How To Build an Indoor Bunny Cage A 3-level rabbit condo with open top and bottom

Mopsy's 9 simple steps to build a comfortable and roomy bunny condo

There are many different bunny cages on the market. Some are roomy with solid bottoms; others are tight with wire bottoms that can injure a rabbit's foot. Mopsy* prefers a high quality multi-level condo, like the ones made by Leith Petwerks, or a lovingly crafted home-built condo, which he'll show you how to make now.

Materials Needed

• 2 boxes of wire storage cubes (a typical condo requires 30 panels)
• 2 packs of 100 Cable Ties
• Plywood to make the levels (not shown in picture)
  • Width: 28" wide each to extend the entire width of the side wall
  • Length: Mopsy chose the lower level to be 13" long and the upper 24" long, but you can choose differently
• 4 wooden dowels (only two shown in picture)
  • Diameter: 1¹/₈"
  • Length: Depends on the layout; Mopsy's required two 46" and two 32" dowels
• 3 small spring clamps
• a bun

* Sadly, Mopsy is no longer with us, but his spirit, enthusiasm, and sound building advice live on.

Step 1: Make two large walls

Lay out the wall on the floor, making sure that the grid portions of all of them are the same side up. Secure with cable ties. Don't pull the cable ties fully tight just yet; leave a slight give to them (see photo below). You will tighten them later. Repeat to make the second wall.

Although Mopsy has no difficulty consuming a good novel—or lamp cord for that matter—like most rabbits, he has no interest in cable ties. To be safe, you can put a cable tie onto your rabbit's current dwelling place as a test. If it turns out to be scrumptious, try switching colors (try black) or use another kind of fastener.

Step 2: Make two side walls

Secure the grids together with cable ties as in step #1. Repeat to make the second side wall.

Step 3: Connect the four walls together

After you use the cable ties to connect the four walls together at each square grid, you will find that you can manipulate the cage to be various shapes, e.g. triangle, pentagon, etc. Decide on the shape that you want at this time. Mopsy chose a rectangle.

Step 4: Add dowels

Slip two dowels through the grids along the length of the cage. The dowels will prevent the bun's shelves from falling through. Where you put them depends on the shelf layout and door location. Mopsy contemplated a larger lower level and high door, but ended up settling on the layout shown in step 9.

Step 5: Add plywood for shelf

Place the plywood on top of the dowels. Bunny is optional at this stage.

Mopsy likes to hop between levels in the condo but doesn't care to go up, over a wall, and then back down all in one jump. Since your rabbit is likely similar, your condo won't need a top if you plan your floor and wall heights with surrounding furniture in mind.

Step 6: Tighten and clip cable tie strands

Step 7: Secure dowels to cage with cable ties

You're almost done. If you want, take a moment to relax with a snack. Mopsy recommends the handle of a wicker basket.

Step 8: Clip off cable ties around the door opening

Use the small spring to clasp the door shut. It's okay. Mopsy and Julius get along.

Step 9: Furnish the condo

For better traction, Mopsy likes cushioned-surface solid non-adhesive shelf liner. His paws like the softness, and the room-service crew likes the water resistance. Carpet works, too, but only on levels that tend to stay clean.

Congratulations! You will have a happy rabbit in a spacious, homemade condo for under $60! Remember to give your bunny plenty of exercise outside his cage in a rabbit-proof room. Mopsy says he loves to do binkies (happy jumps) in the living room.