Rabbits have a habit of making make thumping noises which can be very annoying. That is why if you have them as pets, you will need to soundproof your rabbit hutch.
To soundproof a rabbit hutch, you need to cover it with noise-absorbing materials. This way, the soundproofing material will absorb the noises your pets make. You can also use soft materials on the hutch’s floor to prevent thumping noise.
Rabbit noises can be disturbing, especially at night. But you can do some methods that you can utilize to minimize those noises and prevent them from disrupting your sleep.
Also read: How To Make A Hamster Wheel Quiet In 5 Simple Steps
How to Soundproof A Rabbit Hutch
Rabbits are generally quiet pets. They do not produce loud sounds, just like dogs and cats. But sometimes, rabbits will keep you awake at night by thumping and running around their cage.
Fortunately, you can solve these unwanted noises by adding soundproofing materials to your rabbit cage.
But before starting to soundproof your rabbit hutch, you need to note that it is impossible to completely soundproof it. There always has to be an open space where air can freely move to prevent your pet from suffocating inside its home.
That said, you only need to cover as much area of the hutch as possible without cutting off the rabbit’s oxygen supply.
Here are some simple steps that you can follow to soundproof your rabbit hutch:
1. Use Mass-loaded Vinyl
For you to successfully reduce the amount of noise that comes from your rabbit cage, you need to add thickness to your barrier. Cover the walls of the hutch with dense and thick materials that are designed specifically for soundproofing.
One of the most effective and densest soundproofing materials that you can use for your rabbit cage is mass-loaded vinyl. It works very well in keeping noise at bay. For this reason, it is popular among people who need to soundproof noisy areas.
For instance, the majority of automotive soundproofing materials contain large amounts of mass-loaded vinyl. The mass-loaded vinyl acts as a sound dampener, so it can reduce the volume of noises to make them less audible.
You can easily find a sheet of mass-loaded vinyl in online shops like Amazon. You only need to cut it to the correct size so that it will fit in your rabbit hutch.
For installation, you can either use nails, screws, or a spray adhesive.
Moreover, you can install MLV either inside or outside your rabbit hutch. If you think the hutch is already small, installing the soundproofing material on the outer part is better. This way, your rabbit will still have enough space to move around.
2. Use A Moving Blanket As A Cover
If you do not want to use mass-loaded vinyl, you can utilize a moving blanket as an alternative.
A moving blanket has a thicker cloth compared to a regular blanket. In fact, most people who have pets at home use moving blankets to soundproof their pet crates and cages.
The primary purpose of moving blankets is as a cover when moving furniture and other delicate objects.
Moving blankets prevent these objects from acquiring damages. However, since these blankets are thick and dense, they make great materials for blocking unwanted noises.
In addition, you can easily cut moving blankets to the size that you need using a pair of sharp scissors. Once you have the right size, you can simply use nails or screws to install the blanket to your rabbit hutch.
But if you are using the moving blanket temporarily, such as a soundproofing material during the night, you can simply place it on top of the cage or hut as long as you want to keep the noise at bay.
After placing a moving blanket and the noise still bothers you, you can add another layer of blanket on top.
The more blanket you use, the less noise will escape from your rabbit cage. However, you need to make sure that there is a space for air to circulate within your rabbit hutch or cage.
3. Use Soft Materials To Prevent Thumping Sound
A thumping sound happens when the rabbit moves on hard surfaces. For this reason, you need to make the interior surfaces softer.
If the floor and walls of your rabbit hutch are covered with soft materials, you will be able to prevent the impact noises that your rabbit makes.
Additionally, using a soft material will help you reduce the echo by extending the sound transference from the hutch. If you utilized this soundproofing method, the best material would be acoustic foam.
Per the installation, you only need to cut the foam panels to the size that you need. Once you achieve the right size, all you need to do is use a spray adhesive to mount the foams on the hutch.
If you need a permanent mounting, you can screw or nail the acoustic foams to the hutch.
Disclaimer: Rabbits chew everything. Do not install soundproofing to the inside of their cages or nest boxes. Only soundproof where the rabbit cannot get the materials in their mouth.
4. Soundproof The Area Surrounding The Rabbit Cage
Sometimes, soundproofing the hutch or cage itself is not possible because it is too small.
When you add soundproofing materials inside it, the space for your rabbit will be too small. In this case, you can opt to soundproof the surfaces that surround the hutch or cage, such as its doors, walls, and windows.
If the rabbit hutch is located outside your house, you can use thick and large plants, such as bushes, to help absorb some of the noises.
If you have fences, you can also install mass-loaded vinyl around the fence. This way, you will have a better sound barrier.
5. Place Acoustic Foams On The Rabbit Hutch’s Floor
Thumping noise can also occur when the rabbit hops on the hard floor of its hutch. The harder the hutch’s floor is, the louder the thumping noise will be. For this reason, you need to place a soft mat to mitigate the unwanted thumping noise.
Alternatively, you can cover the hutch’s floor with:
- A towel
- A rug
- Hay
Will Soundproofing Stop Sound Of Rabbits Thumping?
Rabbits often make thumping noises when they hop or move around their hutch. If the hutch has hard surfaces, the louder the thumping noise will be.
The reason is that solid surfaces allow sound waves to freely bounce off and travel around, thus disturbing you and the people you live with.
Fortunately, you can do something so you will not hear the thumping noise. By utilizing multiple soundproofing methods, you will be able to reduce the volume of the sound of thumping noises.
If your rabbit’s hutch or cage has a hard floor, you can use a rug or any soft cloth to cover it. This way, the thumping noises will become quieter since the soft material will help deaden the sound waves.
Generally, soft materials are great for capturing sound waves. Materials like mats, towels, rugs, and foams are usually light, fluffy, and porous. For this reason, they can absorb sound waves and echoes, reducing the amount of noise that you hear.
Why Do Rabbits Make Thumping Noises?
We know that rabbits are quiet pets. While they vocalize, this behavior is not very common for these pets. So, rather than producing sounds, rabbits use body language to communicate with their owners.
Moreover, thumping is one of the body languages that rabbits commonly make. If you want to stop your pet from making thumping noises, you need to understand why they do that body language.
Do All Rabbits Thump?
Not every rabbit produces a thumping sound. But if yours do, they make this noise by rapidly drumming or stomping both of their hind feet. After this body language, your pet might freeze in its place or look for shelter.
How often your rabbit thumps depend on its environment and personality. So, if you want to stop your pet from thumping, you need to understand its nature.
The Reason Why Rabbits Thump
Imagine yourself at home watching a good movie or reading a book while your rabbit is in its cage while enjoying its nap. Suddenly, a loud vehicle honks outside your home, causing the rabbit to suddenly wake up.
The next thing you know, your pet is already running into its hiding place or thumping its hind feet. Your rabbit is making thumping noises to warn and alert you that it is sensing danger.
Needless to say, thumping is a rabbit’s way of alerting you about danger. However, rabbits also do this behavior to express annoyance.
The key to finding out what your rabbit is trying to say by thumping is by observing its environment. You need to know what the situation was before your pet began thumping.
Keeping Your Rabbit Quiet At Night
One of the most common problems that rabbit owners frequently encounter is the noise that they make during the wee hours of the night. If your rabbit cage or hutch is inside your bedroom, these disturbing noises can deprive you of good sleep.
There are a number of reasons why your rabbit makes noises at night. Fortunately, there are also some simple solutions to prevent them from being noisy.
Play With Your Rabbit Before Putting It In Its Cage
If you see that your rabbit still has too much energy when it is near bedtime, that is an indication that it will not sleep and will not let you sleep as well.
If your pet vigorously moves around after you put it in its cage, it could mean that it is not yet tired and has to burn some energy.
One behavior of rabbits, when they are still energetic, is that they make a lot of frustrated noise. When worse comes to worst, they can be destructive, flinging hay and turning over their food bowls.
To prevent this disturbing and noisy behavior, you need to give your pet enough time to exercise before going to bed. Let your rabbit run around for a few hours. This way, they can burn off their energy and go to sleep quietly.
Do Not Let Your Rabbit Develop Needy Behaviors
Right now, many people are spending more time with their pets than ever. Such can be fun for your rabbit. However, the downside is that it can develop needy behaviors, causing them to create noises to get your attention.
To prevent your pet from becoming needy, you can try placing it inside its enclosure for a few hours and leave the room where they are. This way, your pet will not get used to your presence.
Additionally, do not give your rabbit unlimited time to play all day long. Giving them too much time to play and run around will make it hard for them to separate from the fun. As a result, it will make noise to express its annoyance once you place it back in its cage or hutch.
Cover Your Rabbit’s Hutch
One of the most common misconceptions about rabbits is that they are nocturnal animals. In reality, rabbits are crepuscular, which means they are most active during dawn and dusk.
The crepuscular cycle also means that your furry pet’s energy level can extend past the end of dusk and until the evening. Such can be problematic if you sleep early and your rabbit’s cage is inside your room.
One method to help your rabbit calm its energy level down at night is to put some cover on its cage.
A blanket, huge towel, or any sheet of cloth that can make the rabbit’s environment darker will send a signal to your pet that it is nighttime and it needs to settle down.
At first, your rabbit will show displeasure and protest when you cover its cage. It may even take a couple of days before it can adjust to having a darker environment. However, this method will prompt them to have a good sleep cycle.
Sources
- Luka Baron, How to Soundproof a Rabbit Hutch and Rabbit Cage, Soundproof Advice, https://soundproofadvice.com/how-to-soundproof-a-rabbit-hutch-and-rabbit-cage/
- Alice Elizabeth González, How Do Acoustic Materials Work?, Intech Open, https://www.intechopen.com/books/acoustics-of-materials/how-do-acoustic-materials-work-/
- Marylou Zarbock, Why do Rabbits Thump? Lafaber.Com, https://lafeber.com/mammals/why-do-rabbits-thump/
- 13 Ways to Keep Your Rabbit Quiet at Night, Farm Animal Report, https://www.farmanimalreport.com/2020/05/09/13-ways-to-keep-your-rabbit-quiet-at-night/