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The subject of intentional breeding or meat rabbits is prohibited. The answers provided on this board are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet.  It is your responsibility to assess the information being given and seek professional advice/second opinion from your veterinarian and/or qualified behaviorist.

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Forum HOUSE RABBIT Q & A Squirrels and Rabbits?

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    • Emily
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        My rabbit Cookie is strictly an inside rabbit. she has free roam throughout my home and at night she has her own play area. Lately since the weather here in Jersey has been nice, I’ve been letting her go outside occasionally. NOT in a hutch. I have a fenced in yard that’s very large and she tends to just roam around happily eating grass while she’s out there. Yesterday, my heart DROPPED when I saw a squirrel 2 feet next to her. She was trembling and the squirrel didn’t seem to be frightened by her at all. I let my dog out to chase the squirrel away as I went to check on Cookie. She seemed quiet frightened, so I took her inside and she remained indoors the rest of the evening. After a quick evaluation, it doesn’t seem as though she was harmed in anyway. But I am still concerned as to how this occurred. Why didn’t the squirrel run away? why didn’t Cookie run and hide for shelter? What would be the worse case scenario right now? anyway comments would be greatly appreciated, thank you.


      • drwil
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          Rabbits are just easily frightened and can either become frozen or completely freak out. If she is an inside rabbit she was probably terrified since she does not know squirrels don’t eat rabbits.

          One of my rabbits absolutely freaked out the first time she saw a cat, running so fast she rammed her head through the bars of her cage. I had to bend them to get her head out.

          Don’t know where you live, but if you are anywhere in eastern North America grey squirrels have been living beside so many people, dogs and cats they really don’t care if we are around at all. They know we cannot catch them. I never had a dog or cat that could (not saying there aren’t ones that can).

          I would not worry, I have never heard of a squirrel biting an animal unless said animal was trying to mess with it. Probably the squirrel just did not care if your rabbit was there or not.


        • drwil
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            Sorry I see you are in Jersey; I assume you mean New Jersey USA, not the Jersey in the UK. Yes squirrels are everywhere and they are just used to humans and domestic animals.


          • tobyluv
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              It can be very dangerous for a rabbit outside, even in a fenced in yard. I know of at least one instance where a person was out in the fenced yard, near her rabbit and a hawk swooped in and attacked it. A predator can come out of nowhere, flying in, jumping over or tunneling under a fence. A loud noise could scare your rabbit and make bolt and injure herself. There is also a possibility that your bunny can get fleas or ticks outside or other insect bites. You also have to be careful about what they may eat out there – some plants are poisonous and rabbits can get worms if they eat vegetation where other animals have used the bathroom. Be very careful if you let your rabbit outside, it is far safer inside.


            • Taylor
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                Might I suggest since rabbits do love to be outside, that you let her outside in a fenced in area/tent type thing and stay in there with her? I really don’t think there’s much to fear in your own backyard except for the obviously crippling fear your bun experienced. They sell these enclosures on Amazon that have removable bottoms and tops that would give your bun room to run and graze but also to be kept close to you. Also, if you want to let your bun run around the yard and are scared for her wellbeing, might as well keep very close to her. She may feel crowded, but it’s better than a possible tragedy like a hawk flying in. Plus if she is running around, she may love that you are running with her. On the possibility of docile squirrels, that’s totally a thing. I doubt a squirrel would be any real danger if that one is indicative of other squirrel behavior in your state.


              • flemishwhite
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                  Don’t want to make a long story about the preludes to Bunny and her going outside. 

                  Bunny loved to go outside.  Out the front door and in the front yard.  I, or my wife, always accompanied her.  She loved to crawl through front yard vegetation and do a hidey thing. And the big thrill ….the neighbors had a bush next to the sidewalk. She loved to lay under the bush, right up next to the sidewalk, and when people came walking by with their dogs, the dogs had no idea that there was a bunny laying maybe two feet from them!  I was always nearby in case Bunny had a problem.  Actually, whenever I wanted to go back to the house. Bunny would follow me. She loved to be outside, but not by herself.

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              Forum HOUSE RABBIT Q & A Squirrels and Rabbits?