To get rid of our pet rabbits??

[Mashedpotatobutty]

We have 2 rabbits who we have had for 4 years. Originally they lived outside in a spacious hutch with access during the day to a sectioned off area of the garden. Then we had some problems with the neighbours cats and dogs getting in to our garden and scaring the rabbits, clawing at their hutch and basically making it so that the rabbits couldn’t even go in their run without feeling threatened. We sorted the fence to stop the dogs getting in but the cats we obviously can’t stop climbing over.

So we moved the rabbits indoors. They had free roam of the downstairs and all was ok until they started chewing through wires and furniture after a year despite having lots of toys etc. We have now made them a large pen but since putting them in there they have decided they are no longer litter trained so the entire floor of their area gets covered in poo and wee. It stinks despite daily cleaning. My whole downstairs stinks and I’m at the point where I don’t know whether we’d all be better off trying to regime them. The children say they love them but barely acknowledge their existence.

WWYD??

Speak to the neighbors about their pets trying to kill yours?

Can't you look into stopping the cats getting in your garden? Studs on the walls/fence, that 'get off' stuff or similar?
Seems a bit mean to get rid of the rabbits.

Could you buy a big garden shed? I had to give my rabbits away because one was very vicious and territorial and kept attacking me ( they were house rabbits and I couldn't put them outside as we had a shared garden) they went to someone that had converted their garden shed into a giant hutch.

Get a secure hutch and run and put them outside. Cats shouldn’t really bother fully grown adult rabbits but if they do chase them off with a water pistol a few times and they will stop coming in your garden.

How long have they been in the pen? Changes of environment always lead to short term forgetting of litter training IME. It's a territory thing.

My rabbit lived 11 years...

Also don't put them back our yet if they've been inside for a while - their coats won't be thick enough.

They’ve been in their pen about 3 months now. They were so good before. The fence with the neighbours cats is too low so the cats can jump it without having to even rest on it, they’re refusing to get a higher fence too. It’s the fact that they live so long making me wonder if they’ll be better off elsewhere. They don’t seem overly happy, we talk to them a lot, stroke them, groom them and try to give them as many natural toys as we can but they just don’t seem happy. Unless I’m expecting too much of them, they literally sit snuggle each other all day which is very cute apart from their smell.

They don’t seem overly happy, we talk to them a lot, stroke them, groom them ...Unless I’m expecting too much of them, they literally sit snuggle each other all day which is very cute apart from their smell

If they sit and snuggle all day they are content. I don't think people realise until they get a second one just how deep their bond is and most bunnies don't need or want human interaction (except feed!).

What litter are they on and, crucially, where is their hay in relation to the rest of the set up?

We used to rescue rabbits, our last one was 12 when he died.
I would wait until the weather begins to warm up and make preparations for them to go back outside.
A small shed or playhouse is perfect with a run with a roof attached. There are so many ideas online if you google.
please try to keep them and continue the care you have been giving to them, rabbit rescues are full to capacity and older rabbits struggle to find good new homes.
As they get older I find they do like to sit with their bonded pal, and groom each other, usually in a warm or sunny spot.They go through fazes like this, but I find they are happier in outdooor safe and spacious accommodation living the natural life a rabbit should have. Good luck with them, be nice to see a pic of them, I love rabbits 🐇

For context I've had my current pair seven years and they never want affection of any sort, only if there are treats involved. They mostly just lie on top of one another and lick each-other and snooze together. I've just accepted that they only want to be appreciated from afar.

I've had I think one rabbit my whole life that sought out human company but as he was an un-neutered buck that was probably territoriality masquerading as interaction!

We use non clumping wood litter, have used the same for years. It’s not near their hay as that’s in their cage, they don’t soil at all in their cage. Their main place for weeing is right next to where their litter tray is, we moved the tray but then they started weeing where it was if that makes sense. Oh they do absolutely adore each other, it’s lovely to see.

The fence with the neighbours cats is too low so the cats can jump it without having to even rest on it, they’re refusing to get a higher fence too
You can still get a higher fence and put it on your side of their fence. Or cheaper alternative spray cats with water pistol, as prickles said above, they'll soon get the message.

If you can find a differently shaped litter box or even get more than one to cover the pee spot (I think I once had three litter boxes on the go at once when mine were confused!), then fix a hay rack over it for them to pull from. Mine have always, always 'shit where they eat' so it may be worth a go.

And tirelessly picking up the poop and putting it back in the litter box, of course!

Please don't re-home OP - they might get split up

I second the Photo pls! Will dig one out too.

Hi OP, I'm involved with a rabbit rescue and people don't realise how bad the rabbit welfare situation is in the UK - they are the 3rd most popular pet but the most neglected. Your bunnies have a loving home with you where all their needs are met, if you rehome them the chances are high they'll no longer have that - please, please keep them on! As a pp said, if they're snuggling together most of the day they are content.

The regression in litter training is most likely frustration due to the reduction in space from what they're used to, don't want this post to turn into a novel but you're more than welcome to PM me for some advice!

put them back outside.
Make a secure run, with a roof, you can buy chicken runs that will do, attach it to their hutch.

If it isn;t fox proof, then shut them into the hutch at night and let them out during the day. It is quite hard to make it fox proof!

Or, if it is one corner of your garden, you could use netting to keep the cat out? Even fruit netting. Just make sure they are secure in hutch at night.

They sound very happy, just need to get them out of your house!

I can understand your frustrations but agree you should try to keep them if you can. However you are not unreasonable to consider rehomjng then if you can’t keep them. We had almost the opposite scenario. We’ve had our rabbits for 2.5 years and they started off as house rabbits, although that’s not what we intended when we bought them. To be honest I got them not knowing much at all about rabbits and intended to put them out in a standard hutch but as soon a I got them I decided to keep them indoors. They damaged things as they do but we were planning it refurb the whole house so it didn’t matter so much. Once the house had been done up (to sell) I didn’t want them in the house any more and we got them a shed which seems to be working. We put them outside last year before it got too cold and they seem to be coping ok but it’s difficult for me to clean them and things especially now that I am 39 weeks pregnant. We are moving next month and the new house has a garage so I intend tonhiuse them in there but I do worry now they don’t have enough space. I’m reluctant to rehouse them though. There was also a period where we thought we might have to rent and I wasn’t sure how we’d deal with that but luckily we’ve managed to agree with our buyer that we stay in our current home for a bit longer.

My point is I can understand how difficult it can be to house rabbits but I think you should try to keep them. What worries me (about my own rabbits) is that I don’t know what would happen to them after I’d passed them on.

I’ve just been out and bought extra litter trays to put in, a hay rack is on order to arrive tomorrow also. If we can crack this then there is no problem, it’s causing a lot of tension at the moment as it’s just constant mess even 5 minutes after cleaning them. Whilst it’s contained in their pen it doesn’t look good when we have visitors etc and is making us feel a bit crap about our home. I’m going to discuss adding an extra layer on to their pen too, it’s one of those C&C type ones with their 5ft cage in a part of it. They still have a decent space but it is less than free roaming obviously. If we add an extra layer on part of it with some hidey holes they may be happier too. I do wish they could be outside but we don’t have the space for an extra shed and can’t afford the fencing so they can stay as house bunnies.

I have no idea how to add a photo from my phone?

I’m posting from my phone too OP

Under the box where you type your reply, there are three circles, the third one being a paper clip. If you click on that you should be able to add a photo from your camera or library

We had two rabbits made a second hand shed into their home with a run alongside with mesh over the top

This is my French lop

My initial thought was, f that rehome them!
Then I read some of the replies and changed my mind.. You really don't know where they'll end up or if they'll be taken care of. Someone might use them as bait or neglect them. When it gets a bit warmer I would get something more secure, maybe get like a cat repellent spray (is that a thing??) or something to keep the cats out- google is your best friend. Just try not to kick them outside just yet, it's far too cold.

This is my French lop

Have a look at Manor Pet Housing, their outdoor set ups are amazing and not too expensive for what they are x