Taking buns outside…

[Michelle&Lolli]

I live on the top floor of a 3 story apartment building, so I don’t think I will ever be hauling them downstairs to run around outside.  lol  I have thought about taking over to my mom’s yard and setting up their pen and letting be out there.  But again, this hasn’t happened yet and I don’t know if it will.  However, I would like to make my balcony bunny-safe and see if they would like to go out this fall when it’s cooler.  And I just want to be prepared in the event I do take them outside.  Plus, I’m a paranoid  rabbit owner.  I worry about everything.  lol

I have been told that if you allow rabbits outside they need to be treated for worms and flea/ticks.   Is this true and what products do I use? 

In all honesty, Eddie’s a big scaredy bunny and wouldn’t even go out on the balcony.  He doesn’t even go near the sliding door when I have it opened.  On the other hand, Lolli’s always going up to the screen door when it’s open and looking out.  She even hangs out by the sliding door when it’s open.  But I would at least like to bunny proof the balcony and see if they would enjoy being out there sometimes.  If I just let them on the balcony, would I still need to worm them? 

[KatnipCrzy]

Just out on the balcony with no access to dirt or grass they are unlikely to get intestinal parasite or fleas (if no other furry animals have access to the 3rd floor balcony).  So I would not treat them for fleas and worms in that case.

My bunnies would not likely enjoy being on a balcony so I do not take them out onto our deck.   I have taken them outside occasionally and put them into a dog crate with the bottom removed so they can access the dirt and grass.  But our yard is completely fenced in with chain link- and the only other furry animals in the yard would be our dogs- who they see in the house anyway.  And we treat our grass with absolutely NOTHING and I only have them in an area that cannot possibly have run off or wind transfer from our neighbors yard.  And I can only take them out when it is not hot at all and I can watch them the whole time.  My bunnies are used to AC in the house- so taking them out in the heat is too much for them as they are not used to it at all.  The grass can be cool and feel nice- but a wood deck or our stone patio would only reflect the heat back to them.  Yep, I am a paranoid bunny Mom- but my bunnies are healthy and happy.

[Sarita]

No, you shouldn’t have to worm them. Not sure where you live but your biggest dangers are the heat and fleas. I use Revolution if I need to treat for fleas and you would get that from your vet.

My rabbits never ever go outside however my rabbit Pepe managed to get fleas anyway and I treated him with Revolution (with my vet’s consent of course).

[Michelle&Lolli]

Ok! Thank you for the replies. Like I said, I’m a paranoid bunny mommy. lol

I don’t know that I will ever get around to bunny-proofing the balcony to let them go out there. But if I do, now I know what to be watchful for. The way they are, I’ll go to the expense and time to make it safe for them and they’d never go out. lol Kind of like when I make them toys and they sniff at them with disdain and then hop off, never even touching the toys. LOL I figured I probably take them over to my mom’s yard with their pen sometime and see how they do. It might be a pain to drag stuff over there, but I wouldn’t be out any expenses. lol

[mocha200]

should i be giving my buns flea medicine since they go outside sometimes? we give our cats flea and tic medicine.

[Deleted User]

hi bunbuns, I’m late in this discussion but I was sure sarita would mention the catio idea she found.

Check it out:

https://www.binkybunny.com/FORUM/tabid/54/a…fault.aspx

I do let my rabbits outside with extra caution though. I used to use my wooden patio but I live in the north where we only get a real heat in August.

I also tried several setups in my yard, fleas are not a big concern but I use kitten advantage on mine. My biggest problem is predators as I live rural.

The single largest threat to a rabbit outside is myxomatosis which can be transmitted by either fleas or mosquitoes. If you have this virus in your area, it is wise to leave your rabbit indoors. Ask your vet about this.

[mocha200]

what brand of kitten advantage? or doesn’t it matter? is it just like you put it on there neck type thing?

[Deleted User]

There only is one Advantage (made by Bayer). You get it from your vet. The kitten kind is the right dosage for a rabbit.

[Author]

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