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Forum HOUSE RABBIT Q & A The dreaded question

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    • Whobott
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        So i have read lots of threads and done lots of research on this subject. So i finaly did it and bought my rabbit a harness. But dont freak out just yet, i got one that is more of a vest than a harness and the leashe is elastic. Its not for outdoor use its so i can le him around our house and on our deck. I cant afford an xpen and he would hate it. He also hates being handled. So what is the best way o get it on? And am i that bad of a bunny mom for buying him one? thanks in advance!


      • JackRabbit
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          I’ve always heard not to put a leash or harness on a bunny because if they get spooked or try to run that they can break their backs when the leash tension hits. So, if the potential tension from the leash (strap) can break a bunny’s back, and the purpose of the leash is to keep the bunny from getting away or going where he shouldn’t by giving him only distance of the length of the strap via tension, how could a leash be used without putting the bunny at risk? I’m not trying to give anyone a hard time, I actually bought a harness/leash for my first bunny. I never used it because I couldn’t figure out how to use it without putting the bunny at risk. I’m curious to see what responses you get.


        • Stickerbunny
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            Even the harness vest types can be dangerous, as if they spook your only options are to let the leash go and lose the rabbit, or hold on and risk broken bones.

            Some people use them, but even people who do bunny agility (so well trained buns with experienced handlers) have lost rabbits to the leash injuries. If you do use it, the best way is to adjust him to it inside without the leash attached and use treats and short training sessions. He needs to be comfortable in it before you add in outdoors (yes a deck is still outdoors) since an already tense rabbit is more likely to spook to unknown noises.

            My suggestion would be to keep an eye on craigslist or something though for cheap x-pens, they aren’t that expensive if you buy them used.


          • LBJ10
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              I think it depends on the rabbit too. Some don’t spook easily, others do. With so many variables going on outside beyond your control, it is difficult to predict what would happen. Leopold has a harness and leash. I have never used it outside though. He has had it on a few times inside and there were no problems (he’s deaf and lazy and you couldn’t get him to fly into a sprint even if you wanted him to). I don’t think I would risk actually using it though. I would say it is not recommended, but it would be up to the owner if they wanted to take that risk.

              If your bunny doesn’t tolerate being held, I’m not sure how you would get it on. You have to put the vest on by going under their belly.


            • BunnyBrigade
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                I’m not sure how vests work with bunnies. I have one for my cat and she likes to use it so getting it on her is not an issue. My only concern is that if you’re having issues trying to get it on him, it may spook him and make him upset and stress him out a lot. I recently had to try to put a dog shirt on my bun to cover up his stitches that he kept picking at. He hates being picked up and messed with. It stressed him out so much he started to try to box me. That’s when I said just forget, I’ll just watch him. You really just want to watch your bun and make sure that trying put it on him is not going to stress him out too much because he may not be keen on trying to walk with the harness.


              • Whobott
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                  So before i begin thank you for the responses! So the main idea of it is indoor and if he spooks i can always let go at any time and he shouldnt go far our deck is actualy inclosed with mesh walls and not very big so i could always let go and i havnt decidied if i were to try outside yet Nway and Larry isnt used to being handled at ALL. He takes alot more time to get used to things than most bunnies since he lives at the shelter for over half his lifetime and barely even got looked at so he isnt used to normal houselife or being handled. So we try to handle him a little each night during floortime so i have tryed putting the harness on each night instead. I have gotten the front half on i dont know ifh e hates ito r not though because he doesnt give me time to get his ears out of it before he tries to get it off. (Whew that was long sorry) thank you very much! P.S. Im a kid without a job so money is tight and just feeding him gets expensive so i picked the 10$ harness over an xpen.


                • sugarbunny515
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                    What about some agility clubs?

                    To quote the agility club in my city:

                    “Leashes will only be used in training situations or where it is required for safety.”

                    So how does one get it on them for training and safety situations?


                  • Stickerbunny
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                      Agility rabbits use leashes and it’s part of their training to get them used to it – you adjust them to it slowly, leash off first and then around the house (familiar environment). But, as I mentioned before, even agility trainers have had accidents with the leash which resulted in the loss of a rabbit. So, no matter how well trained both human and rabbit are in their use, there is always a risk. It’s up to each owner to decide if it’s worth it.


                    • Kokaneeandkahlua
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                        I know someone who did rabbit agility and her rabbit broke it’s back in proper equipment in a controlled environment. She was experienced, the rabbit was used to the leash and vest. I don’t know anyone who could be more qualified and experienced with rabbits, and the leash.
                        I can’t imagine how hard that was to go through.

                        I used to be one of those: I know what I’m doing and it will be fine and used the vest and elastic leash. Never again.

                        You don’t have to buy an x-pen, you can make them from cubes, or other materials if your handy. It’s not going to happen to every rabbit owner who uses a leash, but my take is, why would I risk it.

                        I’ve only had two rabbits who sort of enjoyed the outdoors, and they were find unleashed exploring a fenced garden while supervised. No leash needed for supervised exploring, with some bunny proofing.


                      • Beka27
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                          I would also say to not even chance it. If you can make some modifications to your deck area so he can roam there safely, i would just go that route.


                        • ditsyisnotditsy
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                            I use leashes on my rabbits. I know they say theres a risk for injuries. I researched the heck out it before hand. But in the end, I ended up getting one. I use a harness but a regular leash, I guess. Not elastic. Elastic is kind of scary. It can snap back. I used a leash on my first rabbit for eight years and currently use one on my rabbit now of two years. I guess it depends on the owner and the pet. I got lucky and had bunnies that were extremely comfortable and not easily spooked. I only use a leash outside. Inside is free range. The leash is secured to my oak tree or me and my rabbits are given a good amount of slack to roam and explore just shy of my shed. They love it! My rabbit actually butts her head through the hole when I try to put it on. She knows its playtime! Just be careful and know your rabbit. A leash doesn’t work for everyone or every bunny.


                          • Bunnylove12
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                              For my bunny, I started him on a vest harness as soon as I got him. I would put it on him and let him run around the house supervised (no leash) until he became used to the feeling of it. Now I only put it on him when I take him outside. We have hawks everywhere here, so the harness has only a 4 foot leash which allows me to scoop him up quickly if he gets scared or there’s danger. I used to put a banana in front of him to eat while putting the harness on to teach him that good things happen when this process happens. Now, when I call him, he runs to me and looks for banana while I fix the harness. I take him out once a day to munch dandelions and grass, it makes him very happy to get some sense of nature, which I feel is important for any pet!

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                          Forum HOUSE RABBIT Q & A The dreaded question