Indoor or outdoor rabbit?

[ACCx]

We have reserved a bunny and she will be ready to bring home in a month or so. I was planning on keeping her indoors with the appropriate cage/hutch and allow her out to free roam when we’re around. However I have heard many horror stories that they’re very difficult to keep in doors, they’re not cuddly pets and that you should expect to have your skirting, woodwork and wires ruined. I really don’t know what to do now as we wanted a small pet we could keep indoors, have a nice pet/owner bond and allow out the cage often. Would it be wise to keep her as an outdoor pet? I simply won’t have the money to be replacing wires and cuboard doors ect. Kind Suggestions welcomed!! Xx

We have an indoor rabbit, but he did all of those things. Now he spends most of his time I'm his hutch indoors.

Imo rabbits don’t make great pets. I’d suggest outside, but I’m not sure that’s fair to a solo rabbit. They are extremely busy.

I’ve had rabbits for many years. All of mine have been indoor rabbits with free reign of the house when I’m in.
You do need to train them (like puppies) to not destroy things, and you need to provide a corner for them with cardboard, branches etc. They are lovely pets, some more cuddly, some less.
I always adopted older animals who were incompatible with other rabbits (two were extremely aggressive towards other animals but lovely with humans, one just extremely scared), i wouldn’t keep a young rabbit on their own, they are extremely sociable animals! I only have space for one and plenty of experience, so i look for the ones that can’t be placed with others (usually because their first owner abused them or never socialised them). If you keep only one, they need A LOT of interaction, like a young dog. Don’t do that to a young animal.

Just to add, if you don’t spend enough time with them, they get bored and destructive. its not fair to keep a single rabbit in a hutch all day - they need exercise and social stimulation to be amazing pets.
I have both dogs and a rabbit - I find a single indoor rabbit about the same effort as a dog (no walks needed though, but same amount of time). A single outdoor rabbit is very unfair, so is keeping the poor animal in a hutch all day, especially alone.

I've had a number of both indoor and outdoor rabbits. Yes, indoor rabbits will chew anything in sight – skirting, furniture, wires. Wires are snipped in an instant with their teeth. Carpet scratched up. Rabbits must almost constantly gnaw to keep their teeth in check – you can provide wooden toys etc for them to do this, but they will not only gnaw on those things when other things are accessible as they will like to gnaw on everything.

Female rabbits, in my experience, don't make the most friendly of pets. They can be extremely tetchy and territorial. Male rabbits, once neutered, tend to be friendlier. But, honestly, I don't think rabbits are terribly friendly overall. You will need to get her spade also as when female rabbits aren't bred they have an astonishingly high rate of uterine cancer, so you need to factor that in to your bills and plans too.

I've had indoor and outdoor rabbits. They can be wonderfully entertaining, intelligent pets to have indoors but they will chew skirting boards and wires, that is a natural behaviour for them.

It's generally best practice to have them in pairs for some company because they get very lonely, and more destructive, when they are alone.

Also, most hutches aren't an appropriate size for rabbits (3x2x1m) to display normal behaviours so they'd need access to an attached run or safe space at all times not just extra space when you're home and able to supervise.

As for being cuddly, some bunnies are some aren't, like cats and dogs. Most, however, aren't, because they are prey animals so don't want to be held. Most do enjoy 'being groomed' when they're used to their owners (stroked usually on their head which can make them purr) but you can't pick them up and cuddle them like a baby, and putting them on their backs is an absolute no.

I've had house rabbits, my boy was the most affectionate little thing, we had him from being 8 weeks. My rescue girl has never really enjoyed human company but we don't know her history before we got her. They need constant supervision if out in the house as they are destructive and chew things. My rabbits were happy in their large pen when I couldn't supervise but needed a lot of supervised exervis3 every day. I wouldn't advise a single rabbit unless you have many hours a day to bind with them. For outdoor rabbits you definitely need 2 but also bare in mind that standard hutches sold by pet shops aren't big enough. Rabbits are great pets but not the easiest to look after (my cat is less maintenance) but yiu get out for them what you put in

Rabbits definitely shouldn't live alone, it really isn't fair on them to be lone, so I would look for a second.

I always kept mine historically outdoors, but I wouldn't be averse to keeping them indoors. They need a lot of space, much more than what stores will advertise.

They aren't the most cuddly or friendly of pets, and take a lot of work. But I love them so much.

I agree mine have an x pen for overnight but spend the day in the living room with me. They have boxes abd paper and toys and have been trained. I worked out of the home for a bit and they didn’t like it much prefer me there working from home with noise around them. They like fuss on their terms stroking coming to say hello. Running up when they think it’s treat time

but most importantly they have each other they are very attached and they neednthat

Used to have a rabbit which hated every human it came into contact with. We persevered and ended up scratched and gouged! You could be lucky and get an affectionate one but for the work involved cleaning hutches and runs there’s very little pet value.

You're just getting the one? Really you need to keep at least two, they're very social animals.

Yes, they will chew everything they can. My housemate had two back in the day and they chewed up the carpet despite her best efforts. They were litter trained though.

They need more room than you think - a traditional hutch and small run won't cut it if you're intending to leave them outside.

They can be cuddly if they're hand-reared and well socialised, and handled with appropriate care. The breeder can advise and show you, but it's not a guarantee.

How much research have you done before reserving this rabbit?

They have to be in pairs, it’s quite cruel to just have one.

They will destroy everything if they have free run of the house, and obviously they are likely to urinate and defacate. My brother had two, the male died, and now he just has the female who is really aggressive and antisocial. Oh, and they stink unless you clean them out every day.

Are you sure you don’t want a cat?

As others have said, rabbits need to be kept in pairs as they are very sociable and need a friend. I've got 2 female rabbits and they are the best of friends. The amount of time they spend grooming each other, I don't think a human could manage that!

My rabbits live outdoors because I wouldn't be able to bunny proof enough to protect skirting boards, furniture and wires. If you have them outside they need 24hr access to a huge run though, so that's another thing to think about.

They don't like being picked up and cuddled and for the first year they were very shy, but they're getting better as they get older. They run over to us as soon as we go in the run, will nudge us with their noses to say hello and bow their heads down when they want us to stroke them.

We used to have a rabbit, he was a rescue so only had the one. He used to live in our unused garage over night, in a large hutch, to shelter him from all weathers. And then he would get out in the garden from dawn until dusk everyday. He was the happiest little thing, loved playing with our next door neighbours cat. And would come running to the back door as soon as he heard it open, he never liked being picked up (until the day he was put down) but he did love sitting next to us or laying with us on the grass to have his nose and ears stroked. As for eating things, he also used to eat the concrete wall in the garage as he'd go inside there when the weather was bad and while in there he would chew absolutely everything.
My sister has an indoor rabbit and it's destroyed loads of electricals and eaten her floors, walls, skirting boards, doors. And it steals the cats food too!

We have a house rabbit who lives in what used to be the kids play room. We let her out to run around the house when we are in. She used to live with another rabbit who unfortunately died. She seems very happy on her own and loves zooming round on the living room rug.
However, the room she is in is trashed. The sofa completely destroyed, wooden window frames, skirting boards etc.
We tried to use a large enclosure but she just jumped out - however high we built it.
I couldnt bring myself to put her in a cage as she just needs to hop around.
She doesnt like cuddles.

Agree with PP who say you should be getting two.

Rabbits can be trained but the most important thing is giving them a fair chance by bunnyproofing their free-range areas, making it less stressful for everyone. So use wire covers/boxes and block off access to furniture like sofas you don't want them going under and chewing etc. There are loads of bunnyproofing ideas online. Mine have never been interested in skirting boards but have seen people using tape or clingfilm as an easy temporary deterrent or you can buy skirting board protectors made specially for rabbits. Do this before you bring bunny home so they don't even know the temptation exists. Provide lots of enrichment and attention and time for training and handling training. Mine have always responded to a firm 'no' and a squirt from a water bottle if necessary and then a redirect with lots of positive attention and fuss. Training methods depend on the character of the rabbits of course but my bossy does could take it lol. I invested a LOT of time and energy into training in my house rabbits first few months with me and they have been a joy in the 8+ years since.

I’ve never had rabbits, but a friend had two indoor rabbits who never chewed anything they weren’t meant to like furniture and cables, and were completely litter trained. I’m assuming she spend loads of time getting them to that stage but I was amazed that this was even possible.

Either a bonded pair or trio of Guinea pigs or a well-chosen adult rescue cat would almost certainly fit the bill better for your circumstances and concerns.

@ThinkingAgainAndAgain Rabbits are very trainable, but it requires effort and time. None of my 3 ever chewed something they weren’t supposed to, and they were litter trained. One loved going outside on a leash (he was the most cuddly one, the others were much more independent so I never tried with them). They are like a mix of cat and dog - need a lot if training, but at their terms. A very adult pet I think (although they won’t let kids hurt them - they are quite capable of self defence).

I have 3 rabbits. A bonded pair and a young buck ( continental giant) who is on his own ATM but he is free roam. My continental is OVERLY friendly 😂 they do chew like anyone's buisness!!! There's been several occasions where they've got to a wire or a possession by accident... and well, let's just say the wires are no longer intact!

Rabbits can be great indoor pets. They can be litter tray trained quite easily and won’t necessarily chew everything to death if you train them.

id recommended getting the anti chew spray and very very liberally spraying everything (yes everything, walls, especially corners, wood furniture, fabrics) before you bring them home.

then you need to spend a lot of time with them, sitting on the floor so they can come to you as they want to until they feel confident with you.
make sure everyone in your house puts the effort in. And feeds them equally.

my rabbit adored me and would jump up on my knee to cuddle. She hated my husband and would bite him. Rabbit bites are really painful. So he had to put the effort to bond with her, feeding her helped but she didn’t really like him putting his hand in her hutch.

in all honesty, they’re a grossly underestimated pet. They require as much care and attention as a dog so if you haven’t got that to give then don’t get one.

in all honesty, they’re a grossly underestimated pet. They require as much care and attention as a dog so if you haven’t got that to give then don’t get one.

100% agree

Rabbits need rabbit company!

in all honesty, they’re a grossly underestimated pet. They require as much care and attention as a dog so if you haven’t got that to give then don’t get one.

I completely agree. Rabbits are a lot of work and not comparable to other small pets. Personally I don't think they make great pets as they generally don't like being handled and can be destructive if bored.

To be blunt, you shouldn’t get a rabbit. Your list of wants is just not compatible with what a rabbit actually is. Rabbits are HIGH high maintenance pets. They’re destructive, a lot of work, messy. At the same time, for owners who can give the right attention and care, they are incredibly rewarding.

Some things you need to consider:

• You say reserved, which makes me thing you are getting your rabbit from a breeder. Apologies if this isn’t the case. But if it is the case, is there any way you would consider not!? There are THOUSANDS of rabbits of all ages in rescues desperate for homes. You will also have to pay for neutering and vaccinations if you get from a breeder which is in the hundreds (more on this below). If you adopted a rescue this would all be free
• any rabbit you get will need to neutered as soon as age appropriate. Un-neutered rabbits are more aggressive, can be territorial, more likely to be destructive. The list goes on. For female buns being un-neutered also massively increases the chance of uterine cancer. Neutering will cost £150ish+, dependent on where you live, and then additional aftercare and medication costs while they recover
• Rabbits should live in pairs at a minimum. Keeping a rabbit on its own is cruel - some people will say “oh my rabbit couldn’t be around other rabbits / needed to be on its own”… nope, you just didn’t find the right rabbit partner. Solo rabbits can get depression, and also be much more destructive. Again, if you get from a rescue, you can adopt already bonded rabbits. If you don’t, you will need to do the bonding yourself when bunnies are post-neuter. It is a difficult and stressful process
• all my rabbits have lived indoors free roam so my advice on outdoor setup is limited. Rabbits should NEVER be shut in a cage. They should either be free roam indoors (that can be whole house or confirmed to specific rooms, which mine are) or outdoors in a large covered run - a lot of people use sheds. They need 60sqft MINIMUM at all times. They also shouldn’t be moved from indoors to outdoors as the change in temperature can kill them. Rabbits are nocturnal animals, so they spend most of the time humans are awake snoozing, and are most active during the night. You’ve said you’d want to take them out of the cage when you’re around; assuming that’s during the day I can tell you now your rabbit will not appreciate it. And will be very very unhappy being locked up at night on their own when no one else is around

I’ve had rabbits for years, and I’m happy to talk you through things in more detail or suggest some Facebook groups which are great for rabbit advice. But seriously, you need to consider whether getting a rabbit is actually sensible to do.