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.
LEADERS: Beka27 BinkyBunny Elrohwen KokaneeandKahlua LittlePuffyTail Peppypoo RabbitPam Sarita
well this morning i took Cookie outside for the very first time. (good the the yip yapping dogs were out i'm surrounded by them!!!) it was very nerve racking. i kept him on the padio b/c i didn't know if it was ok if Cookie eat the grass. B/c like i said neighborhood is full of dogs. so all the wild bunnies are in my yard. So is it ok if i took Cookie outside to play?
When you take your bunny outside, there are a few things you want to watch out for...the fact that there are dogs around means that you need to watch out for loose dags getting into your yard, Cookie will not be as good at getting away from them as the wild rabbits! Also, watch out for any birds like hawks coming down - these birds can pick up smaller bunnies. It can be dangerous for bunnies outsdie, so I'd reccomend thinking about bringing a pen outside with some kind of lid on it, or a sheet over it, that way it will be easier for you to keep an eye on Cookie, as well as make sure she is safe. Also, that way if something scares her she won't go running into another yard - especially one where there is a dog (yikes). My bunnies don't go outside at all...but I do know that some bunnies enjoy it!
Also, make sure you family isnt spraying any "weed" like the dandelions buns love to eat. Sometimes you may not know so make sure you ask you family if they have treated the yard or sprayed any of the weeds. We no longer use any of this stuff because of all our wild buns.
I have already bought a harness for Cooper. He is such a good bun and he will be fun to take outside. So here soon we will go to grandmas house in the country and see what he thinks. Im thinking he has been outside prior to us adopting him because he does tend to bolt toward the door if one of us goes outside.
The other thing to watch for is for fleas. So when you rabbit is out and about, just make sure that you check fur for fleas everyday, as one can jump on and in a week or two you have fleas all over your bunny. Easy enough to treat, but better to spot early to prevent discomfort or digestion which can cause worms.
Also, if you have raccoons that venture around your house at night often, then you do need to be careful as some may carry disease that is passed on via their left behind urine on the grass.
Ive heard that squirrels carry mites and fleas? we have a few that like to play in our trash and they venture up on our porch. We plan to take Cooper outside but will probably do it at my mominlaws who lives in the country.