If your family is considering adding rabbits to the home as pets, quickly decide whether you plan to keep the rabbits indoors in a cage or outdoors in a special rabbit hutch. Keeping rabbits indoors is fine, but you may need to protect certain parts of the house that are unsafe for rabbits and also provide daily cleaning to prevent rabbits from soiling your carpets, cushions, and floors. Many people end up keeping their rabbits outside in a rabbit hutch as it is easier to maintain and provides a more natural environment for the rabbits to grow.
The two biggest concerns when keeping rabbits outdoors are larger animal predators and cold weather. When unsupervised, it’s very easy for larger animals like raccoons to sneak up on you and try to escape with a snack. Also, at night the temperature can drop significantly and if your hutch is not insulated against attack and cold air, you may end up losing your pets overnight to a break-in or frostbite. When choosing a hutch to keep your rabbits in, make sure it is a durable hutch that can deter predatory animals and also has sturdy doors and roofs to ensure that all the rabbits inside are safe and warm at night.
Most rabbit owners and veterinarians agree that the ideal temperature for rabbits is between 45 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit. Any temperature above 85 or below 45 degrees is cause for concern and may require bringing the rabbits inside or providing fresh water throughout the day so the rabbits do not become dehydrated. Although not as needy as cats and dogs, rabbits are not entirely self-sufficient and careful monitoring by the owner is necessary to ensure they have a safe and healthy upbringing.
If you have an outdoor hutch and expect temperatures to drop, be sure to cover the hutch with a warm blanket or towel at night. In addition to keeping clever predators out, this layer of insulation can go a long way in keeping your furry friends warm. You may also want to include warm blankets in the cabin so the rabbits can snuggle up together at night creating a warmer sleeping environment.
Consequently, when the weather turns warm, it is imperative that you keep the cabin in a shaded area, as extreme heat can wreak havoc on your well-being. It is also wise to have fresh, cold water to drink and even wrap an ice water bottle in a towel and store it in the cabin to keep it cooler.
Large outdoor rabbit hutches make excellent living environments for raising rabbits, and with the right hutch and accessories, you’ll be ready to provide a loving home for your furry pet. Once you have accounted for all internal and external hazards and made any necessary adjustments, you can safely introduce your rabbits to their new hutch and allow them to become familiar with their new surroundings.
