How much bunny-sitting does a bun need?

[Alfiebuns]

My partner and I are hoping to get married abroad next year and are wondering about how to go about getting our little fuzz balls looked after while we’re away. We will have to have all 4 buns bonded by then, it is a condition of us being able to leave them, but we don’t know anyone bun- knowledgable enough to babysit them properly. 

do you think it would be enough to ask a friend to visit twice a day, do the feeds, open/close back door and check everything is ok? 

Our buns have hoomin attention 24/7, we never ever leave them and even sleep separately so they’re never alone, we haven’t taken a holiday since we had the buns so it freaks me out a little thinking of them getting lonely 

What do other ppl do for vacations and bunny-sitting? 

[Beka27]

Oooh! Married abroad! Sounds romantic 🙂

When we’ve left for vacation or for a long weekend, we have a friend (with no bunny experience) who comes by the house once a day. I don’t think twice a day is necessary unless there is some type of health issue that needs close monitoring. When she came by, she would refill the water, top off the hay, and feed pellets and veggies. If it was just a long weekend, she didn’t do anything with the litter boxes. If it was a full week, I would prepare extra litter boxes before we left, so all she had to do was swap the old out for the new fresh box. I had veggies pre-portioned in the fridge, a measuring scoop in the pellets, and clear instructions. My goal is always to minimize the “thinking” she has to do, so I try to have everything set up very fool-proof. We’ve never had issues with this system, but we’ve also never gone away for longer than 7-8 days.

[Beka27]

She has also been instructed to NOT let the bunny(ies) out for exercise time. The bunny pen we have is a double xpen (4×8 feet) so for the short term, it is large enough for exercise space. Even with a bunny-proofed house, I didn’t want to risk them getting into something with us not around. It’s safer to have them confined for that time.

[Zombie-Sue]

As long as the rabbits are getting fed, I don’t think they’re going to miss you lol. Sorry.

[Alfiebuns]

I love the pre measured veggies idea, that’s something I worry about as all my buns are rescues and have different ‘requirements’ (… It has nothing to do with the fact I over fuss them and have made them picky in the process of doing so). We get our buns fresh veggies probably every 3 days too so That could be tricky.

You’re probably right with the twice a day thing being unnecessary too, They have a routine of being fed morning and evening but we could probably build that up to change to once a day. When do you feed your veggies and hay?

Haha you’re probably right about them not missing me too. Although Russ, one of our boys, watches my other half leave out the window and becomes very subdued for a little while after – granted he is easily brought out of this mood though. Also, previously when I have stayed away without my partner he has seen Alfie come to look for me at bedtime and wait at the top of the stairs for me! I think I’ve just talked myself out of going abroad next year ha!

[Beka27]

Haha Zombie Sue! Right?!

My single rabbit currently (and pair previously before Max passed away) gets veggies in the morning between 8-10am, and pellets in the evening between 6-8pm. I don’t feed at the exact same time every day bc my schedule varies. She always has hay, so if she’s hungry, that’s her option, take it or leave it!

My friend would normally come over in the early afternoon and give veggies and pellets at once. Again, hay is always there. They might be ticked off the first couple days when they don’t get their food “on time”, but there’s not a lot you can do about that.

If your friend lives very close by, maybe she’d be willing to come twice a day, but I try not to inconvenience my petsitter too much bc I know she has her own life, work, family, etc.

The veggie situation is tough when going on an extended trip…

[LBJ10]

For veggies, I would just get stuff that will keep for awhile. And if they get less than they normally do, it isn’t the end of the world.

[Eepster]

When we are going to be gone for an extended period we board Porky with our vet. For shorter trips, we set up a pen at my dad’s house. For weekends, we let the neighbor keep an eye on him.

Things may not be ideal when you’re gone (once Porky got fed iceberg when the fresh romaine we provided ran out,) but generally they will be good enough that you will come home to a happy healthy bunny.

[Cookie is #1]

hi,

when we have to go out of town I take Cookie (my rabbit) to a shelter called Bunny Bunch where they bunny sit your rabbit for fifteen dollars a night. But I think it would be best if you found a responsible friend who follows instructions to bunny sit your bunnies. Make sure the friend is willing to do it!

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