What breeds of rabbits can live outdoors?

[Bunnylover101]

So I live where it is humid and very hot 75% percent of the year. We have a old tree house that I want to turn into a rabbit room. I probably would get only two rabbits. What breeds could handle this temperature? Also, how would I bunny proof a wood tree house?

[jerseygirl]

Hi Bunnylover101

IMO, there isn’t a breed that would fair well in humid and hot temperature. Rabbits do a lot better in colder temperatures. They don’t sweat and have limited ways to cool themselves in hot temperatures. So, I strongly advise not to house rabbits outdoors were you live. Aside from climate, are there predators of viral risks (like calici virus or myxomatosis) where you live?

By tree house, do you mean one up in a tree? That’s my understanding of what a tree house is. I suppose it could be a term used differently around the world.

[Muchelle]

Buns generally don’t do well in extreme temperatures, especially hot ones. I think you should first check how much it would cost to properly insulate the area (so, walls/ceiling/ground all enhanced with insulating material). Also, what kind of tree house? Is it high up? It doesn’t sound very comfortable to keep clean and move the rabbits to and from.

Can you tell us more about this tree house?

[Rain]

Rabbits usually can’t handle long periods of time in climates with a temp higher than 70 degrees Farenheit. From the type of temperature you’re describing, I don’t think that a rabbit would do very well outdoors. They would be at a high risk of dehydration and heat stroke. Mostly all rabbits can’t handle high temps, and it isn’t really a breed thing, but how tolerant the rabbit itself is.
A tree house wouldn’t be the best habitat for bunnies because what if a flying predator somehow got in? Or something like a raccoon or other critter that could climb up and sneak in. And you would have to go up and down very frequently to refill their hay and water a couple times a day. And to clean out their litter boxes every couple days, it would be quite a pain. Unless I’m misunderstood, and it’s on the ground?

[Bunnylover101]

Thank you for your reply. I should have explained it more. It’s not really in a tree, just on a raised platform (I can go up and down easily).It is kind of like a storage shed, just would need insulation to install some kind of air conditioning. I was thinking if I could get the temperatures right, and would be better for bunny’s then a small cage indoor. It is in the shade, and it would be pretty easy to keep them safe from predators.

[Rain]

Oh, okay then! That seems fine. Just make sure that it’s well air conditoned at all times when the rabbits are in there, and it should be good.

[sarahthegemini]

Posted By Bunnylover101 on 3/04/2018 8:36 PM

Thank you for your reply. I should have explained it more. It’s not really in a tree, just on a raised platform (I can go up and down easily).It is kind of like a storage shed, just would need insulation to install some kind of air conditioning. I was thinking if I could get the temperatures right, and would be better for bunny’s then a small cage indoor. It is in the shade, and it would be pretty easy to keep them safe from predators.

Why are the only options being outside in a tree house or inside in a small cage? 

Rabbits are often kept outside but that doesn’t mean it’s right for them. I don’t know why it’s just ‘accepted’ that rabbits get put in the garden. It isn’t safe for them, and not just due to temperature. There’s predators (and even if they are safe from predators, they won’t know they’re safe and will still be terrified) Then of course there’s the risk of worms, parasites and disease. There’s also the chance of them being poorly but nobody really knowing because they are outside. To detect illness in rabbits, you have to be vigilant and really know them and their behaviour which you can’t do if they are shoved outside tbh. 

On top of all that, how can you fully bond with an animal if it is spending majority of its time outside? You can develop such a wonderful relationship with your bun when they’re indoors

Having a rabbit indoors may not be the norm (altho for us here it is, this is a house rabbit forum), it’s the best way to ensure the safety and happiness of your rabbit. You could bunny proof your house or just a couple of rooms. It’s fairly easy to do. And let bun free roam the safe parts. You could have a play pen as the home base rather than a cage so you’ve got somewhere for the litter box and food and water bowls to go.

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