Vet Q & AWhat's the right shelter or cage size for my dog, horse, rabbit, bird?
Dog:
I personally recommend that they live indoors, it's safer for them inside and they always will be sheltered from the weather. If the dog is kept outdoors, the kennel needs to be big enough that they can stand in it, turn around, lay down, and stretch out as well as move around. There should be a roof on it, and the sides should be made of a metal mesh to allow air flow.
Horse:
Typically horses are kept in stalls. A 12x12 foot stall is suitable for a 1000+ pound horse.
Rabbit:
They are kept in hutches or cages, and the minimum recommended living space is is 12 square feet (1.1 square meters) with the addition of a larger area of 32 square feet for exercise.
Bird:
They are kept in cages, and it should be big enough to allow the bird to fly freely through the cage and have plenty of room for toys and enrichment.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
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