leaving buns while on vacation

[Griffenbun]

In a few weeks we are lucky enough to be going on a winter vacation to be free of -40 weather for a week!  unfortunatly we can not take Griffen and Hutch.  I have the option of packing them up and bringing them to their auntie’s house (who owns two cats) where they will have attention and get exercise. my other option is my friend that has agreed to stop by every day and feed them, but will they be ok not being out of their cages for one week?? 

[longhairmike]

take them to the aunt’s

since we’ve had our buns, our longest vacations have consisted of flying out saturday morning & return flight monday afternoon.

[Monkeybun]

well… would the cats be able to get to them? are they socialized with rabbits? If not, it is probably safer for them to stay at home. One week of not getting to play won’t hurt them any.

[LittlePuffyTail]

I went to Florida for a week and had my friend, who is bunny savvy, come over twice a day to check on them and feed them. She let Bindi out for run time but she couldn’t get Stormy out of his cage because he can be really aggressive with strangers so he went all week with no out time. It doesn’t hurt them but they certainly don’t like it.

Just some advice if your friend is not bunny experienced, have her come to your house before hand, explain their routine, show her where everything is and tell her about signs of illness to look out for. Make sure to leave a detailed care list and vet numbers. It’s also a good idea to show her how to pick up the bunny, tell her to make sure they are pooping every day, etc. They should be checked on morning and evening because if something were to happen like an illness, a bunny can get really bad really fast. It’s a lot of work to ask of a friend but I paid my friend well for her hard work and gas expenses (also brought her back some nice Thumper merchandise! ) It was worth every penny to know my buns were in good hands.

When I was in Florida I worried a lot, I had never left my bunnies that long. I bought a travel calling card and called my bunny-sitter every night for a quick update.

[Elrohwen]

Hmm, both sound like good options, especially if they can keep the rabbits in a room away from the cats. If they can easily keep the animals separated, I think they would be better off there where they can get attention and exercise. If your aunt only comes over to feed them twice a day they probably won’t get any time out of their cage.

I’ve done both options. The last time we were on vacation for almost two weeks and we left the buns with a friend. I thought he would let them out, but he was too afraid (not sure of what?) and they only got out once and were in their pen the rest of the time. They were just fine! A little more destructive than usual, but they lived through it.

[meow1]

I went away for a week and had someone come over at least once a day. They let him out of his cage to play while they cleaned the litterbox, changed water, put fresh food out, etc, and also tended to my cat and dog. Everything was fine, although Sunny is used to being out his cage more than like 15 minutes a day, he was just fine. He does have a 3 story “condo” though. Not sure what your cage set up is like..

[Beka27]

A week of limited exercise will not affect them too badly. Are they in an xpen or condo with horizontal space?

[xParadise]

I would leave them at home, the stress of being moved around (and possibly terrorized by strange cats) will be a lot harder on them than being stuck in their cages for a week- at least they’ll be at home feeling comfortable and safe. Just make sure your friend knows what to look for in case of an emergency and knows your regular routine, they’ll be fine. Although, I will caution you will likely have to deal with some serious rabbitude once you get back.

[Griffenbun]

wow thanks everyone for the input!!! For Beka27, they are in horizontal pens, im not sure what an “xpen” is can someone fill me in? Its nice to know they will be ok for a week without exercise, they usually get a few hours each a day. Ribbitude sounds interesting!!! I like the point about the how the cats might react to the buns. the buns have never seen cats before so i think i will keep them at home. It also -40 celcius here in winnipeg and i would feel very badly about transfering them to the car.

[Griffenbun]

wow thanks everyone for the input!!! For Beka27, they are in horizontal pens, im not sure what an “xpen” is can someone fill me in? Its nice to know they will be ok for a week without exercise, they usually get a few hours each a day. Ribbitude sounds interesting!!! I like the point about the how the cats might react to the buns. the buns have never seen cats before so i think i will keep them at home. It also -40 celcius here in winnipeg and i would feel very badly about transfering them to the car.

[Monkeybun]

an xpen is an exercise pen, I use them for my buns instead of cages.

http://www.petco.com/product/5874/Precision-Pet-Eight-Panel-Wire-Pens.aspx?CoreCat=certona-_-productdetail_3-_-Precision%20Pet%20Eight%20Panel%20Wire%20Pens-5874

[stella'smom]

LOVE the xpen!!! i just bought one after seeing the pic! i’m going to attach it to her cage, so i can get her in the cage if i need to. do you just leave her in the xpen always? does she have a bed? can i see a pic of some of your xpens? i would probably keep her cage anyway, so she’s portable, and can come with us on vacation. now i have to go look at pics of set-ups!

thanks!

[stella'smom]

i should probably have a litter pan inside and outside her cage then right? (one inside the xpen and one inside her cage.) right?

[Monkeybun]

 

This is how my pen was recently set up. I had a cage made of NIC grids attached to the pen, with 24/7 access to both. Litter box in, and out of hte cage area.

[stella'smom]

ooohhh…. i love it!

[angie-la]

I’ve found it easier to leave the buns at home and have my mom or my rabbit savvy friend come over to feed them and check up on them. bringing them to my boyfriend’s house was a disaster because the whole process of hauling all their stuff and finding a spot for them was so stressful [on me and the buns], and the buns could hardly get any playtime. plus I think they were kind of freaked out at being in a completely different habitat, so in my opinion it’s better leaving them at the house where they’re familiar with the environment. the longest I’ve gone on vacation is a week and a half. like MonkeyBun I use an x-pen for them, so they still have ample space to move around while it’s closed =]

but yes, leave a detailed list of phone numbers, emergency vet places, what to look out for [ie not pooping or eating], and it should be fine. be prepared to miss them terribly and yes, be prepared for some rabbitude when you get back lol. enjoy your vacation!

[LittlePuffyTail]

Monkey’s digs are pretty posh!!!! Love the royal purple and the teddies!

[Griffenbun]

Thanks yah i think it may be really stressful for them to be moved! that X-pen is magnifico!!! where do u buy them and how much are they?

[LittlePuffyTail]

Most pet stores have them in assorted sizes and heights. Make sure you get one that’s plenty high so that your bunnies don’t make an escape! The prices vary. I got mine for $75.00 which I thought was expensive but they will last forever. May be cheaper where you are.

[angie-la]

I bought mine on amazon for $50

[Griffenbun]

wow 50$ is very good, i just went looking and they are 100$ at the pet store :s

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