To get a rabbit when I have a dog?

[Bunnyanddog]

NC as it’s fairly clear who I am if anyone knows me. We have a working cocker spaniel who has been castrated and is 5. He’s playful and completely non aggressive. I would like to get a rabbit, I’m just conscious that they can have heart attacks out of fear and I think it would be nice to let the rabbit free in the garden when we are out there, just want to know if anyone else has a rabbit and a dog and what type of dog/how to introduce and if it works?

we had many, many rabbits going up but our house had 2 separate gardens so the dogs (jack Russells) never mixed with them and anyway it’s quite different owning a pet as an adult who has all the responsibility, as opposed to a child who has all the fun 😃

It will live a short, unhappy life and die of stress

@jimmyhill

what are your bunny credentials?

Yes it can but it depends on the rabbit and the dog. You need a dog that has a low prey drive, well trained, calm and submissive.

Then you need a rabbit that is confident easy going and relaxed. There are rabbit facebook groups and I have seen it.

So the first question is is your dog the above?

Then rabbits can live both inside and outside - would the dog be ok with it inside.

I've had dogs and rabbits all my life and would only introduce a puppy to the rabbit . I've lost a rabbit before when my dog was just looking at her through her hutch , very fragile creatures .
I love rabbits and would like a Rex but my two dogs are adults and I know they'd chase , same reason I can't have a cat .

I would ask yourself why you want a rabbit and then research their needs. For example rabbits should always live in pairs.

Ultimately rabbits are prey animals and dogs are predator animals. It will always be difficult as it is impossible for each to turn off their instincts. The rabbits and dog must be kept separate at all times (including line of sight) or else the rabbits will be terrified all the time (as they see the dog as a predator) and the dog will either see the rabbits as prey or a play thing - both of which will end in disaster. The dog is likely to develop frustration behaviours as they cannot “complete” their play or prey drive by getting at the rabbit.

I mention line of sight as many will have the rabbits in a run and then let the dog run over to the run and sniff them/run around them/bark at them etc which causes the rabbits extreme fear and stress.

Freedom from fear and distress is one of the 5 freedoms listed under the Animal Welfare Act 2006.

So really I’d consider a different species, or if you have a totally separate area of your garden that is solid fenced/planted to avoid line of sight, then it might work out. But the risks of it ending in unhappiness for both species, and you, is high.

Credentials: vet

@SupposeItDoesnt

it’s very interesting that you say they should live in pairs btw - this was my thought based on childhood but the pet shop owner told me today (I went to ask questions) they are perfectly happy alone as long as they are handled daily.

I appreciate all the advice - I certainly don’t want to get an animal that’s going to be upset! My dog is very submissive and sweet but he is high energy and I can see he might scare a rabbit, although he is small.

Absolutely not. My dog tried to chase my rabbit every time he saw it. We had a rabbit before we had a puppy and it was not fun at all. Poor rabbit was terrified and we had to keep them completely separated

Firstly, never get a rabbit (one)! rabbits are social animals and should never be kept alone ( and human interaction does not provide the socialising they need!).
You will not be able to introduce your dog to a rabbit. Even the best behaved, most placid dog in the world would see a small mammal as prey. Also, what would the rabbit possibly gain from an interaction with a large predator species?!

Rabbits as pets suffer often appalling welfare, due to lack of education. They are complex animals to care for, that need lots of space. A hutch in the garden, occasionally being let out, is not suitable at all. They are also expensive to care for correctly- they also require yearly vaccinations.
Please read up on requirements to care for rabbits correctly, but seriously, it does not seem like a good idea for you to get rabbits in your situation.

rabbitwelfare.co.uk/rabbit-care-advice/ownership/new-to-rabbits/

@hattie43

yes this might just be something we have to table. I loved my rabbits growing up and I really wanted to get one/two for our family but don’t want a rabbit to have a heart attack

Well said -

SupposeItDoesnt · 23/04/2022 17:06
I would ask yourself why you want a rabbit and then research their needs. For example rabbits should always live in pairs.

Ultimately rabbits are prey animals and dogs are predator animals. It will always be difficult as it is impossible for each to turn off their instincts. The rabbits and dog must be kept separate at all times (including line of sight) or else the rabbits will be terrified all the time (as they see the dog as a predator) and the dog will either see the rabbits as prey or a play thing - both of which will end in disaster. The dog is likely to develop frustration behaviours as they cannot “complete” their play or prey drive by getting at the rabbit.

I mention line of sight as many will have the rabbits in a run and then let the dog run over to the run and sniff them/run around them/bark at them etc which causes the rabbits extreme fear and stress.

Freedom from fear and distress is one of the 5 freedoms listed under the Animal Welfare Act 2006.

So really I’d consider a different species, or if you have a totally separate area of your garden that is solid fenced/planted to avoid line of sight, then it might work out. But the risks of it ending in unhappiness for both species, and you, is high.

Credentials: vet

@Jellycat81

just to be clear, and as I said upthread, I was going to get 2 rabbits but the pet shop man told me today 1 would be fine: I would be absolutely prepared to get 2. We have an enormous garden so I would also get a huge run for them, I just meant about letting them roam freely in addition to that within the context of the dog.

I could always keep the dog inside whilst the rabbits are out but that sounds stressful for both.

@theremustonlybeone

thank you for the information - what type of dog do you have? Sounds extremely stressful indeed!

It could work but the rabbits would need a secure space totally apart from the dog, so be prepared to invest a lot into an outdoor set up that meets minimum welfare standards.

As well as access to 3x2m of space (and most hutches and runs marketed for rabbits are too small) they should be kept in pairs and have very specific care needs - lovely pets if you know what you’re getting into though!

I would recommend reading up on the Rabbit Welfare Association website, this is a good page to start: rabbitwelfare.co.uk/rabbit-care-advice/ownership/new-to-rabbits/

The rabbit rescue I volunteer for wouldn’t turn you down based on you having a dog as long as you could show you’ve met RWAF requirements.

A spaniel is a hunter/retriever his instinct is to pick up the rabbit and bring it to you, they have soft mouth but the rabbit definitely won’t like it.
So having a rabbit is a a bad idea

@redpeppersoup

thank you for the link. I am interested by everyone saying they should be kept in pairs as again the pet shop man said he would definitely not get two rabbits due to fighting etc but if the rabbit got lonely would get a companion Guinea pig

@redpeppersoup

we can happily fulfil all 5 of these requirements, my only concern is the dog (but it sounds like quite a big concern).

Please don't.

Your dog, however lovely and submissive, is a predator and rabbits are prey. Keeping them together is unfair on both of them - the dog will be stressed as it will be able to smell prey, and the rabbit will be stressed as it will be able to smell a predator.

My own dog spotted a rabbit on a walk once, chased it, caught it and killed it. It was over in less than two minutes - that poor rabbit stood no chance, and I stood absolutely no chance of getting my dog back. Imagine watching one of your pets kill another one of your pets and not being able to a thing to stop it.

There may be people out there who keep both successfully but personally I think it's grossly unfair and even cruel to the rabbit.

We have a labradoodle with a strong prey drive, we had a Guinea pig who we introduced her to when she was a puppy. It was a nightmare, the dog always wanted to chase the Guinea pig despite intensive attempts at letting them get to know each other.

GP was always in a run but the dog would chase round and bark at the run so they could never be outside at the same time, which was a nightmare in the summer when you had back doors open.

I would really think twice, we ended up rehoming the GP to a lovely lady as it wasn’t fair on either of them.

@Bayleaf25

ok thank you for this!

My dog and rabbit got on amazingly well, but my dog wasn't a working breed so didn't really have a massive chase instinct

We introduced them through various hutches and outdoor runs for a long time before they were properly out together but I never had any problems

Please do not buy a rabbit from this man! He has no idea what he is talking about. Rabbits must always be kept in pairs or groups, single rabbits will be lonely no matter how much time you spend with them - paired rabbits spend over 90% of their time with each other, guard each other, groom each other etc - you can't take the place of that. Rabbits and guinea pigs shouldn't be housed together either, they have entirely different nutritional needs (guinea pigs need vitamin c supplemented as they can't produce it) and have different body language so will not understand each other. There are so many rabbits in rescues at the moment - especially just after Easter as people buy them, get bored and dump them. Please consider a rescue if you do get a couple as they will already be bonded and their personalities will have come out. Look at www.babybluebeebunnies.com/ for more information, they are a very good charity and will be able to give lots of advice.

@fairylightsandwaxmelts

my dog has chased a squirrel and caught it (which I can’t believe happened but did, I swear) and was so shocked he didn’t know what to do and let it go. He does go on shoots but retrieves dead birds. My point is I’m not sure he really has a “kill” instinct and I suppose what I wanted to hear was if they can get used to a prey animal being a “pet”
and leave them alone. It’s not sounding very likely though! My worry is less him killing the rabbit through violence and more him wanting to play and scaring it to death. I did obviously Google this but Google has very mixed opinions and seems to think a submissive dog and a relaxed rabbit would be fine. It’s great to have some home truths on here!

Not really your question but I wouldn't be buying from any pet shop who told you a single rabbit would be fine! Definitely need to be in pairs.

Source: I have kept rabbits and guinea pigs (separately!) for decades. I love them to bits but I would never get another as I have a WCS and they are bred to flush rabbits and other game.

i had one rabbit who was a house rabbit and hung out with us and lay by our feet. When i had a pair (bought together) they fought and one would prevent the other from eating so had to be separated. So two is not always a good thing.
As for my dog it was a wire haired fox terrier- prey driven but to be honest you just need to head to a park and watch the many dogs chasing squirrels. They were not breed specific

@Cardboardboxingring

thank you for the link! Yes I’m very surprised as he’s owned the local pet shop for 30 years and we have always bought feed there (and most of our hamsters, Guinea pigs and rabbits etc as children!) so it’s funny that he said that. We always had several together. I agree a rescue pair makes sense and it’s awful that people buy them for Easter (this store doesn’t get any in until after Easter for that exact reason - to avoid people
buying and dumping).

@Babyvenusplant

thank you for sharing a positive experience - how long did it take to get them
used to each other and what breed of rabbit and dog do you have?