I know that some people do take their rabbits outside on a regular basis, but I feel like there are far too many dangers out there for a domestic rabbit. I do know someone whose rabbit was attacked and killed by a hawk in a fenced yard, and the person was nearby. I also unfortunately know of something that happened to a good friend of mine a couple of weeks ago. She had a small fenced in area in her yard, full of all kinds of vegetation for the rabbit to explore and play in. Her rabbit got sick and she assumed it was GI stasis and started that treatment. The rabbit didn’t get better and during another vet visit, it was discovered that she had warbles. The flies apparently lay eggs in the grass or in vegetation and when the rabbit hops by, they get on their fur, then the larva starts burrowing in. They removed some warbles, but the rabbit was still sick and wouldn’t eat. She was being given Critical Care in addition to antibiotics and other meds. They later found more warbles and removed them, but the rabbit was so weakened by this time and getting sepsis, that she had to be euthanized. They also suspect that she may have been poisoned by one of the plants she was eating out there, since blood work showed toxins in her system. She was only a little over a year old.

Besides those extreme situations, there are the more common problems such as fleas, ticks, fire ants, bees, worms that can be picked up if other animals have used the bathroom in the area, scary sights and sounds, all sorts of predators, they chance a rabbit could dig out or jump over a pen and run off, etc. My rabbits have a screen porch where they can enjoy fresh air, hear birds, etc. I will never take them outside.

I think it’s far safer to keep bunnies inside. My friend was devastated at the loss of her rabbit. She thought that she was providing her with a great outdoor playground, adjacent to the house, totally fenced in and safe to her mind, especially since she would be out there with the bunny as she raced around trees, dug fun tunnels, explored every space, etc. The bunny loved that place, but it turned into a nightmare for both of them.

I absolutely love the idea of being able to take my rabbits outside for play – I keep thinking “when I move to a place with a garden it’ll be great” but realistically there’s too many dangers. 

There is a lot of dangers t worry about, but if you do want to put them outside in a pen you could also add a blanket or something on top so nothing could swoop in. But still- there are many dangers!

The only time my buns get outside is for a quick hop on our porch which is fenced all around. They love to get some fresh air in their sniffers. We don’t have hawks here and I’m right there sitting with them. We only go out like once a week for maybe 10 minutes. It’s a huge thing cuz I have to sweep all the leaves and stuff off the porch that fall from our Maple trees. I’m super anal that not one leaf or seed is left on the porch that the buns could eat. I’d tried an Xpen once before when I had Bindi and Olivia and they hated being outside on the grass. They were really freaked out And I won’t every try that again because we have raccoons that frequent our neighborhood and I’m worried about nasty things they might carry.

But I feel, as most of you do, in most situations, buns are much better off indoors. 

Harnesses and leashes should never be used on bunnies.