Bringing a domestic rabbit outside can be very risky, but to prevent as many risks as possible, having the correct materials can save your rabbit. Because there can be a lot of pressure to get it all right, I’ll be explaining the different items in categories that I personally think you need to bring your furry friend outside.
Play Pen Area:
Ex-pen(s): The entire use of an ex-pen for any animal is to keep them in a contained area for them to play and explore. The name “ex-pen” is short for exercise pen, which makes sense. I would recommend an ex-pen or two, maybe even three to bring your rabbit outside. Each ex-pen should be at least three feet tall, most rabbits can jump that high, so make sure you know your rabbit well enough to know the correct height before even planning to bring them outside.
Plywood: A sheet of plywood that is large enough to cover the entire ground of and around the ex-pen is extremely important. An underground predator could easily burrow their way over to the pen and potentially hurt the rabbit. The only exception of this all would be if the grass wasn’t sprayed with pesticides, hasn’t been mowed, and can be guaranteed that there hasn’t been any wild predators in that area. You would still need to find a way for your rabbit to escape to the situation.
Extra Bed sheet(s): An extra bed sheet or two is important to cover the ex-pen to prevent the rabbit from overheating. A rabbit is so much more susceptible to over heating than even getting close to becoming cold to any dangerous circumstance.
Food/Water:
Hay: In any situation, a rabbit should always have unlimited hay, even if you are allowing them to eat safe grass. This is in case the rabbit doesn’t enjoy the grass for whatever reason. Any rabbit should have hay, even if they don’t eat it when you’re outside, they’re just stressed from the climate change.
Treats: Treats are amazing to make a rabbit very comfortable with what they are at. The average rabbit will become extremely stressed in any climate change, so giving a treat or two to make sure your rabbit takes it can be very beneficial on both parts. For the rabbit, they could become a little more comfortable with a familiar treat, and from a rabbit owner’s perspective, a rabbit taking a treat means it isn’t too stressed. A rabbit avoiding a treat could show extreme stress and anxiety, in which you would want to bring your rabbit back inside.
Water Bowls: Having a water bowl instead of a water bottle could save your rabbit’s life. A water bottle in a any situation, whether you’re outside or inside, rabbits can’t get enough water from a water bottle. An average rabbit will drink as much as a 20 pound dog, and trust me, it’s true. So please, provide large bowls for your rabbit to drink out of, preferably ceramic if anything.
Fresh Water: Fresh water is obvious for any animal that you would be taking care of. Dirty or improper water could cause sickness, dehydration if your rabbit avoids it, and death if things don’t change. Please change your rabbit’s water daily, if not multiple times a day with fresh, clean water in a bowl.
Litter/Bedding:
Litter Boxes: Litter boxes, like hay and water, should always be provided. Even if you don’t think your rabbit would need a litter box outside, your rabbit will most definitely use it and have comfort in using it. Yet again, the litter box is another familiar object in the pen to comfort the rabbit.
Litter: If you’re giving a litter box like you should, you will need some litter. I like to use horse stall bedding pellets. They are made for horses and other barn animals, which means that the pellets can absorb a large amount of liquid, can contain odors, and is quite dust free. Familiar litter with the smell of your rabbit on it can also prevent overloads of stress.
Familiar Fleece/Sheets: The familiarity of fleece and sheets, like many other materials can give comfort. Not to forget that you could also use the fleece and sheets to cover the plywood to prevent sore hocks, which I will link my post on sore hocks down below if you are interested.
Toys and Others:
Chews: Chews can help the rabbit relieve stress and have some fun. The importance of keeping your rabbit’s teeth worn down is also very important.
Toss Toys: Toss toys are great for rabbits that love to toss things around, in result, usually making a mess. To give a rabbit a toss toy, you’re allowing more fun for the rabbit to have.
Favorite Toys: Giving a stressed out rabbit their favorite is a great way to allow your rabbit to relax a little bit more and have some fun.
Hide House: A hide house is an essential for any rabbit. Not only can it give shelter to a panicking rabbit, but if the hide house is cardboard or wood, maybe even willow or sea grass, the rabbit can gnaw on it to relieve even more stress, have fun, and ware down their teeth.
Lawn Chair: I would recommend setting up a lawn chair next to the ex-pen area to keep a close eye on your rabbit. By doing this, you will most likely keep predators away, you can scare them away, and ensure that your rabbit is okay.
Comfort Items: Comfort items for not only your rabbit, but you too! Comfort items can not only pass time, but make your fun time outside even more enjoyable and memorable. Bringing out crafts, lists, blankets, food, and friends can make this time outside amazing!
A Few Links to Other Posts on Subjects I Mentioned:
Thank you for all of the love any support that has been given. Please leave a like on this post if you like the style and the information. Please come back every other day for a new post, but until then, continue to spread proper rabbit care and I will talk to you soon, bye!
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