I don’t know. Fireworks can be very stressful for bunnies, but I guess they’ll be going off regardless of where they are. I’m really not sure. The issue with having them outside is you have no clue what might be around, or what is on the grass, and what kind of fleas/ticks are in the area. Why couldn’t they stay in the house?

How would you house them outside? Unless you have a very sturdy, predator-proof containment I’d say leave them at home. I would rehearse with the petsitter some more

If you are only going away for two days, I would leave them at home. Even without a bunnysitter.

I stayed home New Year’s Eve, because I didn’t want the bunnies to be alone on their first New Year’s Eve (and well, honestly because I’m terrified of fireworks :S ) and actually they did just fine. Only after 10 minutes, did they start to get a bit nervous, but that was all.

But I’m sure if your bunnies are outdoors, they would be quite terrified. At least, I had the windows covered and had music playing, but outside the fireworks just get too close and loud.

Who is your “petsitter”? Why on earth would someone agree to feed and check on pets while others are away from home… and then not do it? Is this a child? Or a very immature adult? Do you have a next door neighbor who can poke her head in once a day and give them some food?

Posted By Beka27 on 06/29/2010 06:45 AM
Who is your “petsitter”? Why on earth would someone agree to feed and check on pets while others are away from home… and then not do it? Is this a child? Or a very immature adult? Do you have a next door neighbor who can poke her head in once a day and give them some food?

Agreed, just find a different petsitter.

Either way, I’d still leave them at home. With them outside all day in an unfamiliar place, they will be more on edge, and the predators may come to investigate. It’s safer to leave them at home, even if litter boxes don’t get changed and they don’t get time out to exercise.

Posted By mocha200 on 06/29/2010 12:08 PM
well they take care of them like they feed them and give them water and stuff but don’t do anything else i ask!

What else are you asking them to do?

I agree, I would leave them at home. I don’t know where you are from but in most places it is really hot outside this time of year. I won’t even take my bunnies outside to play because it is too hot. Also the fleas, ticks and other parasites and predators are too scary too. 3 days at home isn’t that big of a deal without a pet sitter. I would do that. Having the pet sitter that doesn’t listen is more scary to me than just leaving them home for 3 days. You wouldn’t want your sitter to get them out and accidentally hurt them. Just leave plenty of food and lots of hay and maybe pick up a large water container or fill a few of them to make sure they don’t run out. They would probably be more comfy in a place that is home to them.

as long as the sitter feeds them properly, I would not worry. It’s only a few days. I would however premeasure their pellets and not allow them to feed any other pelleted ration.

Can you put a square of linoleum or a couple ceramic tiles under the litterbox, so it’s an easy clean-up when you get home, just in case? I have very little experience with petsitters (b/c I don’t go many places…) but I wouldn’t ask them to do anything but feed.

Like Petzy said, pre-measure pellets into ziploc bags, the proper amount (and maybe a *little* bit more, extra 1/8 cup) for each day.

Pre-wash and package veggies.

Maybe even put in an extra hay rack so they won’t have to mess around with the hay.

If they’re not very trustworthy, make it so they CANNOT fail. Don’t ask for extras, just the absolute necessities.

I’d be worried about them getting soggy if they’re in with the veggies. Just put the bags next to the cage out of reach of the bunnies.

When I have someone come in, I have the veggies all set on a plate in the fridge, wrapped in a plastic bag to stay fairly fresh.  If it’s more than once, I stick post-it’s on them with the right day.  There are also dishes of pre-measured pellets (or I suppose a ziploc would work as well) on the same shelf of the fridge, also labeled.  There is also a big note on the firdge about rinsing and refilling the water bowls (I always leave two in case she kicks one over.

That way it’s as simple as possible for the sitter.

Pepper is fine with being left for a weekend when travel, but if it’s a 3-day weekend or longer I’ll usually have somoene stop in to check and restock things.

If I am leaving her alone I leave 1.5 days pellets (so she won’t stuff her fat little face), her large hay-rack which holds enough for nearly 2 weeks is freshly filled, the litterbox is clean and there are two water bowls set not too near each other in case of spills.  For veggies it depends on what I have – I usually just leave a nice big pile, preferably including some stuff that keeps better like celery and cucumbers as well as the usual leaves and stuff.  She’s fine with those.

Yes, pellets can be in the fridge, but it’s not a good idea to wrap them with veggies because there will be moisture given off in the fridge, and that could change the consistency of the pellets.