Caring for Rabbits Outdoors

If you are planning on purchasing domestic rabbits and keeping them outside, don't be fooled into believing that caring for them is the same as caring for their indoor siblings. Follow the steps below to ensure happy, healthy bunnies, even if they are outdoors.

Build or purchase a covered hutch. The key word is "covered." Make sure there is a well-constructed roof over your bunnies heads to prevent them from getting wet and to shield them from flying debris or tree branches.

Include a well-constructed box, preferably wood, that will serve two purposes. One, it will give your furry friends something to chew on, and two, it will give them a place to hide should they feel threatened by a lingering predator such as a cat. Given no place to hide, your rabbit's heart can beat so quickly from fear that it can kill them.

Provide them with plenty of hay to help with their digestion and to wear down their teeth. Rabbit's teeth continually grow and without something to wear them down, they can grow so long that the rabbit can't eat, eventually leading to death.

Keep locks on the cage to keep curious children from getting into the rabbit's hutch and letting the rabbit's loose.

In the winter:
Visit Home Depot for plastic wrap to put around the cage during the cold winter months. Wrap several layers and make sure it is secured tightly with heavy duty staples. Be sure to cover the door as well, but leave the top and bottom open for ventilation and to allow waste to drop out of the cage.

Keep an eye on the water bottle or bowl because they are likely to freeze. Keep a spare in the house and swap them out everyday.

Straw hay should be provided year-round, but you should add extra during the winter to keep your rabbits warm.

In the summer:
Don't allow your bunny to succumb to heat exhaustion. Keep the hutch in a cool, shaded area, and provide your rabbit with an ice bottle to snuggle with and keep cool.