Can I Let My Rabbit Outdoors?

July 5, 2017

Rabbits were born to run wild across wide open fields, so it makes sense to let them outside, especially in the summertime when the weather is warmer. But beware. These fluffy pets can run into trouble if you don’t take the proper precautions to protect them while outside.

The outdoors can be a great source of stimulation and exercise for your rabbit, but there are dangers lurking in your garden that you might not be aware of. So getting to know these dangers is your first step in making sure your garden is a safe place for your rabbit to run free. Let's take a look at some of the most common dangers:

Dangers Lurking In Your Garden

1. Weedkiller and fertilizer. If you’ve recently treated your garden with weed killer, pesticides, or fertilizer, then you could be putting your rabbit at risk. Rabbits love to forage and grass is the perfect snack for them to chew on. But if it’s laden with toxins, it will make your rabbit very sick. 
2. Poisonous Plants. Quite a few plants are poisonous to your rabbit like buttercups, oak leaves, and poppies, so inspect your garden before letting your rabbit outside and familiarize yourself with the the full list of potential toxins from the House Rabbit Society.
3. Predators. Unfortunately, rabbits have many enemies like cats, dogs, foxes, coyotes, raccoons, and birds of prey. So make sure your rabbit is never left unsupervised when he or she is outside. Rabbits get stressed very easily and can die from the shock of an attempted attack. So take care.

Build A Secure Rabbit Run

If you are going to let your rabbit run wild out in the garden, you’re going to need to build a run. A hutch with a run would be ideal, as the hutch would provide shade and is a great place to store some food and water. You can also opt for a penned-in area, but make sure it has a top and bottom to keep the predators out and your rabbit safe inside. Rabbits and predators like to dig, so any kind of pen or run must have a secure floor and roof.

Try A Rabbit Harness

Another option is to buy a harness for your rabbit and take them out for a walk around the garden. It might take some time for your rabbit to get used to the experience, but eventually they’ll look forward to it the same way a dog loves to go out for a walk.

Just a few options for you to look into this summer, so your rabbit can get outside and enjoy the great outdoors like the rest of us animals!

by Natalie Secretan
Professional Dog Walker
PuppyDogCapers.com

Photo credit: Sheng P. - Bunny bathing in the afternoon sun