Why bunnies don't belong in cages

by Shannon Hopkins
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People, in my opinion, have a misunderstanding about how to care for pet rabbits. Some people keep them in a small cage with no room to run or play, and some even put them on wire bottom flooring, but the problem with that is they can get hock sores because they have no pads on their paws. And those hock sores can cause bone infection and even death. And Some even leave them out in the open with no top on their cage, so they feel very vulnerable. The idea of rabbits being an outside animal with a cage With no top or just a cage outside is just nonsense. The reason why is because they are prey, so when they are outside, the bunnies are fearful and vulnerable, so they are constantly afraid of getting hurt. Also, when outside rabbits, can eat the grass, and when they do that, they can get the disease called worms from little eggs in the grass beds. So please, if you get a rabbit, do not confine your rabbits to a small cage outside or even; inside your house; bunnies require space to binky and hop around, allowing them; to freely roam. Your room or even house is the best option.
Yes, I do realize it is a pretty big commitment, but it is not a choice when you get a rabbit or have one for that matter because putting a bunny in a cage is arguably one of the cruelest things you can do to your bunny. Because, if you think about it, we don't put cats or dogs in cages because that's terrible, right, so we as humans should realize that rabbits need enough room to run and play as dogs and cats do. 
Another thing to keep in mind while looking into getting a rabbit is when you are looking at stuff online to see how you can take care of them, they will, usually that a cup of hay is enough for them or a cage is okay to keep your rabbit in, or you don't need to neuter them, but that is all false because they can say that a bale of timothy hay or any hay for that matter will last a year, but in reality, it should only last, about 2-3 months because rabbits and bunnies require it all of the time. After all, it makes up 90% of their diets, and the reason is that they can go into GI stasis without it. And potentially die because of it. And there's the small cage. I've already stated that those are far too small, and they can become severely depressed if kept in such horrible conditions. And the main reason they need to be neutered. This is because, when you start litter box training them it is so important to do so. After all, otherwise, they will mark their territory everywhere, and then it will be horrible to litter box train them. They will just want to go everywhere that doesn't smell like them and after that, they will go to those spots because it will smell like they know.
Those pellets you feed rabbits should be Timothy hay pellets; or alfalfa hay pellets if they are under seven months old. You need to feed them ¼ cup of pellets every day and a cup of vegetables for every pound they weigh, unless they are under five months old, in which case, they should not be given a lot of vegetables. And yes, I do know that people will give their rabbits way too much of the pellets and that ¼ cup does not seem that much, but the problem with feeding them too many pellets is that they can become obese, which is not good and cause several medical issues for your rabbit.  But fruits, on the other hand, should only be offered as a treat now and then. But baby bunnies that are not older than 5 months shouldn't have fruits at all.
And for your rabbit, when you hopefully start realizing cages aren't good and start to free roam them. You'll need a hiddyhouse with two escape ways for your hiddyhouse because wild rabbits have two escape routes for the holes they dig just in case predators get in it. And that way it will make them feel safer, and toys are essential to keep them from becoming bored and chewing up your belongings. Finally, make sure you get two girls or a girl and a boy when you get your rabbits, but make sure they are neutered because two guys can be quite territorial and hurt each other. And in conclusion, please just if you read this and are thinking of getting a rabbit, just think, do rabbits belong in cages?