Urine proof floor protection in rabbit hutch

If you let your rabbits run free in an apartment enclosure, you should not only protect the animals, but also the building fabric of the apartment. This refers especially to the floor. If this consists of laminate, for example, and the rabbits urinate on it, the material may be damaged. Floor protection is necessary.

Especially in a rented apartment this can become a big nuisance, at the latest when you have to confess the event to your landlord.

In this article, we would therefore like to recommend various materials that are suitable as urine-proof floor protection.
What should I look for when choosing urine-proof floor protection?

The urine-proof floor protection should enable two main aspects:
Aspect 1: A high level of safety for the rabbits.

It is important that you choose a material that is well tolerated by the rabbits. All edges and cut edges, for example, should be provided with strips or rails so that the rabbits can not nibble on the material, because this could harm their health.

In addition, the flooring should not be too slippery, if possible, because if the rabbits slip, they can injure themselves.

In addition to the urine-proof floor protection, you should also use elements that provide warmth to the rabbit. Urine-proof floors are usually cool, which in winter can not only be uncomfortable, but also cause colds. So in individual areas, for example, put carpet over the urine-proof protection.

Aspect 2: Optimal protection for the floor.

Urine-proof floor protection should be made of a high-quality material that prevents urine from passing through and soaking into the original floor.

For example, linoleum, PVC, but also the pond liner are suitable.

What are the options for urine-proof floor protection?

Tiles for the apartment enclosure

If the area where you want to build the apartment enclosure is equipped with tiles, we can congratulate you. The coating of the tiles prevents the urine from penetrating. Consequently, this can not harm the tiles, and in principle, you do not have to do anything. On top of that, the tiles are very easy to clean, so good hygiene can always be guaranteed.

However, we recommend that you pay attention to two things when using tiles:

If the tiles are too slippery, you may want to lay another flooring material over them to prevent the animals from injuring themselves by slipping.
Additionally, line some areas with a cozy and warm material to prevent the bunnies from catching cold.

However, if your apartment is not equipped with tiles, laying them is usually not worth it, because it is comparatively expensive. Tiles cost much more than PVC flooring, for example, and laying them is also difficult, especially if you have never done it before. It is true that you could hire a professional. But this would be associated with further costs.

In addition, you are not allowed to lay tiles in a rented apartment without further ado, so you definitely have to get this approved by the landlord beforehand, and in writing.

Advantages and disadvantages of tiles as urine-proof flooring for the apartment enclosure:

Advantages

Urine can not penetrate
Tiles are easy to clean and provide good hygiene

disadvantages

If necessary, a non-slip floor covering must be laid over it
Some areas should be provided with a warming substrate
Tiles are expensive and may need to be installed by a professional, which will incur additional costs
You will need written permission from the landlord

Oilcloth tablecloths for the housing enclosure.

Oilcloth tablecloths prevent urine from penetrating into the substrate. They can be cleaned without any problems. However, since they are quite small, they are also suitable only for small apartment enclosures.

Our tip
Tension the oilcloth when laying it out or tape it down with carpet tape. Otherwise, it may slip.

Their advantage is, on the one hand, the low price and, on the other hand, the fact that they can be easily renewed. In addition, they are easy to install. If you choose this option, choose a roughened model, so that the bunnies do not slip away when walking.

Oilcloth tablecloths should also be used only when corners and edges can be “hidden” from the rabbits. Otherwise, they would chew the material.

Advantages and disadvantages of oilcloth blankets as urine-proof flooring for the apartment enclosure:

Advantages

• Urine can not penetrate
• Also available in roughened versions, so that the rabbit can not slip away
• Comparatively inexpensive
• Can be easily laid and easily renewed at any time
• Suitable for rental apartments

disadvantages

• Suitable only for small enclosures
• Can slip and should therefore be fixed in place
• Corners and edges should be covered with strips so that the rabbits do not chew the material

PVC flooring and linoleum for the apartment enclosure.

PVC and linoleum are considered simple variants to protect a sensitive substrate. They are very affordable and available in different sizes, so they can be perfectly adapted to the size of the room. Both materials are very easy to install and can be renewed at any time. In addition, they can be removed later without leaving any residue, so they are also suitable for use in the rented apartment.

The materials do not wrinkle. To prevent your rabbits from slipping, you should use a textured flooring. This is less slippery. Glue all the edges or apply strips so that the rabbits can not chew on the material.

PVC and linoleum are very easy to clean and provide very good hygiene.
Note
Some variants smell so strongly that you should first let them air out for a few days.

Advantages and disadvantages of PVC flooring and linoleum as urine-proof flooring for the housing enclosure:

Advantages

Cheap
Available in many sizes
Easy to install
Can be renewed at any time and leaves no residue
Suitable for rental apartments
Does not wrinkle
Make sure the surface is roughened so that the bunnies do not slip
Easy cleaning and good hygiene

Disadvantages

Rabbits can nibble at the material if no ledges are applied

The covering may need to air out first to get rid of the strong odor

Pond liner as a urine-proof flooring material.

Compared to the above materials, pond liner is less suitable. It is expensive, wrinkles and also tends not to be slip resistant. In addition, rabbits can poke it with their claws and damage the material.

Therefore, pond liner should not be used as the only flooring material. However, if you would like to carpet the apartment enclosure, for example, you can place the pond liner underneath to prevent urine from soaking through. Likewise, you can equip some areas – for example, the area around the digging box – with the pond liner to ensure greater cleanliness.

The edges of the pond liner should also be taped to prevent rabbits from nibbling on it.

Pond liner is very easy to clean, as well as easy to install and replace at any time. It is also suitable for rental apartments.

Advantages and disadvantages of pond liner as a urine-proof flooring for the housing enclosure:

Advantages

Suitable as a base for another substrate such as carpeting
Easy cleaning and good hygiene
Easy to lay
Can be laid without any problems
Can be removed without leaving any residue
Also suitable for rental apartments

disadvantages

Expensive
May wrinkle
Not slip resistant
Rabbit claws can damage the material
Edges must be glued