How often do you get your rabbit out?

[Mymothersdaughter]

We've got a house bunny who lives indoors in a relatively large cage. We let her out twice a day, often for a few hours in the evening until she gets restless and starts reeking havoc.

How often should we be getting her out? It can be quite disruptive having her running around while we are trying to do things but wouldn't want to leave her couped up all the time. What do other people do?

[FernieB]

What do mean by wreaking havoc? What does she do?

I'm on my second house bunny and both have been free range and never shut in. My Current Bun has a cage in the utility but it's always open so he can come and go as he pleases. His litter tray is there and food bowls. He spends most of his time in his basket by the kitchen radiator but can roam the house freely if he wishes. I love having him wandering about. The worst he gets up to is 'inappropriate chewing' but all our cables are protected and he has plenty of cardboard to chew.

[bunnygirl80]

My house rabbit was completely free range. We shut the doors to rooms she wasn't allowed unsupervised when we weren't there.

Now have an outdoor rabbit who roams free whenever we're home. She's actually better behaved inside than the house rabbit ever was.

[dalmatianmad]

My 2 rabbits have the run of the shed which is quite big, they have a hutch in there which they seem to go in and snuggle down, they are nearly 10 so I figure I'm doing something right

My neighbour however, keeps her poor bunny in the tiniest hutch on the fucking drive, she cleans it out and feeds it when she remembers, it gets no attention and for most of the day it's view consists of the front of her car, I keep its water bottle topped up and try and sneak it some nice veg, makes me so fucking angry I keep thinking about kidnapping it

[Mymothersdaughter]

Helpful answers. It would be good if she could roam free but she eats the carpet and as we are renting I don't really want to have to pay for a new carpet when we move out.

She isn't toilet trained, like she's not bad at going in her toilet (which is always out in the same place when she is running around) but she does pee on things :-s

We tried creating a room for her to run around a bit more in but she kept getting out.

I just feel cruel. I never wanted to get her because of the impracticality of having a house rabbit in a house where she can't roam free (because of the renting thing). But she hates being cooped up.

She's usually quite good when we first get her out, and just skips around but then she starts getting naughty, scratching at things and chewing the carpet (although she's good at not chewing wires etc). I'm just terrified she'll cause damage to the house which is a problem as it's not our house!

[Evenstar]

Mine have a large hutch outside, and are let out in their run every morning, they only stay in during the day if the weather is really awful.

[timelytess]

Not so much. There's only one of four at home now and he died in April. The digging would be a bit much...

Sorry. Couldn't resist.

I had four. They were free range houserabbits until they'd destroyed almost everything I had. They had caged off areas after that, and came out daily for years, less as they became fairly elderly.

All died this year, three pts when they became ill and one suddenly, at home.

My conclusion, after having house rabbits for nine years and various pairs of rabbits throughout my life - 'Never Again'.

[rightsaidfrederickII]

Aww dalmationmad

Do you think she actually still wants it? Perhaps you could say that your kids want a new rabbit and you're looking for an older one / your rabbits need more company / similar, and see if she's happy to let you get rid of it?

Otherwise, just make it look like the fox got in - spirit the rabbit away, leave the door open, sprinkle some blood around... they'll never know

[AgathaF]

Please kidnap it dalmatianmad. Makes me lived to see rabbits caged in tiny hutches with no stimulation. People are so cruel.

Mymothersdaughter - the scratching and chewing are not naughty, the rabbit's doing what it should do to keep its teeth and claws from growing too long. Could she spend time in the garden to wear them down on the hard floor instead?

[Mymothersdaughter]

Oh thanks agatha I'm literally clueless I've given her some wood to chew but she doesn't really chew wood or cardboard... just the carpet!! Might go to pets at home and try and get a chew toy. We haven't had her snipped yet either so don't know if that will help.

[AgathaF]

I wonder if a cat scratch thing might work? Not one of the tall posts, but something that lies along the ground for her to chew on and scratch.

[Horsegirl1]

Twice a day usually but can be once a week at times

[FranticalFidget]

Two pet threads that have made me go at first glance today.

This and the 'what is the best cage for a Syrian' one.

[KingJoffreysRestingCuntface]

Mine runs free and helps with household tasks.

Here she is pumpkin carving. She also doubles up as a hoover for dropped Cheerios and similar.

She has her own bedroom she goes into at night. Is the extension with a stair gate across the archway. Her cage and toys are in there too but I think she sleeps on the sofa in there.

[KingJoffreysRestingCuntface]

If your bun is chewing the carpet get her some wicker/seagrass toys.

[AgathaF]

Lots of rabbits love footballs to play with to. All helps to keep them stimulated and stop boredom.

[dalmatianmad]

Agatha and Fredrick it breaks my heart, I don't get on with her, recently reported her to social care because she treats her dc appallingly sometimes.
She hasn't uncovered it for the late 3 days, I've asked around but don't know anyone who will take it, I couldn't keep it myself because she can see straight into my shed so would see it running around.....
I've rang the RSPCA but they weren't interested

[Mymothersdaughter]

These tips have been great. She's now got her own special wicker basket and wood to chew to her hearts content. I've been telling her no when she chews the carpet and she's starting to learn a bit (not great though!) I don't think I'll ever be able to leave her out but at least she's more entertained when she is out.

One more question- she makes a weird noise, sounds a bit like a human snore. It's very loud noise (for a rabbit anyway) and makes it as she runs around. What does that mean?

[KingJoffreysRestingCuntface]

My bun does the snore.

She also does snorts of derision. Clearly coping Sheldon on TBBT.

She stamps her feet if you're eating and don't offer her a bit.

Bunnies are pretty weird.

[Mymothersdaughter]

Haha she thumped once but I've never seen her thump otherwise- it was when i didn't get her out and she wasn't happy!

[lemonzest123]

My bunnehs have a huge dog pen but I try to let them out every day. You say she's not toilet trained - where are you putting her feeding hay? Buns tend to shit where they eat so that may be it. The carpet thing is part and parcel of having a bun bun...they love it. My little one needs constant supervision or she would eat literally everything including walls and floor.

[KingJoffreysRestingCuntface]

Poos just kind of fall out of my bun as she bounces along.

I have a hand held hoover for these events. I call it my Poover.

[lemonzest123]

Haha amazing. That sounds like scent marking to me. My bins would do this if a stranger or another animal had been in their space

[AgathaF]

dalmatianmad - that's such a shame. Would you be willing to say roughly where you are in case anyone here can rehome?

[Mymothersdaughter]

I NEED A POOVER! This takes life to a whole new level.