If your family is considering adding rabbits as pets to the household quickly decide if you plan on keeping the bunnies indoors in a cage or outdoors in a special rabbit hutch. Having rabbits indoors is fine but you may need to rabbit-proof certain parts of the home that are not safe for rabbits and also provide daily cleaning to prevent the rabbits from soiling carpets, cushions and floors. Many people end up keeping their rabbits outside in a rabbit hutch since it is easier to maintain and provides a more natural setting for rabbits to grow up in.
The two biggest concerns when keeping rabbits outdoors is larger animal predators and cold weather. When unsupervised its very easy for larger animals, such as raccoons, to sneak up and try and run off with a snack. Also, at night the temperature can drop significantly and if your rabbit hutch isn’t insulated against attack and frigid air you can end up losing your pets overnight in a break in or freeze. When choosing a rabbit hutch to keep your rabbits make sure it is a durable hutch that can deter predator animals and also has sturdy doors and roofs to ensure all the rabbits inside are safe and warm at night.
Most rabbit owners and veterinarians agree that the ideal temperature for rabbits ranges between 45 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit. Anything over 85 or under 45 degrees is cause for concern and may require bringing the rabbits indoors or supplying fresh water throughout the day so the bunnies don’t dehydrate. Though not as needy as dogs and cats rabbits aren’t entirely self-sufficient and it takes careful vigilance by the owner to ensure they have a safe and healthy upbringing.
If you have an outdoor rabbit hutch and expect temperatures to drop make sure you cover the hutch with a warm blanket or towel at night. In addition to keeping clever predators away this layer of insulation can go a long way in keeping your furry friends warm. You may also want to include warm blankets in the hutch so rabbits can cuddle together at night creating a warmer environment for sleeping.
Consequently, when the weather gets warm it is imperative that you keep the hutch in a shaded area as extreme heat can cause havoc with their welfare. It is also wise to keep fresh, cold water around for drinking and to even wrap a bottle of ice water in a towel and keep it in the hutch for added coolness.
Large outdoor rabbit hutches are great living environments for raising rabbits and with the right hutch and accessories you’re ready to provide a loving home for your furry pet. Once you’ve factored in all the internal and external hazards and have made the necessary adjustments you can safely introduce your rabbits to their new hutch and let them become acquainted with their new surroundings.