Collars ?

[Mr.Pickles]

Hey guys!

So I got Pickles a little collar with a tag that says his name and contact info on the back.  Now, I read a lot about how collars are not good for rabbits because of their fragile neck and stories about how they might get something stuck under the collar or struggle with it and therefore have bad accidents.. but after putting the collar on him (even while putting the collar on him he didn’t put up a fight), he doesn’t seem to mind it at all and hasn’t tried tearing it or getting under it.  The collar is an elasticized braid and therefore can be adjusted to fit him perfectly, it was the only collar without pre-punched holes for the sizing (I found even the smallest is still too big).  I contemplated taking the bell off but he doesn’t seem bothered by it at all either.. he’s still just as happy and hasn’t been acting out of his normal self.  The collar fits snuggly and I can fit my finger under the collar so that I know it isn’t too tight.  I know harnesses are better for rabbits if need be, but I do not want to have him in a harness all the time and I think I will have more trouble getting him into a harness (he doesn’t like his limbs being touched so even trimming his nails is a whole lot of work).  

http://www.petmountain.com/product/cat-collars/11442-519056/lil-pals-collar-with-bow-pink-5-16-x-6-8.html 

This is the kind of collar I got him – I just found it on this website because it has more of a detailed description.  I originally got it at Pet Valu ( http://www.petvalu.com/in-our-store/products/cat/supplies-and-accessories/collars-and-harnesses/cat-collar-adjustable-kitte ) [I him the blue one haha]

What do you guys think? Do you think it will be ok for me to keep it on him?

Thanks

[Kbana]

I personally wouldn’t put anything like that on my bun. I would be nervous that he would decide against it and struggle to get out of it and end up hurting himself. Can I ask why you want a collar? Generally dogs have a collar with their info so that if they are lost they can be returned to their owners. Since Pickles is a house bun, I don’t see a need for a collar and tag. It really seems to me that this is potentially dangerous and unnecessary. I would hate to see anything happen to him.

[Mr.Pickles]

I’m afraid he’ll hop out the door because we live in a unit apartment and his play area is closest to the door. Additionally, he is a free reign bunny. Due to the fact that our apartment is rather small, we don’t want to have enough room for an xpen and I don’t want to have to fence the entrance.

(He doesn’t get at wires or furniture and usually when he’s out of his crate (which he’s in at night while we’re sleeping) either one of us is home to supervise him to make sure he’s not getting into too much trouble and he’s generally really well behaved (except he’s taken a liking to our wooden shoe rack which we’re training him not to chew and he’s gotten to a point where he knows that he’s not supposed to be chewing it – the spray bottle told him so).

I live in Kingston and it’s a fairly small city where they’ve been receiving tons of stray bunnies and cats and I don’t want Pickles to be one of those.. at least if he has a collar, people will be identify him as a house rabbit and not a stray. Heaven forbid if anything happens to him, at least there is contact information on him. I am thinking about getting him microchipped eventually (probably for January) but as of now, having a collar is the only option temporarily.

[MoveDiagonally]

Collars are very dangerous and 100% unnecessary. Rabbits have very delicate bones and as prey animals they are prone to panicking when they feel restrained. If he’s wearing a collar and it gets snagged on anything, even for a moment, he could panic and break his own neck. This is the same reason that harnesses are also not recommended for rabbits. Even calm rabbits in the hands of very experienced rabbit handlers have accidents in harnesses that injure or kill the rabbit.

Honestly, I would fence/block off the entrance if him escaping is a serious concern. I don’t think a collar is a good option even temporarily.

[Dwarf Sparrow]

Could you get him microchipped at his next vet visit? It would be another way to identify him if he got lost, without the concerns and hazards that come with the collar.

[Bam]

It really is dangerous for a rabbit to wear a collar. What if, if he does run away, so else finds him and tries to grab him by the collar? His neck would snap. The risks outweigh the benefits imo.

I think fencing the entrance is the best option. If he escapes it’s likely you’ll never see him again anyway, whether he’s wearing a collar or not.

But it’s really lovely of you to care so much about your rabbit.

[Beka27]

I agree with the others. Collars are not safe for rabbits. You make some good points, but I truly feel that there is no justification making it okay.

The problem with rabbits is that “something” is NOT an issue…. until it BECOMES AN ISSUE!
Bunny chewing on the coffee table isn’t an issue, until she does.
Bunny peeing on the bed isn’t an issue, until he does.

The same is true for safety concerns.
Bunny has played outside unsupervised for years and has never been air-lifted by a hawk… until she is.
Bunny has worn a harness/collar for days/weeks/months and has never freaked out…

Do you see where I’m going? :o/

Just because she seems okay with it now, does not mean she’ll never have a freak-out moment.

I’ll also say that I would never, ever, ever recommend any type of bell on a rabbit (or persistent noise in an area the rabbit cannot escape from). Rabbits have super sensitive hearing. She may not be acting bothered by it, but I have to think in terms of myself: it would drive me NUTS to have a constant ringing that I cannot get away from. Some rabbits may even figure out that the ringing only happens when they move… so they STOP moving around. The bell is really a moot point though, because the safety risk far outweighs the annoyance of the bell.

[Mr.Pickles]

Thanks for all your replies guys I took the collar off Pickles and hopefully nothing will happen to him between now and when I get him microchipped Pickles thanks you all too

[Beka27]

🙂

This makes me feel better. I worry so much about our members bunnies!

He is completely gorgeous! Is he a mini rex or a standard? I can’t tell from the picture.

[Mr.Pickles]

you know what? I have no clue actually! The previous owner told me he’s a dwarf but I don’t have any past history for him so I have no clue! The lady at the pet store said he looked like a mini rex but I was told he was a Netherland Dwarf or he could be a standard! I’m not entirely sure haha what do you guys think??

https://binkybunny.com/FORUM/tabid/54/aft/127443/Default.aspx

[LittlePuffyTail]

I definitely see the plushness of a Rex. Could be a Rex mix. How much does he weigh? I love him…..

[MoveDiagonally]

This makes me feel better. I worry so much about our members bunnies!

Me too!

He looks like he has at least some Rex in him to me as well.

[Sarita]

Well for sure he’s a Rex. Most people call any size a Mini Rex LOL even if they are 8 pounds which would be a standard. How much does he weigh?

[Mr.Pickles]

I weighed him two days ago and he’s 4.2 lbs I think if he’s a mini he’s definitely a little on the chubby side haha (we’re working on that) and he’s almost 3 years old now

[Sarita]

I agree – a Mini. He’s very pretty.

[Beka27]

Definitely a mini then. 4.2 pounds sounds perfect to me! Rex breeds always look chunkier because of their dense fur. My girl looks… Voluptuous… But her weight is spot-on.

[Author]

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