Can Indoor Rabbits Go Outside to Play?

The short answer is yes, of course rabbits can go outdoors, in fact going outdoors can be a fun way to give them the exercise they need. While some bunny buddies may have the run of the house, others might be limited to a room. No matter how you keep your beloved pet, the more variety you can provide for them, the better. While taking them outside for periods can be great for their physical fitness and mental stimulation, it becomes even more important that they’re vaccinated and up to date with preventative treatments. 

Your rabbit can get sick both indoors and outdoors, so they could be vaccinated whether they go outside or not. They will also need to be kept up to date on preventatives to stop them from picking up fleas or any other nasties when they’re outside. They should already be treated even if they haven’t gone outside, but your garden comes into contact with much more life, so the risk is higher. It’s nothing that a simple dose of Beaphar Anti-Parasite Spot On for Small Animals can’t fix though. With the right preventatives, you can let them have the best of both worlds. 

Strictly speaking, your bunny doesn’t need to go outside. While it is very beneficial for them, as long as you are meeting all of their needs and keeping them healthy, not having an outdoor space is ok. Some people don’t have a garden, but that just means they have to work a little harder to provide the level of enrichment a garden might allow.  

The PDSA suggests that rabbits should spend at least three hours a day in a large, secure run in the garden. You should be offering your bunny this opportunity to the equivalent in space to allow for natural behaviour like running and jumping around. They should be able to sprint and exercise as much as they want, and leading an inactive lifestyle can cause the same problems in your rabbit as it does in humans. Rabbits who don’t get enough exercise are prone to getting overweight and suffering from the health implications that go along with it.  

When you give your rabbit time outside, they can be much more active, and it gives them somewhere safe to practice normal behaviours. Sniffing, digging, foraging and gnawing at any new objects are all activities they can enjoy outside. The environment itself, with different sights, sounds and smells, is enriching and mentally stimulating before you even give them things to explore and play with. 

No matter what space you give your bunny outdoors, they should be able to be secure and safe. If they’re lucky enough to be allowed use of the entire garden, you may need to make some changes to rabbit proof it. Rabbit proofing involves making sure there are no escape routes and removing anything that might be harmful to your beloved pets. While outside, your rabbits should be monitored, especially if they’re not enclosed in any way.  

A run like The Hutch Company Croyde 6ft (180) Stand-alone Run may have less space, but it does keep your pets safe from predators. If you want something that is easier to move around, the Rosewood Deluxe Rabbit Playpen with Net is more lightweight but still gives them plenty of room to run around. Whether you choose to freerun your rabbits or give them a secured space to play in, if they’re outside for long periods in the summer, they should have ample shade to keep cool. 

Just popping your bunny in the garden isn’t quite all you need to do when you’re giving them time outside. Your rabbits will need to have their basic needs met even while they’re out playing. They will need a source of water to stay hydrated, and even if you have ample grass for them to nibble on, you should still provide fresh feeding hay like the Excel Long Stem Feeding Hay. Rabbits are almost always eating and most of their diet consists of hay. A high quality hay will help to keep their teeth worn and in good shape. Going outside should not restrict their access to anything they need around the clock.  

Next is the fun part, you can fill their outdoor space with lots of toys and fun activities to keep them busy. Rabbits are naturally burrowing animals, so giving them a tunnel like the Rosewood Rabbit Activity Tunnel will promote natural behaviours. Tunnels can also double as cosy places to get some rest and hide away if they get spooked and want to take shelter. Toys like Natures First Willow Treat Ball will also give them plenty to do and provide even more things for them to get their teeth into. Offering healthy treats like Natures Own Pea Flakes sprinkled throughout the grass will encourage foraging and make sure they have the best time in the garden.

For parents who want to give their bunnies the very best but don’t have a garden or a safe space outside to give them access to, you can take them on a walk! It will take time to get your bunny friend comfortable wearing a harness, but once they crack it, there’s nothing stopping you from going on strolls together. Walking with your rabbit can be very rewarding. They’re a little different to dog walks as you’re aiming for a leisurely explore rather than a loop of the block, and you will usually follow where your rabbit wants to go, but it means you can take them to lots of different places. Training them to wear a harness like the Ancol Rabbit & Guinea Pig Harness with Lead Pink means even those without a garden can still enjoy fresh grass and all the sights and sounds of the outdoors.  

For all of your rabbit necessities and turning an outdoor space into the perfect bunny paradise, visit us in store and online.