To want the rabbits to live inside

[Notaderrysgirl]

My DP bought me two rabbits a few months ago, I’d wanted rabbits for a very long time and they are very much loved and spoilt. Currently they live inside and free roam the majority of the time, they are litter trained and very well behaved (they don’t seem interested in chewing or destroying anything, they are quite lazy) I do all of their care and they bring me much joy just having them around the house. DP has decided that “it’s time for them to go outside to live”. I cant bear the idea of them being in a hutch outside, we have a lot of cats in our neighbourhood and I’d just be worried sick. Also I don’t think it’s fair to put them in a hutch when they have had the run of the house and they would need to come back inside come winter anyway. I’ve expressed my anxiety of having them outside and that I love having them inside however he is not convinced. In his mind rabbits are meant to be outside in a pokey hutch. AIBU?

The answer here is to build them a proper enclosure to live outside, or to spend a lot
of time outside in, it shouldn’t be inside or pokey hutch as the only options. What sort of set up do they have for your side at the min? They could still sleep inside

Not a pokey hutch, but a large enclosure with shelter and they'll have a great time.

Rabbit hutches were a Victorian invention meant for very temporary accommodation for rabbits before slaughter.

Rabbit hutches sold in pet shops don't meet the welfare needs of rabbits.

YANBU - though I wonder if you can come to a compromise of much larger outside accommodation - the Rabbit Welfare Association Fund has some ideas, often made from garden sheds.

In his mind rabbits are meant to be outside in a pokey hutch

Why didn't he say that from the start? If they are in a hutch, it has to be a big one anyway.

If they're well behaved, I see no reason why they shouldn't stay inside.

I’d keep them inside. Rabbits aren’t meant to be cooped up in hutches, it prevents them from engaging in their natural behaviours (I mean, sure, they aren’t meant to be indoors either, but at least being able to roam indoors is closer to being able to roam outdoors.) And I’d also be really clear with him that pets aren’t toys and in future any pets need prior discussion about how they’re going to be kept and agreement on what you both expect for them. He was an idiot to buy you pets without you both agreeing whether they’d live in or out.

Disgusting OP,

Show him this.
https://rabbitwelfare.co.uk/a-hutch-is-not-enough/

My friend keeps her rabbits in a huge, insulated Wendy house with a massive enclosed run attached so they can mooch around safely.

I’d still keep yours indoors though, maybe with an outdoor run so they can enjoy some safe sunshine too!

I agree about the hutches, I would never put a rabbit in one of those awful things.

I used a 6’ x 4’ shed, put in a cat flap & attached a long run when I had rabbits.
they has lots of room, & I also had a bigger run then I let them out into most days away from the shed & on grass. (The shed & run had to be on paving due to the layout I have available).

in the winter I bought them some warming mats, & I also lined the shed with extra wood to add some insulation.

mine did live in the house for a bit, but liked chewing too much (toys, cables, skirting boards ) so had to go outside.

If you keep them in a hutch, you will need to make sure that you put them out on the grass EVERY day. You will either need to secure the garden, or get a very large run.

They will get very depressed if you keep them in a hutch all day. It's very cruel.

Are they a breed like lion head dwarf etc? They do suit being indoors. You'll have to bring them in over winter, if so, or have the outdoor enclosure heated. The issue is that the litter training and friendliness will go once they are outside. I rabbit proofed my garden and let mine out for a few hours every day. The cats chill with them, they are too big for the prey drive to just click on. Cats are usually just curious. It's cute watching the bunny flop along with the cats showing relaxed behaviour. Don't let him dictate this. Are they fully vaccinated? A good set up will cost £ hundreds.

Hutches are extraordinarily cruel.

If he wants them outside then he needs to make them a very large run about 2 foot high with chicken wire over the top to protect them from cats. They can still be brought inside to sleep. They will probably like running outside on grass in the summer but I'd keep them in once Autumn comes over the Winter.

Indoor rabbits live much longer. Usually because when rabbits become sick they need treatment quickly and only owners of indoor rabbits usually notice in time.
But if they're to be outdoors they ideally need something the size of a garden shed plus a large secure outdoor run. A costly set up. You'd also need to treat them for flystrike if they're going outdoors.
Have a look here > https://rabbitwelfare.co.uk/outdoor-housing/

I would buy a hutch with a large attached run so that your bunnies can hop in and out as they please. I have had house buns in the past but also had a large outdoor arrangement for them so they got the best of both worlds. My rabbits were never attacked by cats, in fact one I had, a large French lop regularly saw off my spaniel, who was actually completely harmless, and dim. I do think buns should have the option of fresh air if possible.

We have a lot of experience with rabbits. It would be a bit cruel to house them out in a hutch when they are used to having the run of the house. I would also say keeping them locked in a hutch is rather cruel too. They really need a large run to thrive and lots of enrichment activities too. After all, how would you like to be suddenly taken out of your home, and locked in a room, toilet in the corner, and someone bringing you food and water twice a day.

My rabbits have a hutch in my kitchen which they are in at night. From 7am till 9pm they have access to my house and garden and they almost always choose to be outside jumping around the lawn eating grass almost all day. They get really grumpy if they can't go outside due to bad weather and hang around the back door looking sorry for themselves. I know people are scared to let their rabbits outside but honestly they love the wind, smells, sun on their backs. They are built for it.

Could you keep them indoors of a night time, we've had a lot of rabbits in my family and they lived longer when outside but kept in of a night. Oldest rabbit we had was nearly 15. My last one passed away around 10 years old but she was a rex and they normally don't live past 6 or 7. She was mainly kept indoors. But she did go outside of a day sometimes in a run. If they have grass to eat it helps prevent gi stasis. Only worry is them digging out and escaping, but if you move the run every day or so it hasn't been an issue for us. I did love having my rabbits indoors, so I know where your coming from

I'd be inclined to build a sort of catio - big shed which can have heater on in the winter leading out to an outdoor enclosed area.
A rabbitio!

Our rabbits live in a big outdoor enclosure and are very happy. The only hutch is inside the indoor enclosure for them to go and have some quiet time in if they choose. You can give them a great life outdoors.

I'm more concerned he is just railroading over a part of your life that brings joy. Tell him to go

rabbits who have lived indoors struggle to adjust to outside.

We have house rabbits and honestly they are less work and more enjoyment as indoor pets. Just need to change the litter tray etc.

Did he not discuss whether they would be house or outside rabbits before buying you them? Seems harsh to suddenly announce he wants them to live outside if he's not mentioned it before now.

YANBU - I had an indoor bunny and he was very, very loved and had a great little life. Despite our initial best intentions Cyril had free reign of the house, and loved hopping outside whenever he felt like it.
Your post reminded me of him OP, so thank you for bringing a smile to my face!

Those bunnies are going to have a great time with you ❤️

Stick him under the cupboard under the stairs for a few days and let him see what a shitty life in a hutch really feels like.

They can go out for summer...

You'll need something approximating a potting shed for indoor quarters (will also store hay etc though so thats helpful as a small bale of hay is infinitely cheaper than the little bags you buy in the pet shop) - plus either a totally bunny-proofed garden, or a very large run that encloses a fair amount of garden.

Plus tunnels and toys and whatnot and re-landscaping/moving plants etc to bunnyproof.
Cost wise, you're looking at not getting change out of 1K if you're doing it all from scratch - could be a lot more if you have to re-design the garden for them.

Small hutches with a run underneath are not suitable for rabbits.

A cheaper alternative is that you build a suitable run with shelter for them to go out in during the day, and they come in in the evenings - though I would not leave rabbits in a run outside if you're not at home so how long they'd spend out there on weekdays if you work outside of your home, may not be much!

Keep them inside. My bunnies all lived indoors - domesticated bunnies aren’t as adapted for extreme heat or cold, and will be much more socialised inside. There’s also a much much higher risk of developing mixy or VHD outdoors - I personally wouldn’t risk it if you have the space to let them live indoors!

as a side note, much easier to notice issues with health etc when you’re seeing them all the time. Tell your DP to go live outside during winter and then you’ll listen to his opinion!