibility your rabbit will need for its lifetime.