There are a few different components to Frank’s territory. Thinking of his territory in terms of components helps in rearranging it as needed (as we rearrange our rooms, for instance, or move to a new apartment, or move him to our bedroom for the night to accommodate a guest). It also helps to keep certain principles in mind, such as maximizing his environment to provide for adequate mental and physical security, comfort, and stimulation.
Frank’s crate is his home base. It contains his litter box, a blanket (really, one of many hand towels on top of a bath towel), and (once upon a time, and soon again) a water bottle. The crate was given me by my father-in-law, who’s large dog had outgrown it (the dimensions are 36’w x 26’h x 24’d). It has two entrances, which they say is good for a rabbit’s mental well-being; it has a solid floor, which is good for a rabbit’s physical being (grated flooring can result in sore hocks, broken nails, and if the grating is wide enough, broken feet); it is large enough to hold a litter box and to allow Frank to stand fully erect and stretch out to his full length; and it comes apart and folds up for easy cleaning and easy transportation.
Frank’s litter box is jumbo-sized. It came with a lid, and a step at the front entrance. I cut a second, larger entrance into the side, and this is the entrance he uses. The front of the box comes close enough to the front of the crate that there isn’t really enough room for Frank to use the original entrance, but I believe that he enjoys having it there, as it allows him to see out the front when he’s sitting in the box, and it provides him with the sense of security that multiple exits apparently provides to rabbits. I use the step as a tray for hay, which is ultra useful because the hay dust falls beneath the tray and can be easily collected when I scoop his litter every morning.
Above Frank’s crate we keep his travel case and several baskets stocked with supplies: bags of hay and litter material (CareFresh), a litter scoop, spraybottles of vinegar and stain-remover for accidents, clean blankets, a handbroom and dustpan, a laundry bag for his soiled blankets, hand sanitizer (although hand washing is preferable, but not always convenient at the time), and first aid, emergency, and grooming supplies, which I’ll discuss in more detail at a later date.
Frank’s crate is hidden behind a large wicker screen, which serves aesthetic purposes for us as well as providing mental security for Frank.One exit leads through a small tunnel to the other side of the screen and into the room. Sometimes Frank runs through the tunnel, and sometimes he jumps over it. Tunnels are fun for rabbits and fall under the “stimulation” category. The screen and the tunnel have long been a part of Frank’s territory, although not always in the present arrangement (which, I’ll brag, is the best arrangement so far). A second exit leads to another blanket and Frank’s feeding area, where his juice-water dish (1:6, pure apple juice to water, to promote hydration) is kept and a plate of hay, which is partially hidden by the screen. (Beside this area is our buffet, and sometimes his dishes make their way underneath it, as illustrated in the picture at right.) Frank uses both exits regularly. He often sleeps on the blanket in his crate and outside his crate, by his food dishes.
If Frank’s room wasn’t also our livingroom, I think we’d have to consciously include additional furnishings to provide for his stimulation and general well being; however, the way things are, much of our furniture provides a dual-use for us and for him. Our bar cart, sofa, chairs, and buffet are all things he can and does run under, over, behind, or through; smell and rub up against; sleep on or underneath, etc.When we are hosting an overnight guest, we bring Frank’s litter box, blankets, water and hay dishes, stuffed bear Benjamin (featured in “The Buck”), and a basket of supplies, and arrange them in a corner of our bedroom.
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