You probably know that rabbits need a lot of exercise; these are not animals that should be cooped up in a cage for long periods of time. That being said, you must also make sure that the exercise they take is safe and stress free. With this in mind, a lot of people wonder whether it is OK to take their rabbit out and about. But can you take your rabbit to the park?
Although taking a rabbit to a park is legal in many countries, parks and large open spaces can be very dangerous for a pet rabbit. As well as the risk of the rabbit escaping, many parks are home to animals that may see your pet rabbit as prey.
Much more than this, there are many things to consider when taking your rabbit outdoors, even if it is just in your own backyard. Let’s take a closer look at everything you need to know.
Can I Take My Rabbit To The Park?
When you keep your rabbit in your own backyard, you can feel pretty confident that no harm will come to your precious pet. You are in control of what, if any, chemicals are used in the garden. If you do have any other pets that might frighten your rabbits, you can keep them out of the garden while your rabbit is outside.
However, the moment that you leave the comfort of your own property, you are no longer in control. Try as you might to avoid any problems, there are many risks to your rabbit. To begin with, it is vital to keep in mind that rabbits don’t typically take very well to new environments. It is highly likely that if you take your rabbit to the park, it will become stressed out because it isn’t familiar with it’s new surroundings.
Furthermore, there are likely to be a wealth of other people and animals at the park and this could quickly scare your rabbit. Whereas you and I may encourage the friendly sniffles and licks from a curious dog, this could be enough to startle your rabbit to death.
It is also worth considering that the weather can get very warm. Depending on where you are in the world, summer temperatures could soar well into the nineties and beyond. Rabbits do not take well to hot temperatures and being in an exposed location such as a park could cause them to overheat very quickly.
We have mentioned the use of pesticides in a public space like a park. This is one of the most important factors when considering whether to exercise your rabbit here. You can never be sure of what has been used but you can be sure that your rabbit will enjoy tasting the local grass and foliage. This is something you will have a lot of trouble stopping and if your rabbit ingests these chemicals, it could be fatal.
If you want to give your rabbit some outdoor time, the best thing you can do is to rabbit-proof your own backyard and allow your pet to explore in safety.
Can I Take My Rabbit For A Walk?
Believe it or not, it is actually possible to purchase a rabbit leash and harness. While this might look adorable, that’s about the only advantage of this type of equipment. Rabbits are not meant to be tied to a leash and paraded around an outdoor space. They don’t like it which could be stressful. But more importantly, it could be dangerous.
Rabbits won’t walk on a lead like a dog would. In fact, if you try to leash your rabbit, you’ll probably find that you don’t do much walking at all. Instead, your rabbit will likely sit still and nibble on the grass. If you’re lucky, you’ll get a few steps out of your pet, but this is certainly not the best form of exercise for them.
What’s more, a rabbit leash poses a serious potential risk to these small furry animals. If you are in the park and a person or dog approaches your pet to fuss them, this could startle them. We all know how timid rabbits can be, especially around people they aren’t familiar with. When this happens, the rabbit’s instinct is to make a run for it. But if they are attached to a leash, this will likely result in an injury.
Rather than taking your rabbit for a walk, which is likely to be a challenging experience for you both, you could try making a rabbit run in your garden. You will know your pet is safe and you are in control.
Can I Take An Indoor Rabbit Outside For A Walk?
A lot of people keep their rabbits outdoors and this gives them a certain degree of resilience when compared to a house rabbit. However, if you have decided to keep your rabbit in the house, you must keep in mind that it will still need regular exercise. Although, you shouldn’t leash your rabbit, they need space to hop, jump, and run around.
It is perfectly viable to allow your rabbit to have free roaming time around the house, but all animals need some fresh air and sunlight. That being said, the outdoors can be a frightening environment for a bunny that has spent most of its life indoors. So, before you take them outside for the first time, there are a few things you should think about.
How Do I Get My Rabbit Used To Being Outside?
Primarily, you should consider that rabbits feel most comfortable when they are in a familiar spot. For this reason, it is essential that you always place your rabbit in the same part of the garden every time they go outdoors. This will allow them to feel more relaxed and enjoy their play time.
In addition to this, you should think about whether you and your bun have a strong bond. It takes a while for rabbits to get used to their owners, and if you’ve ever owned one, you will be familiar with how patient you need to be. That being said, this usually pays off and the rabbit will begin to trust you. But you should never attempt to take your pet outdoors until they feel comfortable around you and you are confident that they will handle the new environment.
Furthermore, owners should be prepared to make or purchase a playpen or rabbit run. Not only will this keep the rabbits in an enclosed space and prevent them from escaping, but it will also ensure that they feel familiar with the space. The playpen should give your rabbit enough room to properly exercise and it is vital to keep in mind that the sides should be high or there should be a roof. After all, rabbits can jump up to four feet!
Finally, when your rabbit is playing outdoors, you should make sure that it has access to food and water, just as you would indoors. This is particularly important on hot days as your rabbit will need to stay hydrated to avoid heatstroke. Additionally, you may wish to provide your rabbit with some sort of shaded shelter when they spend time outdoors.
