Rabbit questions

BridgetJones_2

Blackpool_Saver wrote: »

Bring it inside, no question.
Please, just do it.

Please don't feel like you have to follow this advice. It's highly unlikely your friends rabbit died because of the cold. He probably had something else wrong with him and sorry to sound harsh but it doesn't sound like he was well cared for.

Rabbits grow thick winter coats & have fat stores as insulation. You've done everything correct so far, although I would suggest getting him some company asap. The body heat will keep them snug! Couldn't you ask for donations towards a new bigger hutch for xmas or check Ebay (I sold my old 6ft on there). Also the worst environments for a rabbits are heat and inconsistency i.e. drafts so having the cover on there will stop that.

If it makes you feel any better on the coldest night of year when it was completely frosted up outside my bunnies pushed all their hay & straw into one half of their hutch and were sat directly on the cold tiles! Mad little things!

Here are mine;

clutterydrawer

He will be fine hun - definitely don't feel you have to bring him inside. Plenty of buns live outside all year round and are fine - you have NO proof your friend's rabbit died of the cold.

Rabbits are designed to live outdoors and as long as he has plenty of bedding should he need it, he'll be ok. Keep an eye on his water bottle to make sure it doesn't freeze though as dehydration can be very dangerous for a rabbit. I also second the idea of getting his a lady friend from a rescue, then they can snuggle together.

And on a side note...personally I find it acceptable to keep house rabbits in a *large* cage provided they have some free range time each day. It would be lovely if all rabbits could have 24/7 free range over a large area but sadly there are around 30,000 rabbits currently in rescue and there's never going to be enough space for them *all* to have those conditions.

Best of luck with him and with his new lady when you get her

Loopy_Girl

Thank you to you all for your reassurance.

I can honestly say that I don't worry at all about him since I started this thread - and I genuinely mean that

Don't worry, I would never ever bring him in. He's an outdoor bun and that's the way he stays.

House bunnies are fine if they are used to being in the house...bringing Max in would be like punting a house bunny out in the cold. The shock would probably kill them.

With regards to getting a new hutch (can't remember who said!!), it is for the spring. Unfortunately there is no spare money for an extravangence like a new hutch just now as Santa's credit card is going to melt if she uses it anymore and I wouldn't feel it's appropriate to ask my parents for money for a Christmas gift at 33 - it's a bit cheeky!!!
Rest assured it's on the list for early spring and then get him his girlfriend too! I don't want to waste the hutch I have so am maybe thinking of a couple of guinea pigs for there...am going to be like bloody Dr Doolittle!!!!!! That's what happens when you don't have a boyfriend I suppose!!!!!:rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl:

Sincerely, thank you all. xx:D

*Katie*_3

You'll end up with hundreds! :rotfl:
I started with Dumpling and Treacle then rescued Dusty and then Meggie (another rescue) followed as a friend for him! :eek:
Next on my list is a giant house rabbit.......:rotfl:

UKTigerlily

*Katie* wrote: »

He will be fine, please don't bring him in at night and out during the day, that will make him ill! :eek:
From what you have said you are pretty clued up on bunnies which is good, so many people that have a rabbit aren't! Only thing I would do differently is the woodshavings, mine have newspaper on the floor, cat litter in their litter trays (buns are pretty easy to toilet train and makes it loads easier to clean out!) and tons of hay in their bedroom, but that is your choice

Here are pics of my monsters, who all live outside quite happily with their thick fur coats and cover over the hutch, it is draughts you need to worry about more than cold, but as long as he has cover and warm bed he'll be fine! (With snuggle safes some bunnies won't use them, my awkward lot will just push them out the way and I've never seen them use one. :rolleyes: )

Treacle at front and Dumpling at back


Meggie at front and Dusty at back

Cute bunnies & I love Magpies my first bunny was a mag!

lbt_2

BridgetJones wrote: »

Please don't feel like you have to follow this advice. It's highly unlikely your friends rabbit died because of the cold. He probably had something else wrong with him and sorry to sound harsh but it doesn't sound like he was well cared for.

Rabbits grow thick winter coats & have fat stores as insulation. You've done everything correct so far, although I would suggest getting him some company asap. The body heat will keep them snug! Couldn't you ask for donations towards a new bigger hutch for xmas or check Ebay (I sold my old 6ft on there). Also the worst environments for a rabbits are heat and inconsistency i.e. drafts so having the cover on there will stop that.

If it makes you feel any better on the coldest night of year when it was completely frosted up outside my bunnies pushed all their hay & straw into one half of their hutch and were sat directly on the cold tiles! Mad little things!

Here are mine;

Hi

Another place you could try for a bigger hutch is freecycle. I am in Hertfordshire and they always seem to come up. If you put out a request for one you would probably have it by the weekend!!! I put out a request for some apple tree branches at the weekend for my bunnies to nibble and I have loads already - twopeople cut some branches to my spec and said to come back when I need some more!! How kind is that?

Your little one sounds very well cared for (and warm) so don't worry on that front, but I would definitely get a friend sooner rather than later. They love the company and my two snuggle up all the time - and I love seeing them wash each other

BJ and loopy girl (and everyone else), thanks so much for your advice a couple of months ago - I felt much better prepared after so much help. I now have my two dutch bunnies - Carly and Olly, and they are an absolute joy I love going outside in the freezing cold first thing in the morning - as soon as I say 'good morning bunnies' (original I know ) I see two little twitching noses beneath the hutch cover.

Loopy_Girl

Am so happy you are enjoying the buns lbt

Notsosharp

Hi,

I have a rabbit, single female and she seems lonely. I was unsure about two things really.

One: She is getting territorial about her hutch and will growl at me when I put my hand in to stroke her. She is fine when she is out and about (though shes like a lot of other rabbits in that she does not like being picked up) . Is there anything I can do to stop this without the risk of getting bitten (so far she has only nudged with her nose)?

The second thing is I have read on here that she will need a friend but I have had conflicting advice from the guy at the pet shop who says it is too late to introduce another rabbit. He has owned rabbits for most of his life so I think he would know and I also know that a friend that had a female and a castrated rabbit together and the female killed the male. I don't really want to risk that happening but is it possible that she could get used to a friend eventually?

I am really not used to rabbits though I do like them and I would like any advice really. Thanks

Ps: How do you litter train a rabbit, I think bringing her inside so she can get used to us might help

kitschkitty

Notsosharp wrote: »

Hi,

I have a rabbit, single female and she seems lonely. I was unsure about two things really.

One: She is getting territorial about her hutch and will growl at me when I put my hand in to stroke her. She is fine when she is out and about (though shes like a lot of other rabbits in that she does not like being picked up) . Is there anything I can do to stop this without the risk of getting bitten (so far she has only nudged with her nose)?

The second thing is I have read on here that she will need a friend but I have had conflicting advice from the guy at the pet shop who says it is too late to introduce another rabbit. He has owned rabbits for most of his life so I think he would know and I also know that a friend that had a female and a castrated rabbit together and the female killed the male. I don't really want to risk that happening but is it possible that she could get used to a friend eventually?

I am really not used to rabbits though I do like them and I would like any advice really. Thanks

Ps: How do you litter train a rabbit, I think bringing her inside so she can get used to us might help

Shes reached sexual maturity hence the territorial behaviour. This can normally be resolved by spaying (which also has a lot of health benefits for your bunny).

Bunnies Love company, but they won't always just bond with the first bunny you put them with. Many rescues can help you with the bonding process to help you find her the right husbun (as it does require some time and effort).

Notsosharp

kitschkitty wrote: »

Shes reached sexual maturity hence the territorial behaviour. This can normally be resolved by spaying (which also has a lot of health benefits for your bunny).

Bunnies Love company, but they won't always just bond with the first bunny you put them with. Many rescues can help you with the bonding process to help you find her the right husbun (as it does require some time and effort).

Thanks for replying, I don't suppose you know of any rabbit rescues near Bradford?