A rabbit hutch, simply put, is a pen or cage wherein a rabbit or rabbits are kept. To the pet rabbit, a hutch is his home; it is where he feels safe, protected from the dangers lurking outside which may befall him.
Beyond providing shelter, however, rabbit hutches offer protection for the rabbits, and, perhaps surprisingly to the uninitiated in rabbit behaviour, from the rabbits themselves. Rabbits are natural prey for a variety of animals, ranging from cats, dogs, and rats to foxes and birds of prey. Thus, it is very important that they are provided a strong cage that can protect them from such predators when you are not around to look after them. At the same time, a hutch will keep your pet rabbit from wandering freely in your home and chewing on things. Rabbits will gnaw on anything if they are not carefully watched, and besides the risk of you losing a valuable piece of item, there is also the risk that the rabbit will chew on something toxic or poisonous.
Rabbits can live for many years, thus it is important to provide them the best quality hutch to suit their needs. Rabbit hutches can come in five different types: basic solitary, elevated single, double-decker, triple decker, and the ‘deluxe’ rabbit hutch with run. Basic solitary hutches are simple one-story wooden pens that are typically 24 to 30 inches wide and 36 inches long. It features and opening roof or a door. Elevated single rabbit hutches, meanwhile, are similar to the basic solitary, but are elevated on stilts a few feet from the earth (average of 4 feet). The elevation makes clean-up more convenient for the pet owner and provides added protection from predators. If you live in a place where space is an issue, any of the two hutches described above can be a good option for you.
Double-decker rabbit hutches are two-story pens where a pair of rabbits can be housed on top of each other. As many people choose to have more than one rabbit, this is a very popular, space-saving choice. Triple-decker hutches, by its very name, are three-story cages where three rabbits can be housed on top of one another. Again, this is the most cost-effective housing option for those who have multiple rabbits. Just like humans, animals such as rabbits also require their own personal space.
Finally, ‘deluxe’ rabbit hutches with run are basically double-decker cages that have the living space of the rabbit on top, and a trap door that allows it entry to the run below. Your rabbit will therefore have the best of two worlds—a place to sleep and a place to play. The top and bottom decks are connected by a ramp that the rabbit can use to move to and fro the two levels. Rabbits require daily exercise, and for those with limited yard space but still want to provide their pets with the physical stimulation to prevent frustration from their pets, this deluxe hutch is the ideal type.