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Rabbits - indoors or outdoors?

78 replies

JumpJockey · 18/01/2022 14:56

The DDs really want rabbits, and I said last year they could have them as a reward for extreme bravery (medical challenge). Since then DD2 hasn’t been able to as immunosuppressed, but now she can and they want to get stuck in. We’ve not had pets before, I’d be happy with a cat by DH and DD1 dead against. The question is, are rabbits best indoors or outdoors?
Pluses for outdoors:
More natural behaviour (i.e. access to grass, more space)
Would get the DDs out every day to tend to them
Minuses for outdoors:
Neighbours have cats and we know there is at least one fox in the area
Decent sized hutches/enclosures are v pricey
Our grass is full of things that the websites say they shouldn’t eat

Pluses for indoors:
DDs more likely to play with /interact with them
They’d probably need to come indoors in winter anyway
Minuses for indoors:
We don’t have a room to give over to them (only suitable one would be the utility, and that gets v hot and cold because of tumble dryer) and otherwise the kitchen/family room is full of stuff that would get nibbled
Less opportunity for natural behaviour, I’d have thought, unless you take them outdoors every day (is this expected for indoor rabbits?)

What advice can you offer? Thanks!

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ThoseFestiveLights · 18/01/2022 15:57

@JumpJockey I adore my bunnies but they are not children's pets and are perceived as much less work than a larger pet which is far from the truth. They are really for adults who have the space and time and money to look after them. I really wouldn’t want to give the impression that they are suitable for children.

Guinea pigs are brill though!

Cactuslockdown · 18/01/2022 15:57

We’ve had 2 pairs of outdoor bunnies… of the first two one was a sweetheart and the other a complete demon… just her personality. She was hilarious but I wouldn’t have let a child hold her…
The second two were a bit dull.. not interested in people at all.
Are you sure you couldn’t interest them in a kitten? Maybe go and visit some? They may find them harder to resist that way!!

Janeandjohnny · 18/01/2022 15:57

We have just come to the end of our rabbit phase. The most unrewarding pet ever.
Biting, scratching, wont be picked up, shit everywhere, piss most places, chewing wires etc. It was a total disaster - my kid was totally set on them but so disappointed. We kept them inside and although she was very sad when they passed on I heaved a sigh of relief. I absolutely would not get them ever again. Get a rescue puppy or foster a dog - so much better.

ThoseFestiveLights · 18/01/2022 16:01

They do bite and once they’ve bitten you it’s pretty terrifying. My DH and children are scared of them. They look ADORABLE but they are not friendly. They are fluffy demons.

chesirecat99 · 18/01/2022 16:19

@JumpJockey

A possibly harsh question, but people who are saying lots of bad things about bunnies, why do you have them as pets?!
Like you, we got them because one of the DC wanted them, but they were late teens so responsible for their care.

If you are lucky and you get rabbits who are well socialised and have a good nature, then they are rewarding pets but everything is on their terms. If you are patient and gentle, it is lovely when they flump down next to you for a cuddle, they can be very clever and funny, their behaviour and interaction (they are social animals) are fascinating. BUT they are a huge amount of work, more than most pets, and wreak havoc around the house.

I forgot about the biting. Scratching and biting if they are mishandled or scared by a child is a risk but they also nip when grooming you. I also forget that the dominant female liked to assert her authority over her partner by, how shall I put it, thrusting in his face...

JumpJockey · 18/01/2022 16:25

DD1 in particular is nervous about the unpredictable nature of animals (this is the root of her fear of dogs - OK if they are on a lead but awful if they are running free) so perhaps this isn't the best. Are Guinea pigs any better? DH and I usually work full time (currently off with covid dammit) and there wouldn't be anyone around during the day so no good for dogs or for socialising a lot of pets. If only they hadn't watched soany blooming YT kids films of "me and my cute bunny" 🤦

OP posts:
hoomans · 18/01/2022 16:25

There are loads of rabbit owner groups on Facebook, join one and observe for a bit and get some advice there and then decide.

secretnutter · 18/01/2022 16:29

Aww we got a pair of bunnies last year, they are lots of fun! I think we got quite lucky with our two, they came from a family who handled them lots from birth and they absolutely love attention, so friendly and super inquisitive, one hates to be picked up but the other loves a snuggle!
We have an old, now unused wooden playhouse we converted (maybe you could see if you can get one second hand?) it's got a couple of levels made out of planks of wood and chicken wire and an outdoor run attached with a big tube, they need this space, they really do run about all day and I can't imagine putting them in a regular hutch, but also couldn't have them in the house Grin too many poos!

MissRainbowBrite · 18/01/2022 16:34

Take a look at Guinea pigs. I can't say much about bunnies having no ever had them but we have indoor Guinea pig brothers who are fab.
Such lovely little characters, very vocal when they want to be and are very rarely known to bite - ours never have. They take a little bit of catching as they are naturally prey animals and their instinct is to run but once snuggled in they are very cuddly and love lap time.
Ours have a large C&C cage, guineas need way more space than people think and have a huge run out on the grass which they go in for the daytimes in the summer.

ThoseFestiveLights · 18/01/2022 16:38

I agree, I’ve had both guineas and buns and Guinea are very suitable as pets for children. Very vocal, interacts and communicate with humans (buns don’t really) can be handled and kept indoors or in a heated outside shed.

tresleches · 18/01/2022 16:41

I've owned rabbits four times in my life - two as outdoor solo bunnies when I was a child; two as bonded house rabbits that shared quite a big porch; and now one free range house bun. All have been great and no demons, which tells me it's probably luck!

My current bun is neutered and female - they are less destructive after being neutered (also cancer issues for females if you don't) and more friendly (without humping being the precondition of friendliness). She's super social and funny, sleeps a lot during the day but since WFH she frequently comes through to "nudge" my legs for attention. Everyone gets a nudge to the ankle when they come in the door. If any sweeping etc is going on, she's extremely curious and has to get "involved". In the evenings she jumps up on the sofa for endless - seriously - forehead strokes.

She is also litter trained and since she was neutered hasn't peed outside her litter tray (pooing was always only in the tray). She gets so much exercise around our flat, including high-speed racing and jumping courses she works out for herself, I can't imagine her being in a hutch with a run. She's never been a table leg/chair leg chewer, though cables are all stashed out of the way and if they were exposed she would definitely have a go. If she was a chewer, I would definitely struggle with my furniture being destroyed! At night she has the living room to herself with her night-time only cardboard box collection and she's used to this routine (bunnies like routine).

If I were you, I would litter train them to use a tray in the utility room (with high sides as they position themselves to pee quite high!), with food and water in there too, and let them free range during the day then shut them in the utility at night (when I assume steady temp that they would get used to?). Bunny litter makes amazing compost, in case you're a gardener.

If you're rehoming bunnies - ideal, as there are so many to be rehomed - you can choose house rabbits that already use a litter tray.

Also worth considering: bunnies can really (and quietly) get under your feet and younger children might not remember to always be looking out for them. They are curious but physically fragile - not a great combination. You have to be vigilant a lot of the time. And accept never having a stray cable in the house - I drool when I see a floor lamp with a casual cable on the floor at friend's houses.

Finally, in case anyone is feeling sorry for my solo bun, we did try to bond her over the summer and it went very badly (unknown to us, the suitor was ill, and quickly terminally ill, when we rehomed him) so we're taking time out on that for a while. It's a controversial thing, but she was found alone, homeless and ill so I'm comfortable that she already has a better life.

ThoseFestiveLights · 18/01/2022 16:44

I’ve had a solo house bun too @tresleches and she was actually the nicest - but I adopted her as an old lady and didn’t think she’d settle to bonding.

I’m not sure if the op and DH work FT out of the house it would work to have free roaming.

deathofastrawberry · 18/01/2022 16:44

I've never owned a rabbit but judging by these replies a cat would be much much easier! And I'm sure your DD would come round to the idea once you've brought a tiny kitten home! Cats are a breeze and are the best pets IMO. My cat is very anti social apart from when she wants something however I know this isn't the case for most cats that will curl up on your lap for a cuddle. Still absolutely adore her though and she's never weed/pooed anywhere else apart from her litter tray, she's very clean and has never chewed through a wire in her life. Grin

Marylou62 · 18/01/2022 16:49

We did however have 3 Guinea pigs! Lovely.. My DD took them out for a walk on a lead... Lived in the porch and often came in for a play.. My friend had indoor piggies.. Bit smellie but OK.. How old are your girls.. Tell them what we've all said on here.. That said, a pair of kittens would be perfect I think.. As a PP said go and visit a litter and let them choose..

Steelesauce · 18/01/2022 16:49

I have a house rabbit. Hes my 3rd one. I had a pair who died 5 years ago before and loved them. They are hard work and messy but less work then a dog. I'm currently waiting for my bun to be old enough for neutering then I shall be getting him a girlfriend. Hes very placid, cracks me up every day and loves a fuss. I temperament checked a lot of buns before I found him, go for one who doesn't bolt and can easily be held (they squirm at first but a firm hold should keep them calm). Hes an old English. Always had lops in the past. He has full run of the lounge and uses a litter tray (mostly). Hes ok with my 3 young children but does much prefer the quiet life, he comes alive when they go to bed. I wouldn't suggest rabbits for little ones to have as their own, a cat would be much better.

tresleches · 18/01/2022 17:08

@ThoseFestiveLights I bonded an old, matronly female rabbit with a younger male and she was always utterly unimpressed with him

minipie · 18/01/2022 17:21

I’ve had a rabbit, guinea pigs and cats.

Rabbit hated being a pet. Froze then kicked when held. Constantly trying to run away and dig under the fence. Eventually succeeded and got eaten by a fox.

Guinea pigs were fine, but incredibly boring.

Cats absolutely rock. Ideal ratio of effort to reward. Beautiful, fun, they enjoy strokes (if you get a friendly one) and bury their own poo. What’s not to like?

Is there any way you can introduce your DD to a local friendly cat? Any friends or relatives with a cuddly lap cat who could change your DD’s view ?

Realistically all pets are unpredictable to some extent.

Cookerhood · 18/01/2022 17:29

I've had rabbits (really difficult pet, we lived them but they take a lot of work & were hard for young children to interact with, got fly strike twice which was awful), guinea pigs - much better idea, easier to handle, not a 10-12 year commitment, and rats. Rats are by far & away the best rodent pets I have had. They are intelligent, love cuddles and playing. They can be trained to do tricks. The only problem is that they break your heart as they only live 2-3 years.

NewYearCalavicci · 18/01/2022 17:35

I have never owned rabbits but I have seen plenty of times of various different forms how hard they are to look after and Hounds space things and the fact that they're not suitable for children really.

Would you consider rats instead I know a lot of people don't like them but they are extremely intelligent easy to train will come when you call them and generally don't take up as much space however they will still chew wires if you take your eyes off them from more than 3 seconds !

Invasionofthegutsnatchers · 18/01/2022 17:38

I have 3. They are incredibly cute and very much worth it. I cuddle them daily and because they are handled regularly they are very friendly. They have half the dining room with fleece blankets on the floor and a huge wire pen 6ft x 4ft. They use a litter box only for about 60% of poops and wees though. The litter tray is emptied daily and the fleece blankets shaken in the garden and washed every 2 days. They have injections annually and they stay at the local cattery at huge expense when we go on holiday. All are neutered which was quite expensive. They eat mainly Timothy hay and a small amount of high grade grain free pellets. In the evening they run around the lounge and try to chew cables but also jump on the sofa to say hello to us which is adorable.

Gorgeous pets with wonderful personalities but you must put the time in. Please don't put them in a hutch, it's a miserable life.

Invasionofthegutsnatchers · 18/01/2022 17:42

This handy diagram is pretty accurate for effort versus reward. DD found it amusing

Rabbits - indoors or outdoors?
ViceLikeBlip · 18/01/2022 17:43

Genuine advice- get a Guinea pig instead. They need far less exercise, and are quite happy with a large-ish enclosure and a few hours out here and there.

Plus, they're super cute, especially their little squeaking noises when they're excited.

Mo1911 · 18/01/2022 17:43

Oh definitely indoors. Ours are like little dogs. Full of fun want to play and completely litter trained. You'll miss so much if you keep them outdoors, they're amazing wee souls.

Snooper22 · 18/01/2022 17:45

We had 4 of them together kept outside in a huge hutch and then in a heated brick outbuilding. Like others have said they are hard work and as much as my DD loved them she grew out of them by the time she was a teenager. They were very cute but ate everything in my garden. I was sad when they eventually died but actually quite relieved. They are not easy pets.

Skeumorph · 18/01/2022 17:55

No they're not great. And they live a LONG time so that's even worse!

Honestly the best of the bunch are rats. They are really clever, really friendly, smaller so even though they need a huge cage it's still so much easier than rabbits. They also don't live half as long!

I would tell your DDs that rabbits, although lovely, do bite and won't really enjoy being picked up. Then show them some videos of amazing funny lovely ratties...