Article by Allan Michael Taylor
Rabbits & Guinea Pigs: Hutches vs. Cages
As a rule people think that having a pet rabbit or guinea pig is going to be easier than other pets, on the contrary they require just as much care and attention as any other kind of pet that you select. There are many different aspects to taking care of rabbits and guinea pigs. Once such aspect is the assortment for housing. Two choices are hutches and cages.
Hutches are intended for out-of-doors living situations, and more so for rabbits than guinea pigs. Guinea pigs aren’t normally kept outdoors. Rabbit hutches come in a diversity of shapes and sizes, and can be made from various different materials. There are a number of people who prefer to construct their own hutches when the outlay of building one is less than the cost of buying one.
The standard rabbit hutch should safeguard your rabbits from cold temperatures and cold air during the winter months. It must also allow you to change things up a bit to permit for air flow during the warmer months. In most circumstances, the wire bottom hutches are not recommended for elongated term living situations for rabbits. It can initiate damage to their feet, and in bunnies it can produce deformities to occur in the legs and feet. The wire bottom hutches are suitable for short-term housing, like if you are cleaning out a hutch and need somewhere to put the rabbit. You should, however, add a board for the rabbit to stand on if the wire starts to damage. It is also suggested that for all hutches, you should have a litter box of some sort, which will keep the rabbit in more clean conditions, as well as aid you in cleaning.
Cages, on the other hand, are the choice when you are going to house your rabbit in the home, and it is a necessity for guinea pigs. Cages can also be made from numerous different materials, but the most common ones are made from some kind of plastic. Generally, for rabbits, the cages will be a combination of a solid plastic bottom and a wire top, which allows for ventilation and interaction with your rabbit; they can also be used for guinea pigs. There are also plastic cages that have substantial plastic tops and bottoms that snap or clip together in some fashion. Generally, these are not recommended for use, principally because there isn’t a lot of air circulation. As with the cages, you should have some sort of litter pan in the cage for your pet guinea pig or rabbit.
If you opt to build your own hutch or cage for your rabbit or guinea pig, always keep in mind that they will grow up, more than ever if you have gotten a young one. If your rabbit or guinea pig is already an adult, you should still make available enough room for ample movement. You don’t want your pet to feel claustrophobic and restricted. Rabbits habitually like to jump and play when they feel happy or excited. Guinea pigs like to run around in circles or all-around the perimeter of their accommodation.
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I have compiled a directory of Cheap Guinea Pig Cages For Sale In The UK
Ron primarily now lives in his large outdoor pen, some 700+ sq ft in size, but also has access to this small indoor cage in my living room/bedroom through a PetSafe brand pet door (which he is still just beginning to learn how to use…) Notice how he is ‘cleaning’ his paws and fur… this is why you don’t really give foxes a bath like most people do dogs. They have very naturally clean fur and they do groom themselves. Well, my PC mouse DOES kinda look like the real thing… or at least like a toy!! Or is that Ron trying to browse FA for a cute vixen…. oo
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