housing a rabbit outside?

[tikeyas_mom]

what are your oinions about housing a rabbit outside through winter and summer.

[Karen]

It depends on where you live, what kind of housing, the temperament of the rabbit and how much time the bunny will get to spend with his/her people. I would never confine a bunny to an outdoor hutch with no social interaction with people for days at a time, especially since we've owned Miss Hoppy, and know how much she loves just to be with us. And it's not a fit night out for man nor beast here tonight!

[tikeyas_mom]

well there are these ppl that live up the street from me and they have their lil rabbit housed outside and it has been really bad weather lately..

[carole]

It certainly depends where you live, and how good your outdoor hutch is, here in NZ it would be fine, well in the upper or lower north island at least, my son had a bunny lickrish, she was in an outdoor hutch, she was fine, it was very sheltered, and on wheels so in the summer I could make sure she was under a tree and shaded.

[tikeyas_mom]

well this one up the street in one the gournd and it isnt very well sheltered, it had a wodden top and wire body, the snow goes in the cage, they have blankets in the cage to though...

[carole]

We never have snow where I live in the winter, but if we did, I would choose to house my bunny indoors, however I suppose wild bunnies survive outdoors in the snow, so I don't really know.

[Twisterdog]

I personally have a big problem with this.

For one thing ... yes, wild rabbits live in very cold climates .... but they are wild rabbits, with dense coats, not domesticated pets. Also, they dig burrows deep under ground, where they can escape the weather. A pet rabbit locked in a wire hutch is unable to find shelter.

I HATE animals kept outside in the cold, or heat, or rain. If you are going to get a pet, it should live in the house, as part of the family, IMO. Otherwise, why bother to get a pet at all??

[Kfamr]

Ditto everything Twisterdog said.


NO animal, as a pet, should be kept outside 24/7.

[Aspen and Misty]

Ditto Twisterdog and Kfamr!


Ashley

[wolfsoul]

I don't agree with rabbits outside. When I was 11, I had this sweet little dwarf bunny named Rascal. When I came home from vacation, my mom told me that sad news. It had gotten above 40 degrees, and Rascal couldn't handle it. He died. And she just left him out there.

[tikeyas_mom]

i agree that rabbits shoulnt be left outside. it seems crule.

[Daisylover]

Absolutely, positively a domesticated rabbit should not be housed outside.....esp in a cage on the ground for crying out loud!!!!! The poor thing could have a heart attack when a predator tries to get to it...and they will, sooner or later. Besides the water and food will freeze almost immediately and a rabbit has to be able to eat pretty much 24/7. Also domesticated rabbits need interaction with people or they become afraid of them and unmanageable....and then people wonder why their bunny doesn't love them anymore.

That is a terrible situation and that rabbit needs to be removed by the owner in to the house or to a humane society/sanctuary.
And yes, Twisterdog is right on the money, why have a pet you don't/can't interact with! Dumb, dumb, dumb!

[tikeyas_mom]

when did I say that the ppl dont interact with the rabbit?? I didnt say that, they play with it everyday. The hutch is very big too. But I dont think it is nice to have him outside all the time, they bring him inside toplay with him though. I shall offer to sell them one of my metal kenels to house it in tilll the summer.

[Karen]

How long have they had the rabbit? How old is it? Perhaps printing off some pages about "house rabbits" would help copnvince them it can be an inside bunny. Lots of people do not know rabbits are able to be housebroken, maybe they don't know. If they take it inside and play with it every day, obviously they care. Do they have other pets it might need to be protected from inside? Never assume ignorance is intentional - gie them information and a chance! After all FloppsyLadySally's bunny got to come inside!

[tikeyas_mom]

Originally posted by Karen
How long have they had the rabbit? How old is it? Perhaps printing off some pages about "house rabbits" would help copnvince them it can be an inside bunny. Lots of people do not know rabbits are able to be housebroken, maybe they don't know. If they take it inside and play with it every day, obviously they care. Do they have other pets it might need to be protected from inside? Never assume ignorance is intentional - gie them information and a chance! After all FloppsyLadySally's bunny got to come inside!

it is like almost a year old, they got it from a breeder, he is a male not neutered. His name is checkers, They have had the rabbit since it was 8 weeks old. They have a dog, it is a cocker, not spayed.. ... but I cant do anything about it. The cocker doesnt mind the bunny, the cocker is like 11 years old. I will try to convince them to bring the bunnie inside, BUT I dont have a printer, and my school charges ppl for paper. I have a litter box, but I need it for my cat lol. other wise I would lend it to them for the rabbit.