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The subject of intentional breeding or meat rabbits is prohibited. The answers provided on this board are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet.  It is your responsibility to assess the information being given and seek professional advice/second opinion from your veterinarian and/or qualified behaviorist.

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Forum DIET & CARE Can I take my bunny out to the park in this weather?

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    • Priya
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        I don’t know if this is the right section, so please move it to the right place if this doesn’t belong here.

        So I’m from Toronto, Canada, and the weather is getting chilly. It is still hovering around 17-20/22 C during the day (when it’s not raining). I was wondering if I can take my 6-month old house bunny, Binky, out to the park (of course on a leash) for some fresh air? He never went outside (we got him a few months ago when he was a baby, so kept him indoors always), he is a full-time house bunny but I feel like if it’s safe, he should get some fresh air once in a while. Not all the parks in my area have dogs and other animals which may come after him, but my concern is the weather/temperature. What is the lowest temperature a bunny like him should be out in?


      • MoveDiagonally
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          I never think a leash or harness is a good idea for a rabbit because they can be dangerous. A rabbit can break their limbs or neck (which is fatal) by being restrained when trying to run. Even people and rabbits that frequently use harnesses can and do have fatal accidents. It’s never been worth the risk for me. It would be much safer to set up and supervise outside play time with a bunny in an X-Pen.

          For temperature, bunnies deal with cold better than they do heat. I don’t think you have to worry about it being too cold until it’s under 10C (50F).


        • Hazel
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            Agree completely with MoveDiagonally. Leashes are dangerous and not recommended. An x-pen is the way to go. Even then I wouldn’t do it at the park, since anything could have used the area as a bathroom and left parasites and the such for your bunny to pick up. The grass could also have been treated with pesticides. If you have a yard that’s untreated and safe from other animals, you could set up a pen there.


          • Priya
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            39 posts Send Private Message

              I thought harnesses were safe! They are always advertising them for bunnies 

               

              I don’t have ANY outdoor space and it’s a walkout basement. And my apartment is always warm, even without the heat on it’s 24/25 C (really well insulated). I don’t even turn the heat on during winter. That’s why I was wondering what to do.


            • Roberta
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              4355 posts Send Private Message

                Hi Priya,
                Buns are quite happy to live indoors 24/7… My spoiled rotten ratbags would probably bite me if I tried to put them outside where there are no fluffy cushions, cosy blankies, big food dishes and luxurious hay trays.
                We have a big problem with diseases like Myxo and Calici here so it’s just not worth the risk. Add the incredible number of wild, feral and domestic predators and the thought of them being outside even with me there leaves me feeling ill.


              • MoveDiagonally
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                  There are quite a few products advertised for bunnies that are not safe or healthy (a lot of pellet brands, treats, and toys are harmful but marketed for rabbits). Harnesses are one of those things. It just takes one good scare and a rabbit can panic in a harness and break their limbs, neck, or back.

                  If you don’t have a good outside space I wouldn’t worry about it. It’s not going to hurt her not to go outside.


                • Bam
                  Moderator
                  16838 posts Send Private Message

                    I agree with the rest, a house-rabbit doesn’t absolutely need walks outdoors. Imo the risks are greater than the benefits, since the bunny would have to walk on a leash which would effectively hinder most natural rabbit outdoors behaviour like running, hiding, jumping etc. Bunny could like sniffing the grass but then again – the pleasure of sniffing grass may not out-weigh the risks.

                    My bunnys have an outdoors hutch/run fo summer use. I suggest you set up a (perhaps portable) play-pen for next spring instead of taking your bun for walks. A temperature of 17 degrees C is no problem though. Generally an indoors rabbit tolerate temperatures 10 degrees below indoors temp and an out-doors rabbit tolerate 10 degrees above outside temp (this can be important if you f ex are planning to neuter an outdoors rabbit or if you have your bunny live outdoors all summer.)


                  • Bam
                    Moderator
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                      Oh, and my numbers on temperature regards cold climates and heated houses. If the outdoor’s temp is like 35 degrees C of course an outdoors rabbit can’t cope with an indoor’s temp of 45 dg C.

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                  Forum DIET & CARE Can I take my bunny out to the park in this weather?