How Often Should You Clean a Rabbit’s Cage?

by Angela Vuckovic

Published: April 29th, 2025

Kristina Savelieva/Shutterstock

Caring for a pet rabbit goes far beyond feeding and cuddles. One of the most important - and sometimes overlooked - aspects of rabbit care is keeping their living space clean. A dirty cage can lead to serious health issues, bad odors, and a stressed-out bunny. So how often should you clean your rabbit’s cage to keep things fresh and safe?

Let’s break it down.

how often should you clean a rabbits cage

Daily Cleaning Tasks

Quick, consistent cleaning goes a long way toward keeping your rabbit healthy

Every day, take a few minutes to:

Empty the litter box - Rabbits tend to use one corner of their space as a toilet, and if your rabbit is litter trained, this is even easier to manage. Cleaning daily keeps odors down and helps prevent flystrike, a serious condition caused by flies laying eggs in dirty fur or bedding.

Remove soiled bedding - Damp spots and messes should be cleared right away to avoid bacteria buildup.

Replace uneaten food - Especially fresh vegetables or pellets that have gone soggy.

Refill hay and fresh water - Rabbits need constant access to clean hay and water, and hay can get dirty quickly.

Spot clean the area - Wipe down messy corners around food, water, or litter areas.

Daily maintenance doesn’t take long, but it makes a big difference in your rabbit’s comfort and overall hygiene.

Weekly Deep Cleaning

Once a week, set aside time for a full reset of your rabbit’s cage.

This involves:

Removing everything from the cage - including your bunny.

Scrubbing the base of the cage, litter box, and food/water containers with a pet-safe disinfectant or a vinegar and water solution.

Rinsing everything thoroughly and letting it dry before setting the cage back up.

Replacing all bedding or litter with fresh materials.

Cleaning toys and checking for damage, chewed parts, or sharp edges.

This weekly clean prevents harmful bacteria buildup and keeps your rabbit’s home a safe and enjoyable place.

Monthly Maintenance

A once-a-month “deep dive” helps catch anything you might have missed.

Here’s what to include:

Wash any fabric items, such as soft beds, fleece pads, or tunnels.

Check for mold, hidden messes, or buildup in corners and crevices.

Inspect water bottles, bowls, and litter trays for cracks, leaks, or grime.

Rearrange toys or enrichments to keep your rabbit mentally engaged.

You can also use this time to reflect on your routine and see if anything needs adjusting based on your rabbit’s habits.

Other Factors That Affect Cleaning Frequency

Not all setups are the same. Here’s what might influence how often you need to clean:

Cage size: Smaller enclosures get dirty faster and may need more frequent spot cleaning.

Number of rabbits: More bunnies = more mess.

Litter training: A litter-trained rabbit is generally easier to clean up after.

Indoor vs. outdoor housing: Outdoor hutches may require different cleaning considerations (like weatherproofing and pest control).

Final Thoughts

A clean environment is essential for your rabbit’s health and happiness. By following a simple daily, weekly, and monthly cleaning schedule, you’ll help prevent illness, reduce odor, and keep your bunny feeling safe and comfortable.

A few minutes each day adds up to a much healthier life for your rabbit - and a better experience for you as their owner, too.

Angela Vuckovic

A proud mama to seven dogs and ten cats, Angela spends her days writing for her fellow pet parents and pampering her furballs, all of whom are rescues. When she's not gushing over her adorable cats or playing with her dogs, she can be found curled up with a good fantasy book.

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Any training and obedience is tackled with this lack of sight in mind, meaning they don’t have to relearn their basic commands or how to communicate with their people. Instead, they learn to follow clear verbal cues confidently. Like all dogs, they benefit from a steady and predictable routine. The confidence of an “always blind” dog largely stems from never knowing anything different, learning how to adjust to their environment early, and relying on consistent routines. The “Losing Vision” DogVision loss later in life can be more challenging to navigate, both for the dog and the dog parent. The reason is that your dog will now have to transition to a new normal, making many changes to the routine they are used to. Vision loss can impact some of the most basic aspects of a dog’s daily life. Vision loss can be gradual, due to conditions such as Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) or cataracts, or sudden, as in some cases of glaucoma or Sudden Acquired Retinal Degeneration Syndrome (SARDS). This transition can cause confusion, anxiety, fear, or even signs of depression as your dog’s world begins to change. They may bump into familiar objects, become hesitant to move, or seem disoriented in the home where they were once comfortable. You will need to offer your dog patience and reassurance as you slowly introduce new ways of navigating their day-to-day life. This includes adjustments to your routine, as well as to your home, to accommodate your dog’s changing needs. They will need your support as they grieve the loss of their sight and develop new coping mechanisms. Your veterinarian is also an essential part of this journey. 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Explain the importance of this consistency to all family members. Ensuring everyone is on the same page will help prevent miscommunications and unnecessary challenges. If you need to move something, create a plan to transition your dog safely and smoothly. Temporarily guide your dog around the new placement until they have remapped the space and can confidently navigate the new layout on their own. For significant changes, consider temporarily restricting your dog’s access to a smaller, familiar area and gradually expanding their access as they become familiar with the space. Navigating StairsStairs are one of the most significant safety risks for blind dogs. Falling down a flight of stairs can cause a serious injury. But unlike their sighted counterparts, they can’t see where that first step begins. Luckily, there are ways to limit your dog’s access and keep them safe. Installing a sturdy, securely mounted safety gate at the top and bottom of all staircases ensures they will only navigate that challenge when you’re by their side to help. Pay careful attention to the details of the gates you are considering. You need to choose one that’s tall enough that your dog can’t jump over and strong enough to hold up to their weight, even if they lean against them. If you have elevated areas within your home (such as a bed or couch) that your dog needs to navigate, or outdoor steps that cannot be avoided, a ramp can be a game changer. You can build large ramps for bigger outdoor staircases or purchase a reliable ramp designed for use with furniture. Introduce ramps slowly and with positive reinforcement, helping your dog learn how to carefully move up and down them without slipping off the side. If they are struggling, consider installing a rail to guide their movement.

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Heading out on the trails for a hike is a great way to spend the day, and it can be even more enjoyable with your canine companion at your side. Whether you plan on hiking up a mountain, trekking to a waterfall, or just spending time in a peaceful forest, there are so many beautiful places to explore with your pooch. Before you start your adventure, though, make sure you have the right hiking gear for your dog.

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