I would not let my rabbit outside at all – too much of a risk that he will get away from you.

I’ll second Sarita, too many risks!!

One member brought snow from inside and filled the bathtub, then let his rabbits play with it in there…What if you did that?

Remember that wild rabbits have been outside all fall and thus are accustomed to the cold, whereas it would shock your rabbits!!

It’s a topic for debate really. Some people take their rabbits outside (I have on occaision) and some never will. Really, you don’t have to worry AT ALL if you never take them out. But if you do, here’s what you want to be careful of, or worry about.

A rabbit can get scared on a leash and hurt himself or get tangled up.
A dog or a bird of prey could grab him very very quickly-are you fast enough to react?
Wild rabbits can and do carry diseases that could be transferred by your rabbit being somewhere they were previously.
Mites and worms could be transferred from other animals to yours, by contact with an area where they were previously.
Cold and Heat are problems for rabbits, it’s advisable if you take them out to only take them out in mild weather (70F, 21C etc)
Rabbits can get scared to death; How would you react if something (A car, predator etc) scared your rabbit badly and he fled…

That being said some of us do take our buns out occaisionally. You need to be mindful they don’t get hung up in the leash, they are watched at all times (or in a completely 360 degree enclosed area-predators can fly and dig!!) and your ready for any dangers.

I don’t mean to scare you, just be very mindful of the risks of course!!

i would also bring the snow into the tub. this way there is a somewhat controlled environment, the house will be warm so there’s less of a risk of the bun getitng too cold while playing, and if at any point the bun visibly stops having fun, you can easily remove him from the tub.

an aside to your question… is there any risk of bringing snow inside?  i live in a heavily wooded area and fleas are a real risk where i am, therefore my buns can never go outside to play.  but in the winter, there are not going to be any fleas out right?!  is there anything “bad” i could bring inside if i brought in a bucket full of the white stuff?

The people at the shelter here in Colorado recommend:
1. If there is more than 30 degrees difference between out side and inside – like 30 degrees outside and 75 in your house – that the deference can be a “shock” to the bunny system.
2. However, just like other animals, bunny’s do like snow! If you do plan on taking bunny out – make sure they don’t get all wet from the snow – that could really make them sick.

Beka- bringing in clean snow should not be an issue at all.  It is not likely at all to find fleas or ticks in clean fluffy snow.  They need heat- so they stay on their host.  And intestinal parasites also are unlikely to be able to transferred thru clean snow (through soil yes- snow, no).

I take Little Man outside all the time. At first, I would stay within a few feet of him, chasing him around the yard and such. Now he has a 6ft leash and harness. When we go to the park, I make sure to keep an eye out for dogs so I can pick him up well in advance. We play in the yard alot too. He doesn’t startle very easily and hasn’t ever hurt himself on the harness.
We can’t wait for the snow!!!

Oh! I should really put some snow in the bath tub and see what Fern thinks! I never even thought of that, thanks, Kokaneeandkahlua. I bet Fern would be really interested….

drat… no snow here pics anyone??

Posted By ADEE on 11/22/2008 6:29 AM
drat… no snow here pics anyone??

Bailey and Tegan playing in the snow this past spring:

OH my wish I loved snow!! I snowboard but I really hate the white stuff. Life long goal (ok…among other things!!) is to move somewhere that snow is unheard of!! Yuck!

Here’s the white stuff out at the horse shelter last week…

I love those picks K&K. I have never seen snow before.

its amazing, i dont know what id do if there were never snow around where I live.

But I guess you can’t miss what you’ve never had?

you need to go visit a place that has snow one day!

I love the pics of the bunnies playing in the snow!  I am going to have to bring some snow into the tub for a photo shoot.  We always send a pic of some our pets with Christmas Cards- maybe it will be a bunny in the snow this year- of I can photoshop a pic of both bunnies in the snow together.  Of course if I caught a moment of flopping vs. bunny butt that could be a cute photo too.  I love when they try to outdo each other with their indifference.

WOW Lisa i’m moving near you when I grow up I was at a drive through the other night and the man leaned out the window and gasped ‘it’s snowing’ it was his first snow ever…I always think its cool to see people watch their first snow though!!