Unfortunately we’ve been having a lot of cold weather recently. As the winter slowly draws in, some people take this chance to bring their bunnies inside in time for the cooler weather. If you have old or young rabbits or they haven’t yet developed their winter coats, bringing them inside may be the best option to make sure they stay warm over the next few months.
There will be a lot of environmental changes for them to get used to, so we’ve put together our top tips to help you minimise any potential stress for your pets during this switch.
Preparing their new living area
When choosing the room your rabbits will move into, take into consideration that they are a lot of noises inside the house that your buns won’t be used to. Keep them in a quiet area of the house where they are unlikely to be disturbed.
Check that there aren’t any cool draughts through the room and that their sleeping area isn’t too close to any heaters. It is very important that the room is neither too hot nor too cold or your rabbits may get ill.
If possible, make sure that all wires in your house will be inaccessible to your buns. Otherwise they are likely to chew them. If you are worried about certain cables please cover these with protective tubing to keep your rabbits safe. Be sure to block off any areas in your home that may be dangerous to a curious bun.
Ensure that their sleeping area is darkened so they can drop off whenever they like. When first moving your rabbits inside, it may be difficult for them to get used to the artificial lights after being outside, so keeping their beds covered can make it easier for them to settle down to sleep.
Make sure your rabbits have enough room to explore in your home, and that they have plenty of places to hide. Bring their litter tray in filled with hay as well as some soiled bedding to encourage them to use it in their new home.
Making the move from outdoors to inside
Take your time. The transition between bringing your outdoor bunnies inside needs to be done gradually over a period of a few weeks. At first introduce them to their new environment by bringing them indoors to for increasingly longer periods of time every day throughout autumn. Give them both time on their own to explore and make sure to play with them in their new surroundings so they know that it is a fun and safe space.
Ensure there are some familiar smells in their new home to make them more comfortable. Whether its toys, used (as long as it’s clean) bedding or their water bottle, having these close to them will help ease the move.
For the first week that they move in make sure the heating is completely off in their living area. The difference in temperature may be a shock to your rabbit so frequently check them for any signs of overheating. Rabbits can’t sweat but instead release heat from their ears. Their ears should feel warm but not overly hot.
Provide plenty of toys to encourage your bunnies to stay active and exercise inside! Having them in your home can be a fantastic way for you to be able to spend more time your rabbits as well as an excuse to give them lots of attention!
From your experiences are there any tips you’d give for people bringing their bunnies indoors? Let us know in the comments below.