A lot of active pet rabbits are living indoors most of their lives, and those are the safest places to stay, knowing that these creatures are prey animals. Their inter-reaction towards the environment are very distinct compared to predators such as dogs and cats. However, recent evaluations imply that rabbits love to play outdoors, too. Rabbits are naturally playful and conscious of trying new things. A lot of ideal pieces of stuff for pet rabbits can be seen outdoors.
Although they find security when they are indoors, they also get freedom when allowed to play outdoors. Pet rabbits are also exposed to fresh air, homey recreational occasions, live greens to explore, and, yes, some dirt, are not mostly available indoors. The best way to address the concern? An outdoor environment for the rabbit that is closely supervised.
Why Let the Rabbits Play Outdoors?
Just like other animals, rabbits need some time to exercise and play. They are socialized creatures. They want to get involved. Rabbits love to play on phone books, rolling things, and cardboard tubes to keep them occupied. Some owners secure their pets to have enough ‘run time’ outside their enclosure.
Being exposed to direct sunlight can be helpful to the appropriate development of the bones and teeth of the rabbits. Sunlight facilitates vitamin D in the skin to be converted to an energetic form that supports the rabbit to ingest calcium from the food. There is no specific rule or guidelines published on how long rabbits are advised to play outside, but it can be safe to conclude that in weather that is warm enough, extending up to several hours would be sufficient and beneficial.
In climates that are acceptable to the conditioning of the rabbit, if the pets get outdoor to play, owners should make sure to always supervise their pets to secure them from predators and prevent them from getting harmed. Properly built rabbit and predator-proof cages-runs, screened-in porches, and other alike structures can be an ideal way for the pet to securely enjoy his playtime outdoors.
When rabbits are allowed to play outdoors, you must keep in mind that you must give them sufficient shade and enough clean water to drink, so that they will not go overheat. You should not allow your pet rabbits to be exposed to extreme temperatures. They may enjoy eating grasses in the field, and that should be fine, as long as the field is not freshly treated with pesticides or any type of chemicals. The surest way to prevent this – as well as the threat of your pet likely feeding parasites in the lawn – is to plant and grow in a container or a small dish on a windowsill. Also, if you let your pet rabbit play outdoors, you should refer to your vet to get advice about suitable flea prevention since rabbits may also accumulate fleas.
How to determine if Temperature is Safe for your Rabbit when Outdoor?
It can be very enticing to bring your pet rabbit outdoor during sunny weather; however, you should always be mindful of doing such action. Being domesticated implies that rabbits are not equipped with the capabilities to endure the different environments outdoor.
Rabbits are not good at adjusting with extreme temperature changes. When in the wild, the burrows stay at a stable temperature all through the year. They manage the temperature of their body by growing thicker or thinner coats, which makes it hard to frequently move between outdoors and indoors.
Unlike men, rabbits do not sweat, and they manage to cool down by enlarging the blood vessels in the ears. One method to determine the temperature of your rabbit is to feel the temperature of the ears. Ear temperatures should be warm – neither hot nor cold.
When the season is warm, you must assist your rabbit in conquering the heat. Maintain them cooled and healthy while the temperature gets even higher. The acceptable outdoor temperature for pet rabbits is between the ranges of 12 to 21 degrees Celsius. Anything beyond that could make them feel unpleasant, and, in outdoor temperature that is over 30 degrees Celsius, your pet could get heatstroke.
How to Ensure a Safe Outdoor Playground?
Aside from humans, rabbits would relish the exposure to sunlight. Once the frost is gone, you may let your rabbit play outdoor to enjoy the sun and exercise.
Nevertheless, there are some things to put in mind when allowing your pet rabbits outdoor:
- Thoroughly inspect the area where you will be bringing your pet rabbit. Make sure that there no weed-killers or pesticides in the garden, any of which are greatly catastrophic.
- You must also consider the presence of predators. Keep your rabbits far from foxes, birds, cats, dogs, and other animals that could potentially startle and harm them. Even though they may not physically assault your pet, they can still cause your pet to get stressed because of their great fright to the predator.
- Heat is a major concern to consider if you allow your pet rabbit to play outdoors. Your rabbit may experience heat stress. Be cautious about the indications of heatstroke and help your pet cool down.
- Avoid your rabbit from poisonous plants such as oak leaves, ivy, holly, and plants that flourish from bulbs.
- Inspect your rabbit for ticks as well as other bugs after playing outdoors. Flies, mosquitoes, and bugs may bite your pet and can greatly cause diseases.
Your rabbit must have a fresh and clean supply of water that is always available, particularly during summer seasons, when they have to maintain hydrated and cooled down.
Tips when Rabbits Play Outdoors
It is greatly advised that if you like to allow your pet rabbit to play outdoor, you should build a rabbit run. Preferably, the run must secure 4 walls designed with top and bottom. The bottom part will let your pet dig his or her way out and inhibit the predators from coming in. The top portion will offer shade and drives away the hawks, owls, and other airborne predators.
The sides of the rabbit run must be composed of heavy welded wire that is not too broad for the predators to come in or for the rabbit to get out. An affordable method to build a rabbit run is to employ zip ties and custom wire storage cubes. Then it would be easier to customize the shape and size of the run.
Another alternative is to buy an exercise pen for the puppy and set it up outdoor. You will have to put more care and supervision in your rabbit in an exercise pen to make sure that it does not leap over the panels or burrow a hole underneath the panels. And again, you should keep your eye on your rabbit to make sure that no predator can come near it and do harm.
You may also want to buy a harness and a leash to stroll your rabbit. When we say walking with your rabbit, it simply means tailing your pet wherever it hops. However, your pet may dislike the wearing of harness and may exert great effort to detach it from the body. See to it that the walking jacket suits comfortably on your rabbit, so it cannot wiggle out it. Also, you must keep in mind that your pet rabbit may get scared by the idea that you are always running or walking after it. It may take a while for your pet to get used to that idea.
How to Design an Outdoor Playground for Rabbits?
There is no such thing as a master plan for an excellent outdoor environment, but there are some things you can do to facilitate a good outdoor environment.
- Dirt – Domestic rabbits originated from European rabbits, who are known to live by groups in warrens, and underfoot network of joining tunnels and burrows that they dredge in the earth. Ordinary garden soil or dirt that can be burrowed must be a priority on the things you should secure on the outdoor playground of your rabbit.
- Fresh-cut greens – Greens are not a primary component on the diet of your pet; however, exposure to different fresh foliage offers not just the dietary benefit of the rabbit, but also emotional aid. The goal here is to give flowers and cut greens in an unrefined vertical approach so that the pet rabbits can comfortably stretch and stand up to get the yummy leaves right above the branches.
- Security – Your outdoor playground should limit your rabbits while also offering cover from the weather and guardianship from predators and obnoxious scrutiny of other creatures and also nasty kids. Being prey animals, rabbits would normally fend off from open spaces where they do not feel secure, so you must establish an outdoor playground that is located in the shady area of your yard, far from the chaotic streets, dogs of the neighborhood, and overhanging branches of trees where birds and cats may linger.
Conclusion
The outdoors can offer your pet rabbit a beautiful and exciting experience. As long as you stay focus and put extra precaution to ensure the safety of your pet, allowing your rabbit to play outdoor should be an amazing thing to do.
