Are you considering painting your rabbit hutch but aren’t sure where you begin? There are many paint products out there that are toxic to animals. As a responsible pet owner, we always want to make sure that we’re painting with products that won’t cause any harm to our pets.
So, is acrylic paint safe for rabbits? Yes, it is. The best paint for painting a rabbit hutch is going to be one that is water-based and non-toxic, such as acrylics. Keep in mind that it’s recommended that you only paint only the outside of the hutch, not the inside.
Even when using safe paint, there are still some risks of using paint on the inside of a rabbit hutch. First, rabbits love to chew on things, and it is not good for them to get paint in their mouth. You will also want to avoid painting the inside because even when the paint is dry, there can be some fumes coming from the paint. In this article we go over everything you need to know to paint your rabbit hutch safely. Let’s read on!
Safe Paint for Rabbit Cages
Using paint on a rabbit hutch or cage is a great way to preserve the wood or metal of the enclosure. When considering what paints are safe, you need to consider paints that won’t be harmful to your rabbit after it has dried.
My favorite and top pick is always Arteza Acrylic Paints. They have so many different colors, and the quality is amazing! I usually use Arteza Paints for all my projects.
The best, safest paint to use for a rabbit enclosure is going to be one that isn’t toxic, free from volatile organic compounds, water-based, free from heavy metals, carcinogens, and petrochemicals. The one and only choice for painting a rabbit hutch is going to be acrylic paint.
Acrylic paints dry quickly, so you will be able to get your rabbit back in their hutch within several hours. These paints also have an incredibly low odor with zero fumes. This also means the paint is non-flammable.
When acrylic paints completely dry, they will be permanent on the surface. The paint will be water-resistant, but not entirely waterproof. If you want to waterproof the hutch when the paint is dry, you can coat the paint with a waterproof sealant. Later in the article we go over how to seal your painted rabbit hutch.
How to Paint a Rabbit Habitat
First, you need to choose your paints. Rabbits don’t have any color preferences so you can pick any color you like. It is important to make sure you have all of the necessary supplies for painting before you start your project.
These are the products I recommend having before starting your project:
Arteza Outdoor Acrylic Paint– This paint is perfect for the outdoors, and can handle rough weather as well.
Liquitex Primer– This is to primer the surface before you start painting. It gives you a nice white background to start on.
Paintbrushes– This set comes with 5 pieces, and are perfect to use on wood and outdoor materials.
Mod Podge Sealer– This sealant is waterproof, so it’s perfect for outdoor conditions. It also keep your paint from chipping and fading.
Disposable Gloves– Gloves help your hands from gettin too dirty with paint, but it’s also recommended to wear when you seal the paint.
The first thing you will need to do is remove the rabbit from the hutch and the area you are going to be painting. No matter how safe the paint is for your pet, rabbits are known to have an extremely sensitive sense of smell.
As the paint dries, it lets out fumes that can make your rabbit uncomfortable. Keep your rabbit a safe distance away.
Next, you will need to check the weather before you start painting. It is recommended to paint the hutch when the weather is warm and dry. However, you need to be sure that there is no rain or humidity in the forecast. It can impact the quality of the paint if it is still dry when it starts to rain or get humid.
Before you begin painting, you should clean the hutch, as this can make all the difference of how your finished product looks. You will need to use hot, soapy water. If you don’t have any wood cleaner, or you aren’t painting a wooden hutch, dish soap will work just as well.
Step 1
Mix the water and soap in a bucket. Use a sponge to clean the inside and the outside of the rabbit hutch. If you are painting wood, avoid soaking the wood because this can cause rot. Brush the sponge very lightly across the surface of the hutch and dry it thoroughly with a lint-free cloth.
Step 2
Put your gloves on and open the primer. Using a primer before you paint will enhance the adhesion of the paint to the surface of the rabbit hutch, as well as create a smoother surface to paint on. You will probably want to use two coats of primer for maximum results.
Step 3
After the primer is dry, you can start painting. Open the paint and stir it up to ensure that you get the proper consistency and color of paint. You can also use a big paint palette to see all the colors you will be using. Apply the first coat of paint with a natural-bristle brush. Make sure you paint thin, even layers.
You should use at least two layers of paint. Make sure the first layer of paint to dry for about an hour before you paint the second layer. The paint will need to dry completely before you add any type of sealant to the hutch, which is recommended to make it waterproof.
Step 4
Once the paint is fully dry, apply the sealer. Spray about 12 inches away form the surface, in even motions. If you’re spraying horizontally, make sure the rest is also in that same direction. You should let the sealer dry for about 24-72 hours, depending on how much paint and sealer you used, before letting your rabbits back in. The rule of thumb is if the odor is still strong, it will be too strong for your rabbits.
Will Paint Fumes Hurt a Rabbit?
Paint fumes will possibly harm your rabbit, and it is not recommended to have them around paint when it is wet and drying. Rabbits have an incredibly sensitive sense of smell, so the paint fumes can easily irritate and bother them. The paint fumes are the biggest risk to rabbits when painting.
Can I Paint with My Rabbit in the Room?
If the room you are going to paint in doesn’t have great air circulation, you should move your rabbits to a different location while you are painting. It is not a good idea to paint with your rabbits in the same room as you because the fumes can be dangerous to them.
The rabbits should not be exposed to any paint until after it has completely dried and cured. When the paint is dry, there won’t be any more fumes released from the paint. At this point, the rabbits can safely be in the room where you were painting.
Is Acrylic Paint Pet Safe?
Acrylic paint is considered to be pet safe because it is non-toxic, and water based. It is recommended, however, to only allow your pets near the paint after it has dried. Even though the paint is safe and non-toxic, there can be fumes released during the drying process.
After you paint, it’s recommended to keep your pets away from the wet paint until it’s fully dry to the touch. Even though it is safe for pets, you shouldn’t paint the inside of something that your pet is going to spend their time in.
If your pet accidentally ingests acrylic paint, keep an out for any vomiting and upset stomach. They may vomit depending on how much they ingested. If the ingested a lot of paint, I recommend taking them to the vet.
Final Thoughts
If you are wanting to paint your rabbit hutch, you are probably wondering what kind of paint you should be using. The best paint to use is water-based and non-toxic. Acrylic paint is going to be the one and only option for safe paint for painting your rabbit hutch.
Painting the hutch is a pretty easy process, but the rabbits will need to be kept away from the wet and drying paint. Move the rabbits to another area, as far away from the paints as possible to protect them. When the paint is completely dry, then you will be able to place the rabbits back by the paint with no worries about them being harmed by fumes.
Make sure to follow all my tips and recommended products to make sure your rabbit hutch project turns out great, and safe. Also, don’t forget to check out my other articles for all your painting Q&A’s. Happy painting!
