As you might recall, one of my baby rabbits died last week....

Anyway, I moved the hutch into the outhouse where its very cool, and I bring remaining bunny in every night for a run around. Anyway, this bunny is very tame and friendly, hates being in the hutch, comes up and sits on our laps and gets on and off the sofa (typical, I get an alpha bunny :D). Anyway, I want to keep him/her in the house with us, but away from the dogs, so I could keep him/her in the "forbidden" front room, but I wondered if it would be a better idea to keep him/her in a dog crate? Its safer, (incase Willis does manage to get in) cooler, better ventilation than a hutch, and is easier to clean... If I put a box in as a hidey hole, and some toys - what does everyone think?

Chloe

Chloe

My bunny is a house rabbit - always has been. He loves a run around - either in or out - but he spends his time when we're not at home in an indoor rabbit cage. Have a look[link https://www.petplanet.co.uk/shop/product.asp?dept%5Fid=145&pf%5Fid=0887] here [/link] this is very similar to what I have - and in reality it is bigger than it looks in the piccy - and is the new colourway which they show for the 120 model which is a bit bigger - and better if you have the space for it. The size of cage you'l need also depends on the type of rabbit. Mines a dwarf Engllish Lop so the 102 is fine.

My vet has rabbits and dogs and leaves them all alone together - but the bunnies came first and so the dogs don't bother. I'd never have the faith in my boys not to do something if they got at him without me around. They chase bunnies in the fields so instinct would be likely to kick in.

Bunnies live very well in the house and evidence suggests they live longer as they get mire interactiion and opften exercise than those that live outside in hutches.

So go for it - you'll see a fab side to him as they love being in the house and around you.:D

hth

Pam n the boys

Thanks Pam

I need something really rigid as Willis is desperate to get to the rabbit - I have a great Dane sized crate (too small now) with a removable tray at the bottom - its about 4 foot long - and I thought of putting the rabbit in there...its safe, is really big, and very protective just incase he does manage to get into the forbidden room...what do you think? No harm in trying I guess?

Chloe

I had a house rabbit and I cant see why the crate wouldn't work at all if you've got one spare!!!
You'd want to put some sort of grip mat on the bottom though becasue the metal would be too slippery.

Was thinking of using newspaper underneath the sawdust? I think bunny would be very happy....

My guinea-pigs have newspaper underneath the wood shavings, if that's any help...
:)

I think its a great idea chloe, having the rabbit indoors, just a few things tho, Rabbits can die of stress so it would be best if willis cant get near it, if he's always trying to get at the rabbit then it could frighten it a lot. The other thing is use wood shavings not sawdust because with it being a fine grain it can get into the rabbits eyes and cause irritation and infections. Hope it works out well for you, the dog crate sounds a great idea!

thanks Jackie

we are putting a bolt on the door at the top - so no-one will get in without us. Willis can open doors, but not that one as its a round handle, but one of the kids might leave it open by mistake...so we will do our best to keep him out - thanks

Chloe - a dog crate would be fine - I've used one as a stop gap before or if we take bunny on hol's with us:D

You just have to watch for drafts and also them kicking out stuff as they can be messy b*****s:D But if you put something around the crate about 6" high that should do the trick. With a dog crate, because you have the height as well - you could build a platform for him to use - put a solid ramp up to it - they love climbing:D - don;t used runged ramps as they can trap and break their legs:(

We use paper bedding - Safe-Bed I think it's called for the floor of the crate on top of newspaper - then we just roll the whole lot up to throw it away:D It's less messy than shavings.

Is your rabbit worried by the dog at all? Mine isn't - doesn't give a monkeys about them - in fact he taunts them:rolleyes: but if bunny is in the least bit worried - if Willis did get in and give him a fright - it could kill him Don't wont to worry you - but it's something to think about.

hth

Pam n the boys n Wizzy the bunny:D

No, he doesn't seem bothered by Willis - but Willis is very determined to get the rabbit :(

He/she is a lovely bunny - very tame - sits on the sofa watching tv and gets on your lap for a fuss and absolutely races around the front room at speed, giving little hops and skips (which i read is a sign of being happy in their surroundings) :)

I'll put something round the crate - and change the bedding to the paper stuff. I'm not happy with the hutch, because although its a massive two story one, its too warm in the house i think...so I'll keep that for if I have anymore that live outside, with a run attached :)

at least you've got a nice rabbit

mine absolutely hated me!!

I made the mistake of getting a young rather than baby rabbit and he hated me from the word go
didnt help he had to have two operations almost straight away!!!

didnt mater how long I sat with him he would just come out from under the bed, bite me and go back under!!!

Poor you Racheal - a nasty rabbit is no fun. We had our baby from 8 weeks but he was ill and also spent a lot of his early life at the vets and had major surgery twice and nearly died several times. He spent two weeks living in at the vest and we visited him twice a day during that time. People thought we were mad:D In the first 6 months he cost us £500 in vets fees and he's been worth every penny. He has the most wonderful temperament . Licks you to death and has never ever made to bite - no matter what we've gad to do to him - bless he is a real sweetie.

Pam n the boys

mine licks too :) ahhhhh - i love my rabbit

any advice on how to tell if bunny is a boy bunny or a girl bunny??!

best bet is to get the vet to do it as it's not easy to tell the difference

thanks Pam. Bunny is moving into his new residence this evening . I'll let you know how we get on!!

Hows Bunney doing in its new home ? Hope Willis is behaving himself !!

Was going to put a cocky answer on how to tell the difference in a boy bunney and a girl bunney but thought better of it !! :D Have they not got little 'pencils' like boy dogs?? :D

Lucy

Bunny is very impressed with the new abode... is currently sitting in top of his/her cardboard box, waiting patiently to be let out.

Willis is camping outside the door. I think he thinks he's a terrier :rolleyes:

In answer to the "cocky question :D" I'm not sure what bunnies have - and therein lies the problem! He was showing no signs of humping us when we were playing Uno last night...so female perhaps? lol

if you lay the rabbit on its back (on your knee) place two fingers either side of the genital area you will be able to find the sex, if a little pink willy pops out when pressing its a boy (obviously), if nothing pops up and there's just like a pink slit then its a girl, try doing this with one hand as the other hand should be placed on the rabbits chest to stop it wriggling or falling off your knee. Not a very pleasent thing to do i know but it saves you guessing! TTFN

thanks jacki :) I'll let you knwo how Jon (cos he's the one who will be doing it) gets on :D

C'mon, then! Is it Arthur or Martha?
:)

Come on Chloe, did anything pop out then when Jon did his investigations ?? ?? :D

Lucy
xx

:D @ Lucy and JG

Jon has, so far, been unsuccessful in his explorations. Bunny is less than keen to be placed on his/her back whilst being fondled around his/her bits.

Trying again tonight - after several glasses of red. Will keep you updated :)

I should give her a glass as well and then maybe she/he will loose its inhibitions!!

Lucy

I did want to get another one but my boyfriend has said he'll leave me if I do!!!!! :D
too many war wounds to forget