[Inaru]

Is it all right to be letting my bunny outside when the weather is nice? I usually bundle him up in a small pet collar (the kind that buckles together in two places, around the neck and stomach) and tie him to a long, thin leash.

[Alty]

Of course it's okay for bunny to play outside. Just make sure to keep an eye out while he's on the leash, just to make sure he doesn't get tangled up.

Also, if he's on grass, make sure that the lawn hasn't been fertilized. Your bunny will eat the grass and weeds and fertilizer can kill him if it's ingested.

[Inaru]

Thanks. I was just making sure it wasn't harmful for him to eat too much grass or something crazy like that. :] or fleas...

[Alty]

Bunny's are pretty good about not eating more then they should. They have an amazing digestive system. :)

As for fleas, it depends on where you live. Just keep an eye out, check your bunny regularly. :)

[shazamataz]

Rabbits are outside animals... I know Alty is going to disagree with me but you don't see many wild rabbits running into people houses :p

Mine love being outside, even if they do eat more grass than they do run around...

I also use a push mower to mow my lawns so there isn't any petrol/gas residue :)

[Alty]

Rabbits are outside animals... I know Alty is gonna disagree with me but you don't see many wild rabbits running into people houses :p

Mine love being outside, even if they do eat more grass than they do run around...

I also use a push mower to mow my lawns so there isn't any petrol/gas residue :)

I don't disagree at all Shaz, bunny's are outdoor animals. Sadly, where I live, there's only a few month a year that it's actually warm enough for the bunnies to be outside.

Even with the best hutch money can buy, -40 degrees celsius is way too cold.

During the spring and summer months my bunnies spend a lot of time outside. :)

[shazamataz]

Aww thanks Alty :)
I thought you were Anti-bunnies being outside, must have read something wrong! :o

It gets pretty cold here... middle of winter it can hit -2C but we cover them up at night then so they don't get the frost..

Certainly doesn't get cold enough to snow though so it's all good!

Unrelated but it reminded me of a story... You know my bunny Jack?
A few years ago he got out of his hutch... I posted missing posters everywhere and the next day these 2 gay guys who live across the road came over and they had found him... about an hour after he went missing! They had him sleeping in the house in front of the fire, he must have thought he was in heaven...

Anyway... about 6 months later we noticed in the paddock next the their house there were little grey rabbits with lop ears running about... He ha a bit of fun duing his escape!!

[Alty]

I'm on the fence about indoor versus outdoor. It depends on the climate you live in, whether there are predators around, lots of different things.

I prefer indoor because I can interact with them more, also because here it's just to darn cold during the winter.

The problem that I have with outdoor is that most people tend to forget about their bunnies if they are outdoors. Water freezes, escape is easier, predators lurk, etc. etc. But, if the person is an experienced rabbit owner, knows what to look out for, then I'm all for outdoor bunnies.

Most people aren't experienced rabbit owners though. Therein lies the problem.

I've seen pictures of your bunny enclosure Shaz. I'm so happy that you have bunny's, I know that your fur babies are well cared for and loved. :)

[shazamataz]

Aww thanks Alty :) *big hugs*

And yes, I agree with you, I can't stand those tiny little hutches... they just put their rabbit in there and throw them some food...
Some people don't think about the weather either... I mean I only put a big piece of shade cloth over mine but it keeps the nasty weather and morning ice out.

I'll post some pics when the bunny mansion is finished!

It's a 2x2 meter pen that's a little over a meter high (tall enough for me to just bend over a bit to get in there) and at the back I'm going to make some multi level bits for them to get off the ground plus the back half of Doras old 2 story hutch will will fit nicely inside..

oh yes... I have plans lol

[Alty]

I can't wait to see the pictures Shaz.

I've got big outdoor bunny hutch plans this year too. I'm building them a castle!

This is going to take a while, but I'll post pics when I'm done too.

They'll still be indoors during the winter, but spring and summer they'll be outdoor bunny's during the day, brought in at night. :)

[shazamataz]

Yep, that's the best way to do it :)
Especially in Polar bear and igloo land :p

[Alty]

Yep, that's the best way to do it :)
Especially in Polar bear and igloo land :p

LMAO! When I told Sneezy that there aren't polar bears in my neck of the woods, he was crushed. No igloos either, or penguins. Poor kid, I totally squished all his illusions.

We do have bunny's though, and plenty of them, mostly thanks to me. ;)

[shazamataz]

What because you and your husband go at it like rabb... to far? :D