How to Soundproof a Rabbit Hutch and Rabbit Cage
If you have a lovely rabbit or two as pets, you know that the thumping noise can get pretty extreme. Rabbits make many noises, even farting noises if you feed them too much fiber-dense food (so basically anything they like).
In order to reduce sounds coming from the hutch or a cage can be challenging if you don’t follow the right soundproofing strategy.
So in this article I will share with you 5 easy tips to soundproof a rabbit hutch or cage by yourself! Seriously, you can do it on your own without any previous soundproofing experience. Here’s how:
1. Cover the hutch/cage with mass loaded vinyl
In order to reduce the amount of noise escaping the place, you have to add THICKNESS to the barrier. Cover the walls of the hutch or cage with thick and dense materials that are designed for soundproofing.
My favorite materials include mass loaded vinyl and thick moving blankets. Mass loaded vinyl is super effective at keeping noise at bay so its used for soundproofing walls and machinery as well.
Most of the automotive noiseproofing materials contain MLV in large amounts. You can get a sheet of MLV on Amazon (aff link) cut it to the right size for each surface and install it with some nails/screws or a spray adhesive like Loctite (aff link).
MLV can be installed on the inside or the outside of a hutch/cage. If it’s a small home already, it’s best to install MLV on the outside so that your rabbit doesn’t get angry at you.
2. Use a moving blanket instead
If you’re not a fan of mass loaded vinyl (although there’s no reason not to be!), a good alternative can be moving blankets. Moving blankets are thicker than regular blankets. This is a blanket (aff link) that’s often used for soundproofing pet cages and crates.
They’re typically used when moving furniture and other sensitive objects so that they don’t get damaged. But their thickness and density makes them excellent for soundproofing projects.
These blankets can be easily cut to the needed size with a pair of scissors. Do exactly that, and then install the blanket with nails or screws.
If you’re just using it momentarily, simply put a blanket or two on top of the hutch or cage for as long as you want to keep the noise down. If the noise is still bothering you, throw another blanket on top. More thickness = less noise.
3. Prevent thumping noise with soft materials
Thumping noise occurs from the interaction between the rabbit and hard surfaces. By making the interior surfaces softer you can reduce this noise to a large extent.
Using a soft material will also reduce the echo and by extension the sound transference from the cage/hutch. The best option is to cover the surface with acoustic foam (aff link) that you’d typically find in recording studios. Cut the acoustic foam panels to the needed size first. Then use a spray adhesive or nails/screws to put it in place.
3. Soundproof the surrounding area
Sometimes a rabbit hutch or cage is too small or has a strange design that prevents proper soundproofing. In that case you can reduce noise by soundproofing the surfaces that surround it, like the walls, doors and windows.
If it’s located outside, use thick and large plants that can absorb some of the noise on their own. If you have a fence, consider installing mass loaded vinyl on the fence to make it a better sound barrier.
4. Don’t cut off air supply
Unfortunately, it’s impossible to completely soundproof a rabbit cage or a hutch because you can’t seal it off completely. There has to be air flowing freely or your pet would suffocate inside. But through this open space sound can flow freely along with the oxygen.
With that in mind, cover as much of the area as possible without putting your rabbit in harms way. The more of the surface you can cover, the less space there will be for noise to travel outside its place of residence.
5. Place soft material on the floor
Thumping sound can come from the rabbit moving inside the cage or hutch. The sound is louder in case of hard floors. Place a small mat, a towel, rug pad and/or hay on the floor to minimize the thumping as much as possible.
6. Keep your rabbit happy
Your rabbit will become noisy if it’s hungry, thirsty or under stress. If you can keep his belly full and make him feel like he’s perfectly safe, a rabbit naturally will be quieter instead of annoying everyone with futile calls for help.
Final Word: Soundproofing a Rabbit Hutch and Cage
To sum up, a rabbit hutch or a cage can be soundproofed by using thick soundproofing material on the interior and exterior surface.
Mass loaded vinyl and moving blankets are great for capturing the sound. Acoustic foam can be used to cover the walls inside the hutch/cage most effectively.
Finally, make sure to cover the floor with soft material like hay to reduce thumping noise. Consider the size of the hutch/cage before using these materials. Both for the comfort of your rabbit and so that you know how much material you’ll need to accomplish the task successfully.
If you implement these tips I’m confident that the noises coming from your rabbit’s home will no longer be a problem. Hope this helps!
