Clean a Rabbit Hutch


Rabbits are relatively clean animals, but they still need to have their hutches cleaned on a regular basis. Do a quick clean of the hutch every day to remove old food and soiled bedding. The hutch should be completely cleaned and disinfected on a weekly basis. Then your bunny will live happily in a clean and safe place.

Steps

Cleaning the Hutch Daily

  1. Do a quick clean of the hutch every day. Rabbit hutches should be cleaned every day to ensure that your rabbit lives in a clean and sanitary environment. Soiled bedding material and old food can easily create an unclean hutch. Plan to take a few minutes every day to tidy up your hutch.
  2. Take your rabbit out. Place your rabbit in a temporary holding pen, rabbit run, or another place where she’ll be safe while you clean the hutch. Be sure to give her some food and water, along with a couple of toys.
  3. Remove materials from the hutch. Take out old and unwanted food. Remove soiled litter, hay, and fur from the hutch.
    • Wear gloves as you remove these materials. Place them in a garbage bag for disposal.
  4. Leave one small corner alone. Rabbits mark their territory with scents. They can become stressed if they are reintroduced to a hutch that does not have any familiar scent. When you empty out the hutch, leave one small area untouched.[1]
    • The next time you clean the hutch, leave a different area alone. Make sure to clean the area that you skipped this time.
  5. Assess your rabbit’s health. As you empty the hutch, use this opportunity to check your rabbit’s health by observing how much food and water is being consumed. Is your rabbit eating a good amount of food and drinking a good amount of water?[2]
    • Also check the droppings that your rabbit has left. Are the feces and urine normal in appearance?
  6. Check the condition of the cage. Inspect the cage for damage, holes, and other problems that might compromise the safety of your rabbit.[2]
    • Throw out any toys that are damaged or frayed.
  7. Clean out the drop tray. Many wire cages have a tray underneath that catches droppings. Dump out all material that has collected in this tray.
  8. Replace soiled bedding material. When you’ve finished cleaning out the hutch, replace the materials that line the bottom of the cage. Make sure there is enough material to cover the entire bottom of the hutch.
  9. Put your rabbit back into the cage. Allow your rabbit back into the hutch. Be sure to close the hutch door securely.

Cleaning and Disinfecting the Hutch Weekly

  1. Gather your supplies. As you prepare to clean and disinfect your rabbit’s hutch, make sure to have all your supplies on hand. You will need ready access to the following items:
    • Bucket
    • Stiff brush
    • Smaller brush or toothbrush for hard-to-reach spots
    • Vinegar spray
    • Gentle dish soap
    • Garbage bag
    • Gloves
  2. Plan on cleaning and disinfecting the hutch every week. Rabbit hutches should be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected at least once a week. The cage floor will get soiled quickly. This can pose a health risk to your rabbit if you don’t keep it tidy and disinfected.[3]
  3. Take your rabbit out. Place your rabbit in a temporary holding pen, rabbit run, or another place where she’ll be safe while you clean the hutch. Be sure to give her some food and water, along with a couple of toys.
  4. Remove materials from the hutch. Take out old and unwanted food. Remove soiled litter, hay, and fur from the hutch.
    • Wear gloves as you remove these materials. Place them in a garbage bag for disposal.
  5. Leave one small corner alone. Rabbits mark their territory with scents. They can become stressed if they are reintroduced to a hutch that does not have any familiar scent. When you empty out the hutch, leave one small area untouched.[1]
    • The next time you clean the hutch, leave a different area alone. Make sure to clean the area that you skipped this time.
  6. Use a stiff-bristled brush to scrub the hutch. Use warm water and gentle dish soap to scrub the hutch.
    • Use a smaller brush or a toothbrush to reach corners and other hard-to-reach spots in the hutch.
    • You can also use a pressure washer if your hutch is a steel cage. If the hutch is permanently attached to a surface, make sure the attachments are secure before turning on the pressure washer.[4] It may work better to take the hutch down and place it on a gravel or concrete area to pressure wash it.
    • Some people use a propane torch on steel cages. [3] This will burn away any residue from the cage. Be sure to proceed carefully if you use this method. Use oven mitts or other heavy-duty gloves, as well as goggles, when cleaning a hutch this way. Don’t use a torch if any part of the cage is wooden.
  7. Scrub the drop tray. If your hutch has a drop tray, be sure to scrub this with a brush. Use hot water and a gentle dish soap.
  8. Don’t use chemicals to disinfect the hutch. Stay away from Lysol and other disinfecting chemicals. These can leave residues in the hutch that are harmful to your rabbit.[3]
  9. Choose a white vinegar solution for disinfecting. Vinegar is a natural disinfectant,[5] and is not harmful to people or animals. Mix up a solution of 1 part white vinegar to 1 part warm water. Put it in a clean spray bottle. Spray vinegar directly on the hutch to disinfect it.[3]
    • You can also use bleach. Be sure to use 1 part bleach to 5 parts water. Use this mixture in a well-ventilated area. Use gloves when cleaning with bleach.
    • Some rabbit breeders use Vanodine, which is an iodine-based disinfectant. The antiseptic betadine mixed with hydrogen peroxide is another option.[3]
  10. Spray vinegar disinfectant on the hutch. Use a liberal amount of disinfectant so that the hutch is completely saturated in the liquid. Let it stand for 10 minutes.[2]
  11. Rinse the hutch thoroughly. Use clean, cool water to rinse the hutch so that there is no residue. If there is any wood material in the hutch, it’s especially important to rinse thoroughly, since wood is porous and can absorb cleaner more readily.[2]
    • Although vinegar residue is not harmful, bleach solution residue is. It’s imperative that you rinse off bleach residue completely.
  12. Let the hutch dry in the sunlight. Sunlight will dry the hutch more quickly. It is also especially important if you use bleach to clean the hutch. The sunlight will break down any bleach residue that was left after rinsing.[4]
    • Make sure the hutch is completely dry before putting things back together and reintroducing your bunny to the hutch.
  13. Clean the food and water dishes. The feeding bowls and water bottles be cleaned and sanitized at least once a week. Scrub them with soap and hot water.[3] Disinfect by spraying them with vinegar.
    • Use a bottle brush to clean out water bottles. Some people also put these dishes in the dishwasher.
  14. Clean the bedding. If you use bedding such as towels or blankets, be sure to wash these every week as well.
  15. Spread out fresh bedding material. Once the hutch is fully dry, you’re ready to reassemble the living space for your rabbit. Spread fresh bedding material across the entire floor of the hutch.
    • Make sure to place the rabbit’s littering area in the area to which she has become accustomed.[6]
  16. Place all accessories back in the hutch. Place the bunny’s food dish, water dish or bottle, and toys back into the hutch.
  17. Reintroduce your rabbit to the hutch. Once the hutch is completely ready for your rabbit, put her back in the hutch.

Cleaning Up

  1. Dispose of waste material. Keep all waste from the rabbit cage in a garbage bag. Tie it up tightly and throw it away.
  2. Sanitize all cleaning supplies. Be sure to clean and disinfect all supplies used to clean the hutch, including the bucket, brushes and gloves.
    • Let these items dry thoroughly.
  3. Wash your hands with soap and warm water. Decrease the possibility of spreading germs by washing your hands thoroughly when you’ve finished cleaning the cage.

Warnings

  • If your rabbit is or has been ill, you should thoroughly clean and disinfect the hutch.
  • Do not use bathroom or kitchen sinks for your hutch cleaning routines to avoid cross-contamination.[2]

Related Articles

Sources and Citations

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 http://www.rabbitawarenessweek.co.uk/health/rabbit-care-considerations/#sthash.kEqZXan8.dpuf
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=18+1798&aid=3579
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 http://rabbitbreeders.us/cleaning-rabbit-cages
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 http://www.thenaturetrail.com/rabbit-equipment/cleaning-and-disinfecting-rabbit-cages-and-equipment/
  5. ↑ http://www.abc.net.au/health/talkinghealth/factbuster/stories/2012/02/02/3407024.htm
  6. ↑ http://www.justrabbits.com/rabbit-bedding.html#gs.d30eaf52219f41e3a0bdb033f6a67969

 

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