Keeping Rabbits As Pets Outdoors
Make great low maintenance pets and can be kept as indoor pets or outdoor pets.
Keeping rabbits as pets outdoors. The hutch should allow shade during the heat of the day and shelter from strong winds. By now you should have a good idea of whether a rabbit would be the right pet for you. Rabbits are not ideal pets for children partly because rabbits usually do not like to be picked up though they do like being stroked and are quite social. Having ample protection from the elements and predators is your main concern.
While some may raise rabbits as pets others may choose to raise them for meat. Rabbits need a dry clean ventilated safe well placed and relatively roomy home to thrive. Do not think that if you are living in the suburbs there is no danger to your rabbits. Many pet rabbits do not do well with the hot southern summer or the cold northern winters.
Regardless of the purpose it s important to become familiar with their specific needs. There are many reasons to begin keeping backyard bunnies. The safety and well being of your pet rabbits are of optimal importance if you decide to keep them outdoors. But if your hutch is smaller consider adding a separate run in the garden or allowing some daily supervised exercise for your pets outside the cage.
You can also construct your own bunny home. When housed outside they need a large hutch which is safe from predators cats dogs foxes. This should be insect mosquito proof and protect rabbits from extreme weather. You may argue that there are no predators in your area.
Rabbits are quiet and don t require much physical space. Why rabbits are the best pets. You do not have to keep them inside unless it is too cold. Position the hutch so it is also protected from weather on a verandah or deck.
With the right care and attention rabbits make good pets. Rabbits will usually be destructive if deprived of attention and appropriate toys. Modern outdoor hutches with multiple levels and or rooms are suitable for pet rabbits. Rabbits are very low maintenance requiring only food shelter and water.
They also need to be spayed or neutered to cut down on behavioral problems and health risks. You can keep it in a cage and let it hop around in the yard 4 times a week. Most bunny experts recommend housing your rabbit indoors. Ideally a hutch for two medium sized rabbits should measure 150 x 60 x 60cm.
The days of thinking it acceptable to keep a pet rabbit in a small isolated hutch are in the past. Rabbits need protection from predators at all times. Unless you can regulate the temperature of an outdoor enclosure keeping your rabbit inside is best. Rabbits in the garden are an excellent way to get free manure fertilizer.
However rabbits aren t suitable pets for everyone.