How to keep and look after Rabbits?

[Sar]

Sar

December 7, 2017 at 10:19 am #356

I’m considering adopting a pair, my one question is does their run need to be kept on grass as I have a small garden with not a great deal of grass.. any tips would be great for looking after them??

[mandymandy]

mandymandy

December 7, 2017 at 10:20 am #357

If you keep their run on grass you will have to watch them carefully because rabbits dig and can easily get out that way. They can also climb and jump, surprisingly! I had one inveterate escapologist who would actually leap over the side of his run so I had to make a secure roof for it.

[Kelly]

Kelly

December 7, 2017 at 10:20 am #358

They need massive amounts of space, the bog standard hutches sold I know everyone Pets at Home are frankly cruel. Please go onto a proper rabbit forum and see the set up people recommend. You should have runs for them, as big as possible

[ester]

ester

December 7, 2017 at 10:21 am #359

My bunny has the whole garden and sleeps in the shed- the amount they move around is amazing- please don’t keep yours in a hutch. They also love to nibble on a variety of grasses/ shrubs.

[Red-1]

Red-1

December 7, 2017 at 10:22 am #360

I have two house rabbits, they are fabulous pets but need much more interaction and care than most realize! If you get them from a rescue then they should already be neutered, which they need to be.
To give you an idea of space, mine have the run of the upstairs when I am in and my whole bedroom all the time- under my bed is their warren!
They need vaccinating every year (2 vaccs) and constant supply of fresh hay. Regular vet checks are essential as they need teeth checks, it’s essential to find a rabbit savvy vet as not many vets get much training on them and they are classed as exotic species. if they live outside then fly strike is a real risk so may need preventative treatment, which doesn’t stop it completely, but slows down the hatching from egg to maggot. Best outdoor run type is aivary panels with a roof, and mesh for fly prevention.
They are temperature sensitive so if outdoors then they need plenty to keep them cool in summer and warm in winter. Garden sheds with big runs are a fab set up.
There is a forum called rabbit rehome (first to come up on google) and there are some really knowledgeable people on there.

I keep mine like little horses who live indoors- their nuggets are dengie grass pellets! Lots of hay and readigrass and Verdo pellets in the litter tray! They are very easy to litter train and such amenable little beasties- mine sleep on my bed like dogs!

Edit to say that the run doesn’t need to be on grass but concrete can be harsh on their feet (as they are fur covered the skin is pretty soft) so can increase the risk of pododermatitis, some people put down rubber mats or similar but you need to make sure it’s the type of stuff they can’t chew and eat!

[Katy]

Katy

December 7, 2017 at 10:23 am #361

Depending on where you live, if it’s town/city (at a guess with not much garden) dont leave them unsupervised in a run, they are likely to get stolen.

[bobby]

bobby

December 7, 2017 at 10:24 am #362

When I first got a rabbit and he lived outside, I had his run on stable matting, as the concrete was too abrasive.

They do need a big (covered) run as they need lots of space to play. If you do want them outside, having a shed with an adjoining run is a good set up.

Mine quickly became a house rabbit, and its so lovely to see them run and play. they are usually easily litter trained too.

[Elbie]

Elbie

December 7, 2017 at 10:25 am #363

My sister has two big rabbits. Her OH built a huge hutch for them – it’s enormous and has two levels with ramps up/ down, tyres containing hay and grass / soil for them to dig. It’s weather proofed (removable so can come off in good weather), has a large hutch inside and outdoor space. It is situated on concrete because otherwise they dig.

They also have a lot of outdoor access to her garden and go in the house sometimes too.

I was surprised at just how much space they actually need. When I say “huge”, it’s as big as the area a dog would get in kennels.

For your question – buns don’t have to be on grass, my pair are kept on concrete.

However, there’s much, much more to keeping rabbits. Space is a priority – a pair of rabbits should have at MINIMUM a 6x2x2ft hutch, permanently attached to a run of at least 8x6x2ft. Much of what you see in pet shops simply isn’t adequate, unless multiple units are linked together.

There’s a UK based forum called Rabbits United, full of friendly, welcoming, and incredibly knowledgeable people and articles, with all the info you’ll need.

[Luke]

Luke

December 7, 2017 at 10:26 am #364

My three have two dog runs on concrete with a big hutch at one end and hay bales and a big log at the other. I give them other toys too from time to time but they mostly eat them in the end!

To get around them not having access to grass I pick grass, dandelion, chickweed, docks, sow thistle, groundsel etc for them twice a day as well as veg scraps from the kitchen and their Burgess Excel. They seem in fine fettle!