Where to buy a good harness?

[Cheddar33]

I’d really like to take Cheddy and Poopy outside to the park. Any suggestions on where I can buy comfortable and safe harnesses online? Or better yet, which brands/ones are the best?

[zoologist]

I bought a small “H” harness meant for dogs from petsmart. Finn doesn’t care about it once it’s on him, but getting it on can be a struggle.

[Stickerbunny]

If you’re taking them to a park, be sure the park doesn’t have any pesticides/fertilizers on the grass. The most common harness I see on them is the mesh style dog/cat harness (available at most pet stores), but be sure you get them used to it inside first. And remember rabbits tend to spook and bolt when scared, if done while on a harness, bones can be broken so try to keep them in calm environments if you take them outside. And be wary of predators – hawks and the like have been known to swoop after easy prey on a harness whether the owner is standing nearby or not.

[LittlePuffyTail]

Like most BB members, I feel it`s safest to avoid harnesses altogether. It would be great to walk bunnies outside but I feel the risks are just too great.

[RabbitPam]

I’m afraid I agree with LPT. They really enjoy walking and romping in very safe environments – strange places will scare them because their hearing is 10x better than ours, so sounds you don’t hear will put them on the alert. And it’s quite true about pesticides in public places. (Also, I never saw a bunny truly panic until I tried to put a harness on Spockie.) There is a high risk of damage in putting on/taking off harnesses since most bunnies will struggle.

If you can make a run in your own yard, or clear a hallway or large room with a rug for good traction, open windows, and your bunnies will get plenty of fun exercise and playtime in your home. They really are not deprived at all when not taken outside. (And many members have done it, but we don’t advise it.)

[peppypoo]

Not to beat a dead horse, but this tends to be a kind of controversial topic here on BB. Just gotta chime in.

It’s easy to think “oh my bunnies are very calm and have never spooked before, so they’ll be fine” but all it takes is one anomalous moment for tragedy to strike in the form a lost bunny, broken leg, or broken back (yes, even in an H or vest harness). Not to mention that outdoors, there are so many unpredictable novel stimuli that you can never be entirely sure. These very situations have happened to even the most careful members on our forums before, and it’s heart-breaking to read about every single time. Anyways, my point is that bunnies on leashes is absolutely adorable, and from our human perspective it seems like they would have fun exploring outdoors, but personally I feel that I would never forgive myself if my bunnies came to any preventable injury, so harnesses/leashes are just not worth it to me.

Of course the decision is yours ultimately, and like RabbitPam said there are many members on our forums that do enjoy walks with their bunnies, but just make sure your decision is an informed one.

[Mimzy]

I would also suggest more of a safe enclosure outdoors and supervised of course. Make sure they can’t get out and safe as possible. My bunny stays inside, mostly because it’s nearly always too hot where I am. I would also suggest maybe a stroller? Unfortunately they can’t really explore in a stroller and could possibly be scared still, but if you must take your bunny outside for a walk, a stroller is enclosed and pretty safe.

I have a dog stroller for my bunny I got from amazon, it has quite a bit of space for her and she seems to like it. I mostly have it for vet appointments or any other time I may need to take her along. I find it’s easier and less shaky than a carrier

[LBJ10]

I think harnesses are doable, but you have to be very very careful. I have harnesses for both of mine. Leopold is fine with putting it on/taking it off. He just glares at me the entire time. I’ve never used them outside though. I guess I would be too worried about taking them to the park or somewhere with so many variables beyond my control. I guess harnesses must be somewhat acceptable since a lot of bunny agility competitions want the bunnies on leashes.

[Monkeybun]

The thing about parks is that often people have dogs there, and of course, the wild critters. It’s just safer to keep them at home.

[Snowytoshi]

One thing that I would be scared about is the fact that the bunnies I have used a harness on figured out how to slip out easily. Thankfully they’ve never done this outside, but they are certianly capable of it.

[tanlover14]

I have to agree with Peppypoo, LPT, and RabbitPam. I always thought it would be really awesome to be able to put my buns on harnesses and walk them around, even just inside. But after reading the horror stories of what can happen, I’m very much against it.

Even the calmest bunny can freak out and bolt over something you as a human can’t see. Which can greatly injure them. Just too many risks to warrant even attempting to do so, in my opinion.

I have to agree with Mimzy though. I have heard of people putting their buns in strollers with covers (like they have for babies to protect against the sun and bugs) so they can enjoy taking their buns out but with MUCH less danger.

[Roberta]

Those Pet Strollers are awesome and there are some very reasonably priced ones around now.

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

I just know that often when reading advice about something not being safe, I often think ‘that won’t happen to me’! I am even guilty of trying harnesses

I know someone who does bunny hopping (competitive bunny jumping) and was very experienced with both rabbits, and rabbit harnesses. She still had a rabbit break his back with the harness, and had to take him to be put down after that had happened. If tragedy can strike someone who was so experienced, it could happen to anyone. This isn’t a small risk, like the risk you take driving a car, but a much bigger risk-the risk you take speeding on slick roads. Rabbits startle, rabbits are fast and rabbits have frail bones. It’s an accident waiting to happen.

So as Peppypoo said, not to beat a dead horse, but my wholehearted advice is-don’t don’t don’t purchase a harness.

[Cheddar33]

Thanks all. No harness for them now.

[Sam and Lady's Human]

Since the grass is probably treated, its probably not really possible, but, something like this- http://www.amazon.com/Ware-Manufacturing-Deluxe-Playpen-Large/dp/B001ATBR5C with the zippered top off and upside down (so they can play in the grass but be covered) would work in a more public setting. I’ve used an xpen and a sheet of cardboard in my own backyard

[Author]

Messages