Wire mesh or solid floor: which cage bottom should you pick for a rabbit?
Published by Planète Pets · managing editor: Clément Lacaille · how our guides are written
The cage bottom is a small detail with a big impact on a rabbit's foot health. Originally designed for breeding operations, wire mesh flooring makes cleaning easy by letting droppings fall through, but it concentrates the animal's full weight on a few millimetres of metal wire. A review covering thousands of farm visits in Spain and Portugal found that ulcerative pododermatitis dropped sharply in cages fitted with footrests compared with bare wire mesh throughout. For a pet rabbit, the practical takeaway is simple: solid flooring should be the rule, wire mesh the exception. See more pointers in our bedding and habitat section.
Contents · 4 sections
Why wire mesh is a problem
Rabbits lack the thick paw pads of a dog or cat: only fur protects the soles of their hind feet. On wire mesh, weight concentrates on the contact points with the wire, wearing down skin and eventually favouring sores and infection, particularly in heavier or older rabbits. We cover the warning signs in our guide to preventing pododermatitis.
Solid flooring has its own pitfalls
A solid floor, in rigid plastic or treated wood, protects the feet but traps urine moisture if it isn't cleaned daily, which can irritate the skin and favour fungal issues. Non-slip mats or rugs usefully complement a solid base without replacing rigorous litter tray maintenance.
Fixing an existing wire-mesh cage
If the existing cage bottom is wire mesh, you don't necessarily need to replace it entirely: solid flooring panels or rigid footrests placed over the mesh often remove direct contact, as long as they cover at least the rabbit's usual resting spots. Also check that the overall floor area stays sufficient, as explained in our guide to enclosure and cage size.
Frequently asked questions
Is wire mesh always to be avoided?
No, a short occasional wire-mesh crossing isn't dangerous. It's prolonged, day-after-day exposure that damages the feet.
My rabbit's feet are already reddened, what should I do?
Remove access to the mesh immediately, add a flat padded surface, and see a vet if the redness doesn't fade within a few days.
Is wood a good choice for a solid floor?
Yes, if treated and easy to clean; avoid untreated raw wood, which absorbs urine and degrades quickly.
Do all cage brands still sell wire-bottom models?
Many still do, mainly because it's cheaper to manufacture. Check the floor material before buying, not just the cage's overall size.
An accessory from our shop for this use: Wooden hay rack with tray for rabbit, guinea pig and chinchilla (€21.90) · the whole shop
An accessory from our shop for this use: Modular plastic playpen for puppies and rabbits, 4 or 6 panels (from $87.90, ships from the US) · the US shop
This guide is part of Planète Pets’s Rabbits universe. Our advice is general in nature: for any health concern, your veterinarian remains the only reference.
