rabbit and rubbermaid

ChokeOnSmoke · 09-15-04, 04:10 PM

Hey everyone this may be a really stupid question but would I be able to turn a rubbermaid into a house for a holland lop? If there is nowhere for them to get a hold of to chew? If one isn't big enough I could always attach another with a piece of pvc. I was just wondering as I have the oppertuniy to get one, they are so cute and I have many rubbermaids. I figured if anyone had tried housing a rabbit in a rubbermaid there is a good chance they frequent this website.

Thanks in advance

Terri · 09-15-04, 09:00 PM

After raising meat rabbits and show rabbits for several years, I do not think you could keep one in a rubbermaid. They will find a way to chew on it. Rabbits also like to dig and can very quickly dig a hole in the plastic. They get bored easy and are always looking for something to do.If a lid is not kept on it they will jump out and if a lid is kept on there will not be enough ventilation. If you want a healthy pet rabbit, break down and spend the cash on a proper cage. It will make for a much happier pet.

Shad0w · 09-15-04, 09:33 PM

Gotta agree with Terri

Minnow · 09-15-04, 10:31 PM

I've heard of ppl keeping rabbits as house pets. They can be easily litter box trained. Depends what you want it for I guess.
I used to raise rabbits. I had a wooden hutch for some of them. Some I kept in a shed with straw liberally spread on the floor. (also a bale for warmth). There are many options.
I agree that a rubbermaid would not work. But unless you try, who knows?
Carol

ChunkyMunky · 09-15-04, 10:41 PM

I've kept jumbo rats in rubbermaids with no problems, but i've never had a live rabbit so im not sure of their capabilities. With my rats I would throw in some shredded cardboard, they usualy will just chew on that and not the rubbermaid. This may or may not work with the rabbit so you can either try it out for a day, or go out and buy a decent cage. Take care.

Dan.

justinO · 09-16-04, 07:32 AM

If you are keeping it as a pet, it's not a good idea to keep it in a rubbermaid. As a temporary hold maybe, but no more than a few days.
It sucks, but the cages for them are sometimes expensive. Look for a used one in the paper and stuff.

Once you have it litter trained, you can always let it free roam in a bunny proofed area.

Please do not get a bunny if you plan on locking it in a rubbermaid it's whole life, that's actually pretty cruel.

Jessy

Linds · 09-17-04, 03:14 AM

I just had a mini rex as a pet, so it was smaller than most. However, they still need a decent amount of space to get their beans out. Mine lived half in her cage, half out, and was litter trained. I know several people who keep pet rabbits much like they do a cat - completely free roam. You do need to do a serious bunny-proofing if this is done, they will chew anything. LOL... as a I type this I think about the corner of wall I am missing and the lack of buttons on my remotes. Like Terri said, they chew, dig, and get bored quite easily, and those big teeth can accomplish a lot in a very short period of time. Rubbermaids simply would not cut it in both structure and size.

Artemis · 09-17-04, 04:21 AM

well, i am sure its possible to keep one in a rubbermaid, but I dont think it would like it very much, kinda stuffy and dark and lonely in there!

capsicum · 09-17-04, 10:44 PM

Do you have access to a dog crate? I have kept all of my rabbits in the Dogloo Large 350 crates. They are now kept out on the balcony, with wooden boards covering the base of the railing, and chicken wire covering the entirety of it (so they can't leap out of the spaces between the boards). They can play on the balcony and not get at any wires, and are safe from predators.

Ok, sorry for going off topic

TK

annieb_mice · 09-18-04, 09:46 AM

I've got several rabbits... some pets, some breeders... they all get out for about an hour or so every day for exercise and playtime. I have a bale of hay in the corner, so they usually race around the room for a bit, then all meet in the corner and happily munch on the hay.

I wouldn't keep rabbits in a rubbermaid. Even with lots of holes, they would VERY quickly overheat and it would get VERY humid in no time. Rabbits are great at keeping warm, and keeping them in a small area with almost no ventilation would be extremely cruel and uncomfortable. :P
Go out and spend the money to get a cage. If you can't afford it, then don't get a rabbit as a pet. There are always rabbit cages/hutches available in the buy and sell, and sometimes you can find them for free or VERY low cost. You could also check out your local farm auction. There is usually a LOT of cheap stuff there.
Anyways..... I hope you can find a good cage for your rabbit.... it would be MUCH happier.

Take care
Annie B. <:3 )~~

ChokeOnSmoke · 09-18-04, 10:01 AM

Thanks for your responses everyone. Don't worry I won't put a rabbit in a rubbermaid.

annieb_mice · 09-19-04, 08:49 PM

Good to hear, Andy! If you do decide to get a rabbit as a pet, I think you'll really enjoy it! They certainly have funny personalities! LOL!!
Take care
Annie B. <:3 )~~