Rabbits without cages
By Porcospino
@Porcospino (31366)
Denmark
February 12, 2020 12:53pm CST
Today I read an article that encouraged people to let their rabbits live without cages. According to the article the rabbits were happier that way, and they wrote that it was a good idea to let them run around in the entire home (like a cat or a dog).
I believe that the rabbits would enjoy having a large space instead of a cage, but I don't intend to let mine run around without a cage when we are not there. They could get hurt or damage electric cables or other things. I have experienced that in the past. Last time I had to get a new phone charger, because the other one was destroyed by a rabbit (it was my fault, I should have removed it before I let the rabbits run around in the room)
There are too many things that could be dangerous for them or get broken, but there is also another reason why it wouldn't be a good idea. Our dog would probably chase them around and bark at them.
Instead we have bought large cages for them and we often let the rabbits run around outside the cages - but only while we watch them and only one room at a time.
Do you think it is a good idea to let rabbits live without cages? Would you do it?
Photo: Mine (one of my rabbits)
10 people like this
10 responses
@Porcospino (31366)
• Denmark
12 Feb 20
Thanks 
Our rabbit is still quite young, we got her last year.
Did you make any changes in your home before you let your rabbit live free? What about electric cables etc? I ask because I once had a rabbit who destroyed the tv cable and the internet cable, and I would be worried about that and worried that the rabbit might get hurt in some way.
Our rabbit is still quite young, we got her last year.
Did you make any changes in your home before you let your rabbit live free? What about electric cables etc? I ask because I once had a rabbit who destroyed the tv cable and the internet cable, and I would be worried about that and worried that the rabbit might get hurt in some way.
@marguicha (216270)
• Chile
12 Feb 20
I don´t think a house would suit a rabbit more than a cage. Nice picture!
1 person likes this
@Porcospino (31366)
• Denmark
13 Feb 20
Thanks This rabbit is still quite young, she was born last year.
I agree. I think that a cage is better. I would be afraid to let my rabbits live without cages, They could get hurt or damage things.
This rabbit is still quite young, she was born last year.
I agree. I think that a cage is better. I would be afraid to let my rabbits live without cages, They could get hurt or damage things.1 person likes this
@Porcospino (31366)
• Denmark
15 Feb 20
@marguicha In my country some people also keep rabbits outside. Our winters are very cold sometimes and personally I wouldn't do it, but if it is different if the winters are mild like your winters.
1 person likes this
@marguicha (216270)
• Chile
13 Feb 20
@Porcospino I had some sweet rabbits many years ago, but their urine was very strong. We had to make a cage outside. We have very mild winters though.
1 person likes this
@Porcospino (31366)
• Denmark
13 Feb 20
I agree. They would need a place without furniture or other things. My ex and I once let our rabbit run around in our living room while we were eating breakfast in the kitchen. The rabbit destroyed the tv cable and the internet cable. Since that time I always watch my rabbits while they are away from the cage.
1 person likes this
@Porcospino (31366)
• Denmark
15 Feb 20
@topffer Yes, it is not their fault. It is the owner's responsibility to remove the things that could be dangerous or could get damaged.
1 person likes this
@topffer (42156)
• France
14 Feb 20
@Porcospino It is a good thing that they did not tried an electric cable. It is not their fault, they are rodents and need something for their teeth.
1 person likes this
@wolfgirl569 (96282)
• Marion, Ohio
12 Feb 20
I wouldnt. Some people complain about everything without knowing any real thing about it.
1 person likes this
@Porcospino (31366)
• Denmark
13 Feb 20
I wouldn't do it either. According to the article it is best for every rabbit to live without a cage, but I don't agree.
1 person likes this
@wolfgirl569 (96282)
• Marion, Ohio
13 Feb 20
@Porcospino To do that you would have to get them all fixed also.
@Porcospino (31366)
• Denmark
13 Feb 20
That is scary. Even though he is bigger now it is best not to take any chances. I also watch my rabbits when they are away the cage. We used to have a special outdoor cage, but it didn't project them completely against other animals, so I only used the cage when I was outside too.
1 person likes this
@rakski (112925)
• Philippines
13 Feb 20
@Porcospino It was timely that I went out that time, if not maybe he was eaten
@Porcospino (31366)
• Denmark
12 Feb 20
I am sure that the rabbits would enjoy living without a cage, and in theory I think this is a really good idea. but I would be afraid that they would get hurt while I was away from my home. They leave the cage every day, but I watch them when they are away from the cage.
1 person likes this
@louievill (28851)
• Philippines
12 Feb 20
I would side with you, large cages and made to roam freely once in a while. If I won't keep them in cages then might as well release them in the wild, it's too dangerous for them and for me to let them run free inside my house.
Pet rabbits we have now were raised in captivity for so many generations already so I am in the opinion that rabbits themselves would feel safer and won't really mind a caged environment ( our country has no wild rabbits), the same is true with aquarium fishes that were raised and bred in controlled environments since time immemorial like gold fishes and kois.
1 person likes this
@Porcospino (31366)
• Denmark
13 Feb 20
That is also how I see it. According to the article I read it is best for every rabbit live without a cage, but I would find it too dangerous. The rabbits might get hurt or damage things in my home. Most of rabbits in my country are pets. There are some wild rabbits, but they are not very common.
1 person likes this
@Porcospino (31366)
• Denmark
13 Feb 20
Yes, I think that a cage is a safer option. I would be worried about my rabbits if they didn't live in cages.
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@JohnRoberts (109857)
• Los Angeles, California
12 Feb 20
No, because rabbits would leave their "pellets" all over the place.
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@Porcospino (31366)
• Denmark
13 Feb 20
It is possible to litter train rabbits, but some are harder to litter train than others, and it is my experience that some rabbits never learn it. In many cases they would treat the house as one big toilet 
1 person likes this
@Porcospino (31366)
• Denmark
13 Feb 20
Wild rabbits also exist in my country, but they are not very common and they only exist in some parts of the country. I have never seen a wild rabbit here.
1 person likes this
