Rabbits inside or out
By jenniesawdon
@jenniesawdon (68)
May 1, 2007 6:58pm CST
Hey. I would like to get a rabbit but I am confused about where to keep them. someone I know keeps hers outside with a liitle runner but others say its cruel to keep them outside all the time.
6 responses
@wengonline (53)
• Philippines
2 May 07
I used to have rabbits and I kept them outdoors, but they have their own pet house. They are locked in the pet house on regular days but they are brought out when kids come over to play and every afternoon when they are give time to roam in the garden. Note that I live in a tropical country so the temperature might be a bit warmer outdoors so keeping them in the pet house also helps keep them cool and away from the dogs I also had at that time.
@Pigglies (9329)
• United States
2 May 07
I wrote an article about this awhile back, so here's a link to that, which should help you in your decision:
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/146193/rabbits_indoor_vs_outdoor_pets.html
The main things with a rabbit being outside are, you won't get to enjoy having the pet rabbit as much (unless you're outside all day for some reason), predators, and wider temperature variation. Keeping your rabbit in a puppy pen inside in a high traffic area will provide you with much more enjoyment and give the rabbit a safer residence. But see the article for a more in depth look at this question.
@iiartisanii (254)
• United States
2 May 07
It depends.
The House Rabbit Society and other "pet" rabbit people will tell you indoors only, with only occasional outside adventures, always with supervision.
A lot of rabbit breeders keep theirs outside or in a shed or the barn.
Rabbits are social animals, so if you are going to get one, I'd say keep it indoors so it can have more interaction. If you are getting a few, it might be fine to keep them outside.
However, rabbits are prey animals so your biggest concern will be their safety from predatory animals. I have kept mine outside in wooden hutches with much success. They need to be in an area that is very shady and well ventilated. They will overheat very easily in hot temperatures. So if you live in Arizona or somewhere where its hot, consider keeping them inside.
Its easy to put a rabbit outside and play with it for a month or so, but after awhile the novelty kind of wears off and it becomes a chore for many people to put in the time that is needed. If they are going to be in a hutch, they will need to be out of the hutch every day to stretch their little bunny legs. You can make a run for them in the grass, but it needs to be covered, or you need to watch them because hawks love rabbits.
@gizmo528 (731)
• United States
2 May 07
I've had both inside and outside rabbits. However, I love to keep my rabbit inside which is where she is right now. Actually, she is looking at me while I'm typing, lol. She has her own little hutch with toys inside and litter pan inside. When we let her out to play we just make sure all the doors are shut so that she won't get outside or underneath something that we can't reach. She has a blast playing with our cats, yes, our cats. They will chase each other around in circles until one either flops down on the floor in defeat or she runs back inside her hutch. Go with an indoor rabbit and you will have more fun. I would def. litter train them as it is easier to clean up after them.
• Canada
2 May 07
um i think that you should keeep your rabbit inside because it can still be cold,rainy,wet and i think it might scare them but do whatever you want that is just my oppinion.