URGENT. Rabbits outside in the snow or inside?

[kreecherlivesupstairs]

Through circumstances beyond my control, I will this afternoon be the caretaker of two rabbits. I've never seen them before and don't particularly want them. My question is this. We currently have around 25cm of snow, these rabbits live outside in a hutch with a run. I am to take care of them for three weeks. We will be away for one of these weeks so the next door neighbours will feed them. I am a bit concerned about the snow, will they be OK outside or should be bring their stuff inside. I am reluctant to do this because I am imagining rabbit pee all over the kitchen floor which is tiled.
So, should we leave them outside and hope for the best or bring them in. Answers ASAP please.

They can go outside but you should buy them a hutch snuggle and a water bottle cover to make sure they don't get too cold and their water doesn't freeze. They will also needs lots of extra hay, which will need topping up and any dirty hay removing daily.

something like this

Bugger, nothings simple is it?
Thanks for your reply, I'll go to the pet shop once I've receieved any supplies along with the rabbits this afternoon.
I am really cross about the whole situation. If only S hadn't told me on Tuesday night, I would have been ignorant and not felt morally compelled to take them.

Our rabbits will stay outside, but I have insulated the shed with bubble wrap, and they have a warming pad (goes in the microwave) at night in case they need it. If the hutch with the sleeping compartment can be covere securely with an old blanket and then a tarpaulin, and then you give them loads of straw,mayb even straw inside a cardboard box on it's side in the compartment, then they should be OK.

If your heating will be off it may be easier to bring the whole lot in while you are away - just put cardboard on the floor if it's tiled. They may well have a litter tray that they use.

Don't bring them in if they normally live out and you have the heating on.

I am not an expert - you need SoutheastAstra!

Thanks for that. I am reluctant to spend any money on these bloody rabbits. I suppose I could bring them inside but it means the neighbours have to come into our house rather than just into the garden.
I hadn't realised that SoutheastAstra was an expert on all things rabbity!

The important thing is that their water does not freeze up. You can get bottle covers to insulate them - and tell the neighbours to check the spout on the water bottle, because that can be frozen solid even if the water in the bottle is liquid. Fill every day with warm water.

Rabbits cope better with cold than heat - and as there are two they will snuggle up together.

I've just realised that it will probably be three weeks inside. What will happen to them if a) I give them back and they are put into the garden after spending time inside.
b) I do leave them out with the neighbours checking the water and food.
One final question, I promise, will the cats next door bother them. I am assuming the cage/run is enclosed. I've never seen the rabbits, let alone the set up. [worried]

They will be fine outside if they have adequate insulation - our native wild rabbit population copes just fine in winter weather! Don't bring them in if they will be going back out when they go home. If you bring them in they will think it's spring and start moulting their winter coats. Putting them back outside then could kill them. As others have said, the water is the main thing. Get some glycerine from the chemist - a few drops added to the bottle will stop it freezing. It may still freeze in the spout so you need to check that daily. Give them lots of bedding and make sure the hutch is insulated and they will honestly be fine, as there is more than one of them. One rabbit alone might freeze to death but a couple of rabbits will cuddle up.

Incidentially, if you did bring them in the house, give them a cat littertray with some woodshavings in, put some soiled bedding in it and they would probably start using it - rabbits are naturally clean creatures. But I think if they are outdoor rabbits it's much better to keep them that way.

If you bring buns inside who normally live outside in the winter then you will need to keep them inside until Spring! The shock of moving from extreme cold to a much warmer house causes them to think spring has come and they shed their thick winter fur.

This website has some very good advice on caring for outdoor buns in the winter.
www.therabbithouse.com/outdoor/rabbitwinter.asp