Edit: We have just had our first snow here early. It's supposed to warm back up but this came out of nowhere so I can't be sure. So now I need advice urgently! Junebug is ok until I can winter proof her cage.
Hi everyone! So this winter will be my first winter owning a bunny. I have lots of questions about different things so I thought I would make a list and hope someone will be able to answer them.
• So my first question is about getting Junebugs cage ready for winter. She currently lives in an extra large dog crate with a second level. It isn't attached to anything but it is made for very large dogs. I don't have the measurements but it isn't like the ones sold in pet stores and is very large. Her cage is in our storage garage, so she's protected from the wind and snow but the garage can get very cold in the winter because there is no insulation or heat or anything. Where I live it can get very cold in the winter. (I'm in the U.S.) My idea was to get that silver bubble wrap insulation. I would either put sheets of cardboard or thin wood sheets on the outside of the cage so she can't chew the insulation. Then I would put a layer of newspaper on the bottom of her cage, then straw, then hay. She also has a fleece blanket that she lays on. Would this keep her warm enough, even if it gets to -25 degrees? Any other ideas on keeping her warm? I thought I should also mention that she tends to chew fleece. Anything soft she will chew. Her blanket is the only exception, for some reason she doesn't chew it.
• My next question is about bedding and litter in general not just in winter. She can't have any kind of fleece or mats or blankets because she chews them. She doesn't just chew it though she eats it. So right now she just lives on wood boards and has paper bedding for litter and her blanket in her bed area. Is there a better litter that is inexpensive and safe for her to eat (she nibbles her litter often) ? Is there a bedding that will be more comfortable for her but something safe for her to chew and possibly eat? Is straw safe if she eats it?
• My next question is about entertainment. During the day my whole family is either at school or work and she gets bored. I can't get her a friend as she has a social issue with other bunnies. She is a year and a half old. She was a runt and grew up with aggressive bunnies. Because she was at a seasonal farm with a "bunny exhibit" that showed bunnies in their natural habitat, she was often in the burrow and the problem was not noticed for a while and she now views other bunnies as predators. She isn't really that entertained by store bought things and because of where she grew up she likes more natural types of things. Any ideas? I thought about a digging box or a sand pit but how would I do this and since she chews and eats everything what would be safe to put in the dig box?
• My final question is about attaching her playpen to her cage. She has a playpen made from baby gates. How would I attach this to the dog crate and it be escape proof? Any ideas?
Hi everyone! So this winter will be my first winter owning a bunny. I have lots of questions about different things so I thought I would make a list and hope someone will be able to answer them.
• So my first question is about getting Junebugs cage ready for winter. She currently lives in an extra large dog crate with a second level. It isn't attached to anything but it is made for very large dogs. I don't have the measurements but it isn't like the ones sold in pet stores and is very large. Her cage is in our storage garage, so she's protected from the wind and snow but the garage can get very cold in the winter because there is no insulation or heat or anything. Where I live it can get very cold in the winter. (I'm in the U.S.) My idea was to get that silver bubble wrap insulation. I would either put sheets of cardboard or thin wood sheets on the outside of the cage so she can't chew the insulation. Then I would put a layer of newspaper on the bottom of her cage, then straw, then hay. She also has a fleece blanket that she lays on. Would this keep her warm enough, even if it gets to -25 degrees? Any other ideas on keeping her warm? I thought I should also mention that she tends to chew fleece. Anything soft she will chew. Her blanket is the only exception, for some reason she doesn't chew it.
• My next question is about bedding and litter in general not just in winter. She can't have any kind of fleece or mats or blankets because she chews them. She doesn't just chew it though she eats it. So right now she just lives on wood boards and has paper bedding for litter and her blanket in her bed area. Is there a better litter that is inexpensive and safe for her to eat (she nibbles her litter often) ? Is there a bedding that will be more comfortable for her but something safe for her to chew and possibly eat? Is straw safe if she eats it?
• My next question is about entertainment. During the day my whole family is either at school or work and she gets bored. I can't get her a friend as she has a social issue with other bunnies. She is a year and a half old. She was a runt and grew up with aggressive bunnies. Because she was at a seasonal farm with a "bunny exhibit" that showed bunnies in their natural habitat, she was often in the burrow and the problem was not noticed for a while and she now views other bunnies as predators. She isn't really that entertained by store bought things and because of where she grew up she likes more natural types of things. Any ideas? I thought about a digging box or a sand pit but how would I do this and since she chews and eats everything what would be safe to put in the dig box?
• My final question is about attaching her playpen to her cage. She has a playpen made from baby gates. How would I attach this to the dog crate and it be escape proof? Any ideas?
Last edited:
