14/12/2023
Why we use wire flooring for rabbits. Note: 1/2"x1" welded wire flooring is NOT hardware cloth. The wires of hardware cloth are thin and cut the rabbit's feet so it is not recommended.
Wire-Bottom Flooring for Rabbits… the biggest misunderstanding in the rabbit housing world. It is a common myth spread by some animal rights activists that rabbit breeders house their rabbits on wire flooring because we are “too cheap” to provide proper housing, or “too lazy” to clean up after our animals. This could not be further from the truth. Let’s talk about it!
Proper gauge (14-16 GA) wire bottom flooring keeps rabbits clean and out of their messes at all times, which helps to prevent parasitic infestations and bacterial infections.
“So why don’t you use a litter box?”
With a litter box, your rabbit is still standing on its poop/p*e several times a day unless you literally clean it every single time they p*e, which is unrealistic. F***l matter, even a tiny amount, getting cleaned off rabbits’ feet can be ingested and cause coccidiosis, either intestinal or hepatic, which can wreak havoc on a rabbits’ system, particularly in younger rabbits still developing. Getting urine on feet can cause urine scald, thin the fur out on the feet, cause bacterial infection, and ultimately lead to sore hocks. Wire keeps them clean and dry 100% of the time. This is highly important, especially with babies, as they can easily pick up coccidiosis from a dirty environment.
“Rabbits don’t have paw pads so wire is uncomfortable for them.”
You are right - rabbits do not have paw pads like cats and dogs, they have plush fur in the bottom of their feet, which cushions them even more. 14-16 gauge wire is is not uncomfortable or cruel in the slightest. We all care about the well-being of our animals and love to watch them binky and run. They are able to do so easily on wire flooring - it doesn’t hinder them at all. Part of the fun in raising rabbits, for whatever purpose, is to watch them grow and be happy.
Wire flooring is safe. There is no chance that a rabbit will ingest it and get intestinal blockage. The same can’t be said for carpeting and blankets. Rabbits can easily ingest fabric and strings, which is not digestible - ultimately this is extremely dangerous and can cause a blockage, resulting in death. Even with emergency care, a rabbit’s GI system has a very difficult time recovering from stasis and they do not handle anesthetics well. It is not a risk I’m willing to take for my prized show rabbits and potential growouts.
My experience? The worst case of sore hocks I’ve ever seen came from a rabbit that had carpeting in its cage. When the carpet was removed and it was given proper gauge wire bottom flooring, it was able to grow its fur back on its feet and make a full recovery.
Don’t believe all the myths that you are told about rabbits. Some of us have been around the block and know a thing or two, and one of those things is - wire bottom flooring is superior.
