Try to give them regular access to the outside as the seasons change so they have time to adjust. If you want to know more about keeping rabbits warm over winter, read our free guide. Pets who have been there for us during the pandemic deserve somewhere to turn when they need life-saving treatment. Your help will save pets' lives. Donate Menu. Get help. Find us. Jump to questions: Is it better to keep my rabbits indoors or outdoors? Should I move my outdoor rabbits inside when it gets cold?
How can I keep my outdoor rabbits warm this winter? I keep my rabbit indoors - does he still need another rabbit for company? Inside or Outside? In Australia rabbits are have been traditionally housed outside, but there is now an increase in popularity of house rabbits. Rabbits make great inside pets. Rabbits are easily toilet trained and they make fabulous indoor companions, and keeping them inside ensures they are safe from predators and disease.
Possible housing arrangements: House bunnies Indoor bunnies are able to spend large amounts of time around their owners, and therefore feel safe around humans and make excellent companions. Some options for house bunnies are: Free range inside. Remember that you do need to bunny-proof the rooms they are allowed in; covering up any electrical cords an effective way to bunny-proof cords is to thread them through polypipe or garden hose.
Remember that all rabbits need 4 hours of free roaming exercise on the ground construct a playground so that bunnies can have fun in their play time Indoor-outdoor bunnies Some rabbits have the best of both inside and outdoor worlds. Some indoor-outdoor options are: Access through a cat door for free-roaming rabbits A outdoor enclosure or hutch system for your rabbit to play in safely during the day. Make sure any enclosure is predator proof and insect proof Backyard bunnies Many people feel that rabbits need to be housed outside, as this is closer to their natural conditions in the wild.
Some backyard options are: Free range outside. This does leave them vulnerable to predators dogs, cats, foxes. Rabbits are smart, social and highly curious , and they need to be able to explore their surroundings. They're also incredibly active, and love to run and jump. The House Rabbit Society recommends at least 8 square feet of housing with at least 24 square feet of exercise space, which the rabbits can access at least five hours per day.
And that's the minimum. Many rabbit owners choose to let their rabbits have free range of their house after rabbit-proofing them , of course just like a dog or cat would. Some people avoid fixing their rabbit because they think it's "unnatural," or simply because they don't want to pay for it. But rabbits are the third-most euthanized pet in the country, and fixing is the only way to prevent unwanted litters.
But the main reasons for spaying or neutering apply even if your rabbit doesn't have a mate. Spaying is absolutely crucial for female rabbits, as 80 percent of unspayed female rabbits will develop reproductive cancers by the age of 6.
The disease can hit as early as 1 year old - spaying eliminates this risk and increases their life span by years.
It's also important for males. Hormonal rabbits are territorial rabbits , which can mean lots of biting, scratching and grunting. They also engage in fun house-destroying activities like spraying urine and refusing to use their litterbox. A fixed bunny will be happier and less stressed - and you're less likely to be attacked every time you enter bunny's favorite room. This might seem harmless, but it's a big no-no in the rabbit world.
Never bathe your bunny. Rabbits are self-cleaning animals, and a dirty rabbit is a sign of a sick rabbit who needs a vet visit, not a bath.
Even if a mischievous rabbit winds up making a mess and needs to be cleaned, they should only be spot-cleaned or placed in a few inches of water at most read here for more detailed instructions. While there are a rare few rabbits who enjoy water, bathing is highly stressful for most rabbits and can cause respiratory infections, hypothermia and even heart attacks. As prey animals, rabbits are very good at hiding their illnesses , so owners need to be attuned to the slightest changes in their routine.
Any difference in eating, going to the bathroom or behavior can be a sign of serious discomfort and a medical emergency. They also need specialized care from an exotics vet, not your neighborhood cat or dog vet, which means researching a vet ahead of time so you have her on call for emergencies.
Yes, some rabbits are miracle bunnies who just love being cuddled from day one, but the average rabbit is much more aloof. It can take months before a new rabbit warms up to his owner. Rabbits are prey animals and very independent, and even after a rabbit settles in, he may never enjoy being cuddled like a puppy would.
That doesn't mean he doesn't like you. Some rabbits will deign to sit quietly on their owner's lap - more often they'll prefer running up to their owners for some gentle pets and then running off when they're done.
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