Do they need to have time outside

[NickiM]

 Do bunnies need time outside? do they get vitamin d from the sun like people. I dont have a safe place where my bun could go outside and play. Will this affect his health or make him unhappy??

thanks

[bunnymama]

Hi Nicki -when I got my first bunny 3 years ago, my vet told me it was a smart decision NOT to allow my bun outside since it would not have any antibodies to fight off any diseases from other animals in the wild. Therefore none of my buns go outside.  I have many predators (cats, hawks) in my area. Friends of mine had there bunny out in a confined pen until a cat tried to attack it, knocked down the pen and bun ran away and was missing for 7 hours! Luckily they found him hiding under a bush before it got too dark.  So I am a big fan of no outside time unless you can 100% guarantee it will be safe –and as I’ve learned with my buns you always have to expect the unexpected.

Not sure about the vitamin D — I’ve never seen anything on that before.

[jerseygirl]

I’m of the school of thought that it is beneficial (sunlight+vitamin D) Provided the risks of letting them outdoors don’t outweigh the benefits. Do you have any spots in your home that get a bit of sunlight coming in? My doe loves to bathe in the sunlight that comes in the living room sometimes.  In the wild, rabbits spend majority of the day underground and above ground during lower light times. So judging from that, I’d say they don’t need loads of sunlight.

[Karla]

Aren’t there vitamins in the pellets you give? Otherwise you can buy some specific vitamin pellets.

No question that bunnies love to come out – we would be bored as well if we never could go out. After having had my bunny out just once in our garden, he began to sit by the terrace door every day clearly begging to be let out again. So I would suggest if you don’t have a garden, but you have an area close by where you can take him in a harness/leash, that you do that. He will love you for it

And I am not too sure about cats. I think it is a rare example. I grew up with cats and bunnies roaming freely in the garden. And Karl has just been on holiday at my parents’ place with 4 cats (and all the others in the neighbourhood) where he was just let out in the garden, and the cats’ reaction was either acceptance or confusion. No aggression or hunting instinct.

[Beka27]

It is not necessary for buns to have time outdoors. You can do it if you have a safe place and time to sit out there and supervise constantly, but if not, please don’t worry that your bun will be unhappy or unhealthy. I have a big window by the bunny pen, so my buns get sunlight from there, on a nice day I can open it up and they get a good breeze. I’m not positive about the vitamin D statistics on pellets or veggies, but as long as you feed a variety of fresh foods, the bun should be good as far as vitamins go. Vitamin supplements should not be necessary.

[jerseygirl]

Sun cured hay is a source of dietry vitamin D but it isn’t one of the vitamins they can obtain easily from diet. I think the body processes a certain type also to utilise it. But I agree, I don’t think your bunny would be unhappy or unhealthy for not having outside time. Just be aware, once you introduce them to new space, they’ll beg to go back there constantly

[RabbitPam]

One of the hazards of outside is the widespread use of pesticides on lawns, in parks and in gardens. Airborne chemicals can still add a risk to the outdoors near your home. Unless you can be certain of the safety, it’s not a necessary risk to take for the bunny. They can also feel threatened by dogs or hawks that they can hear nearby. It can end up being stressful rather than enjoyable. You are not depriving them by keeping them inside always.

[Author]

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