How Often Should Litterbox Be Cleaned Out?

[Bunman]

They don't get sore hocks from the wire, Emily?

 

[m.e.]

Well, they havegrass mats and a couple foot pads, but no, they've never had a problemwith sore hocks. Most of the breeders I know, and many pet owners, keeptheir rabbits on wire floors, and they rarely have problems with sorehocks. It's not something that is solely caused by wire flooring.

Unfortunately, wire flooring gets a bad rap. I use it because while myrabbits have impeccable manners outside their cage, inside theytreat it like one giant litterbox. They're seniors and pretty set intheir habits. Because of that, wire flooring is much cleaner, much moresanitary, and much healthier for them.

They do get to spend time outside the cage, so it's not like they're in contact with wire 24/7 either.


~Emily and the Fuzzbutts~

 

[Bunman]

OK.

My first rabbit, who weighed 7 lbs, did develop sore hocks so i put ina partial wood floor. Little Bear was smaller & he did not havea problem. My current 2 have wood floors but even tho they do most oftheir business in their toilets, there are always the territorial poopsto clean up.

I would like to see a poll here as to what type of flooring people use in their cages.

In my experience the buns always prefer wire floors given the choice - maybe because they grew up with them?

 

[m.e.]

Actually, that'san interesting observation. I know that Buck posted a study awhileback, in which the rabbits were given a choice between wire flooringand soft litter (i.e. shavings). The rabbits seemed to give greaterpreference to the wire flooring.

Like I said, for us it's a sanitation issue. But in the summer, when itgets really hot, the rabbits definitely prefer to lay across the wireand keep their bellies cool

I'll see if I can pull that post up...

~Emily and the Fuzzbutts~

 

[peapoo_bunny]

mine has wire floor

 

[Bunman]

Emily, what are the other factors that go intocausing sore hocks? Weight of the bun is one of course. Also how muchtime they spend in the cage.

 

[m.e.]

Well, here's a couple articles that might be of interest:

http://www.houserabbit.co.uk/rwf/articles/sorehocks.htm

http://www.rabbitnetwork.org/articles/sorehocks.shtml

There's strong evidence to suggest sore hocks are genetic, and rabbits with chronic sore hock problems should not be bred.

 

[Bunman]

Hmm, i see. Of course both articles also discuss conditions that can cause it; genetic factors could increase the risk.

 

[ilovetegocalderon]