Turning outdoor rabbits to indoor

[Biscuit@Smores]

Hello! I don’t know if this forum is right, but the question is essentially what the title states. Here is some background:

My Vet has recommended it, and though I’ve wanted to keep them indoors, my folk opposed it. I have had 2 other rabbits who were outdoors their entire lives . They also were solitary (no pairs) but my current buns (7yr old males) are. They’re free roam for the most part and the yard is pretty safe. They go in at night and they have been like that for quite some time.  I’ve got a bun with a dirty bottom and a case of fly strike which he has been immediately treated for. He is inside to heal but his brother (who is mainly healthy) is outdoors. I want both of them to stay in the same place together (outside/indoors) but, it’s tricky to figure it out. My folk are semi on board, and they are debating on putting them in our garage (which isn’t possible) and I want them to be in the house preferably with maybe some monitored outside time. I have a few concerns though

-Litter training- they are semi-litter trained, aka they have certain spots they go and mostly they go in boxes in the hutch. Like dog trainers are there possible rabbit trainers????

-Bunny proofing, especially with rabbits who are/were allowed to chew on trees and sticks all the time.

– Less space for them to roam and even less if they have only a certain room.

– the psychological effects/stress of such a change

Sorry, I know it’s a lot. Any advice/websites would be appreciated. I will also try consulting a vet if possible regarding my concerns.

[Biscuit@Smores]

Also note: I know that rabbits shouldn’t necessarily be outdoor pets but my folks are very hard to convince on the subject. They are the type to see an issue with them and go “They’ll get better on their own”. They were semi-convinced because of the recent issue.

[DanaNM]

Hi there,

I think it’s great you are working to bring them inside. A great starting point is to check out the sections here: https://binkybunny.com/house-rabbit-information/

There is a section on litter training, habitats, bunny proofing, etc.

For litter training, it will be important to get them neutered. Once neutered, most rabbits are pretty easy to litter train. It’s not so much training as taking advantage of an instinctive behavior to use one corner of the pen as the toilet area. Un-castrated rabbits are usually hard to litter train completely. They may still use a litter box a lot of the time, but will also mark other places.

As far as keeping them happy and stimulated inside, I think you could do a lot by bringing in safe branches and twigs for them to chew on inside, as you probably already have a sense of what is safe for them to eat from the garden. I would be best if the buns could be in an area with lots of human activity. Garages don’t tend to be ideal because people don’t spend a lot of time in there, and the temperature fluctuations can be extreme. You especially need to worry about how hot it will get.

Having a large bunny-proofed roam to roam in is recommended. With suitable flooring and enrichment (tunnels, hides, some toys), most buns are very happy in this set up. You can also do things like provide a digging box if your buns like to dig. You could also still give them some run around time in the garden when you can but having their primary home indoors will definitely be safer for them.

. . . The answers provided in this discussion are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or a qualified behaviorist.  

[Biscuit@Smores]

Thanks! I will check it out!

I forgot to mention that they are neutered, hopefully it will work out 🙂

[Biscuit@Smores]

I mentioned this in another thread, but my healing rabbit is rather bored, I gave him some toys, but he isn’t interested. Both have never been into toys so, I’m concerned that when I move them indoors they will become under-stimulated on top of that the space to roam would be smaller which may add more stress.

My folk have noticed the issue with both rabbits and they want to put them outside after Smores (quarantine rabbit) heals even though the vet said to keep them inside. I also don’t want to run the risk of him getting injured again (he tends to get a dirty bum and the vet noticed cuts on him that he may have gotten from bushes which contributed to flystrike). Its getting hard to convince them.

I’m kind of at a loss and its only been 2 days.

[Author]

Messages