Gone for a day?

[peppypoo]

Just a quick question – I’m planning to be out from 9-10am of one day to around noon of the next.  Is it okay if I just give Peppy her full day’s ration of pellets and veggies before I leave, and make sure she has plenty of hay and water?  I don’t think she’ll overstuff herself all at once; she’ll usually lie down for a bit when she’s full.  We normally feed her half the pellets in the “morning” (which can vary greatly depending on when we wake up, anywhere from 8am to noon…heh), veggies around dinnertime, and half the pellets around midnight.  I want to ask somebody to come check/feed her, but my boyfriend keeps telling me not to worry, lol. Plus, it’ll be kind of tricky finding somebody who will be around; most everybody goes home for break.  Thanks!

[longhairmike]

yes she’ll be fine. just put a mountain of hay and bowl full of pellets. a one-time pellet feast isnt going to make her blimp out.
the water is the most important thing. if you have a bolted-to-the-cage waterbowl you can just fill it to the tippytop

We’ve taken a few weekenders where we would fly out saturday morning and return monday afternoon.
even when we got back there was still a lot of hay and pellets remaining.

[Kate Monster]

My suggestion would be do everything in your power to get someone to come check on her, maybe in the evening after you leave. Less because of the food/water issue but because, while it’s unlikely, bad things can happen and bunny problems can get serious fast. Also, for your own peace of mind. Offer them twenty bucks, dinner, or a bottle of wine/vodka (depending on your friends and assuming that you’re 21+ of course!) I find that usually convinces the people I know to do me favors. But if you can’t, in terms of food and water and such I think she’ll be OK. One other issue is emergency planning. If something were to happen to delay you guys coming home, I think you really would want someone who could come and take care of your bunny. So even if you don’t have someone willing to come over during your intended trip, I would want to make sure there was someone with a key who would come over if you’re delayed. I suspect you’ll get a wide range of answers to your question. But in the end, you know yourselves and your bunny the best!

[RabbitPam]

Having someone with a key is a good back up plan if you don’t know someone to check on her that night.

I think, barring an unforseen accident, she’ll be fine with supplies as the others described. My only ammendment is to suggest two water options. some people have a water bottle and a crock of water. My bunny doesn’t use a bottle, so I have two bowls of water in her house at all times, so when she drinks one down, or steps in it with a stray pellet or poo that makes it yucky, she has a clean one right next to it as back up. Unlimited hay and a full dish of pellets is find after the greens get eaten up.

Rabbits self-regulate, unlike dogs. They graze throughout the day and night, so they really never go hungry unless they run completely out of food. That’s why unlimited hay is excellent. You can fill half a litter pan with it and it won’t go to waste.

[Elrohwen]

I think she’ll be fine. Sometimes we go over to a friend’s house around 4pm and stay until 11am or so the next day – a little shorter than your trip, but not much. The bunnies are fine when we get back, though a little angry about their late breakfast 😛

[RabbitPam]

Oh, yes, and will all those who leave a night light on for their bunnies when they’re going to be out late raise their paws.

[peppypoo]

Thanks for the responses everyone! I think I’m going to ask around for people, but if there doesn’t seem to be anyone available, I’ll try to not worry about it too much and just make sure that she’ll have enough food/water/hay to last her a bit. Good tip about the water, RP, I’ll keep that in mind. And maybe a night light too . I am not expecting to come home to a very happy bun, but as long as she’s okay then i’m okay too!

[Bren]

Our are left for a weekend and they are just fine. I usually have someone check in on them but they are always just fine. I like the idea too of having two sources of water! There have been times when my buns were kept in a cage that the waterbottle got stuck and I didn’t realize it til the next day. (thank goodness!) now they have open water sources and I just feel better about it. Just a thought

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