The answer to whether you should cover your rabbit’s cage at night is more complex than a simple yes or no.
While it’s understandable that rabbit owners might want to reduce stimuli to calm their rabbit down at night, it’s not always advisable. There are occasions when it’s appropriate to cover your rabbit’s cage, but you shouldn’t do it all the time.
Rabbits are social animals and like interacting with other rabbits. They’re also crepuscular creatures and need between 8 to 11 hours of sleep. That means they’re in a playful mood during the night, much to the chagrin of their owners. Rabbits also like being able to see what’s around them. This means you’ll have a wide-awake, curious rabbit in the night.
There are a few reasons why it might not be ideal to cover your rabbit’s cage at night:
- Rabbits don’t have night vision (not being able to see can make them anxious).
- Your rabbit may become bored (with nothing to look at).
- They’ll be be unable to sense potential danger (an intrinsic survival technique that wild rabbits rely on. They can become anxious).
- Ventilation will be limited (your rabbit can get too hot, especially in the summer).
These are a few instances where it’s appropriate to cover your rabbit’s cage with a blanket:
- If your rabbit is outdoors and needs added protection (a cover can insulate them and create an extra barrier between predators).
- When they’re ready for sleep, but not for the whole night (to help them nap by creating a temporary dark, cozy nest for them).
- When you’re ready for sleep too (this means they won’t be missing out on any socializing from you).
- After they’re calm and ready to wind down (if they’re relaxed, a cover makes the cage a little cozier).
Before deciding when it may be appropriate to cover your rabbit’s cage, you should understand why. To do so, you must have the facts on how rabbit sleep works, what your rabbit’s needs are, and what their behavior is like.
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