Moving indoor rabbit outside

[KHoward]

Hello,

We have an indoor rabbit that for allergy reasons (my son is allergic) needs to be moved outside. The challenge is that it is January in Boston and in the single digits outside. I understand that the indoor rabbit doesn't have a "winter coat" so I can't put her outside, but is there a way to gradually move her outside now?

We don't want to re-home her, and I don't have anyone who is willing to take her until the spring.

Thanks for any advice.

 

[dainerra]

not really. because even a couple minutes outside in these temps could kill her and a few minutes of outside and then back inside isn't going to help her build coat.

Do you a heated garage or outside building that you can put her in?

 

[KHoward]

I have a shed where I can put a heat lamp near/over the cage. Not sure if that would be enough?

 

[theoldchick]

Not a good situation for anyone involved. Since you are allergic you need to step up and make the decision to rehome this pet. Simply putting her/him outside is cruel. Yet, you must remain healthy. So the most humane thing to do is to place the rabbit in another home. I know you don't want to but you must think of what is the best for your pet. Advertise on craigslist, local humane societies, and veterinarian offices. Sorry to sound harsh, but sometimes when we have pets we must make these hard decisions. Good luck.

 

[Frazzemrat1]

I agree with @theoldchick This isn't a good situation for you, and its difficult, but once you have a pet like this; its an indoor pet and unused to being confined away from its herd. Rabbits are social creatures, and if the temps didn't kill him (which would be bad enough) but your going to have problems even rehoming this guy if he's separated from his people and confined alone for any length of time.

 

[cassie]

I agree with @theoldchick This isn't a good situation for you, and its difficult, but once you have a pet like this; its an indoor pet and unused to being confined away from its herd. Rabbits are social creatures, and if the temps didn't kill him (which would be bad enough) but your going to have problems even rehoming this guy if he's separated from his people and confined alone for any length of time.

Rabbits are social creatures? Since when? They may tolerate each other but they are certainly not what you would call social. This rabbit would adjust without difficulty to a new home. What it would not adjust to is being put outside in the winter.

 

[duncan5]

I thought rabbits prefer to be alone unless they were breeding? Anyway, I wouldn't put a rabbit out in the cold without being acclimated to the cold weather of Boston in the winter. I remember the cold winters of Boston and it's beyond COLD!!!

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Yeah, rabbits will kill each other once they reach sexual maturity. Sometimes neutered rabbits can be kept together, but most rabbits live solitary lives.

Most creature grow a winter coat in the fall in response to the temperatures, so your bunny would be very cold, and wouldn't acclimate the same as if it was outside the whole time. A heat lamp may work, but it probably will have to be run for the rest of winter.

 

[KHoward]

OK thank you everyone for your comments. I was hoping that it would be possible, even if over a long period of transition time, but it sounds like it's not.

 

[Frazzemrat1]

All domestic rabbits derive from the European rabbit, which lives in a community called a warren. Domestic rabbits love company and attention, be it from another rabbit or their people. North American cotton tails are quite anti-social and only come together for mating. Same with jack rabbits.