Indoor AND Outdoor?

Is it possible to give an indoor bun a run OUTSIDE for a couple of hours a day in WINTER, please? Or would the fluctuating temperature be an issue?

I would say the temp would be too much of an issue personally, quite a few people have asked the same question in the past

I wouldn't do it with my indoor bun

Just my opinion though.:wave:

robbie is a indoor bunny but has as run for outside, but only for summer use, for use when we are in the garden with him. your bunny wont have enough thick fur to stand the cold in winter

I probably go against the grain on this one. I have always had buns living outdoors and bring them in most evenings whenever I'm around throughout the year. It's normally for about 5 hours, betwen 5 and 10.00 pm. I can't really see how I can socialise with them and give them a big enough enclosure 24/7 plus extra room to excercise (indoors) without doing it this way. They never seem bothered by it to be honest. But because they spend most time outside perhaps this is different to a bun who spends most time insde (they have winter coats whereas perhaps an indoor bun wouldn't)?

I tired this last year and it didn't work..

I had to bring blackberry inside last November after spay complications and it was too cold to put her back in the outhouse so she was inside for the winter. I tried putting her in the outside run on a few "warmer" winter days but it was far too cold so had to bring her in.

She is in the outhouse now developing a lovely winter coat so the outside run won't be a problem this year

I think if they have stayed outside long enough to get their winter coats they will be able to handle the cold...BUT I wouldnt leave them out if they didnt have winter coats as they would get sick. Also if they have winter coats - and are inside - make sure they dont overheat with the central heating - they regulate their temp through their ears so you can usually feel how they are.

I was abit concerned myself as my plan is to have the hutches & run next to the house for winter & for the hutch to have a catflap attached to it that goes through the wall of the house. SO the buns have acces to inside our house as well as thier hutch and run which would be outside. I was abit worried about them going from warm to cold temps etc but as they mainly stay outside and are getting thicker coats I think it will be ok...I hope!

Anyone who does have buns who have access to both - more advice would be most appreciated!

Great thread for making sure we dont get flu-buns!

We always tell people adopting from us- in the winter, stick to having them indoors or outdoors. Not a mixture.

The change in temperature could send them into shock, and shock can be a killer.

In indoor rabbits going outside- it would be like us going out in t-shirt and shorts. They do not have the adequate thickness of fur to be able to cope in the cold.

I would imagine it being the opposite for outdoor buns, in that it is like us sitting down, on a very very warm day with our coats on. They may get overheated, as they are not used to the heat of a home (radiators etc) with such a thick coat.

That is a good point. My obervations were that the buns didn't show any change in their behaviour with being part time indoors. For example, Gasket regularly came upstairs to be with me when I was on the computer, the upstairs can be like an oven compared to the lounge. I would have thought that if Gasket had been in any way too hot he would have gone down to the lounge (where Tappet tended to stay) to cool off. But he genuinely didn't seem bothered by it. This is the same bun who stayed outsie in snow and hail rather than seeking shelter in his hutch. He was Special.

Louie goes out whatever the weather. I leave the door open so he can please himself!

I have always done this with mine, but you need to be really careful Mine are outdoor bunnies though so do get their winter coats. Over winter I stick to the same routine as I do in summer, weekdays they get two nights playing in the garden and three nights playing in the house

We only have the heating on for an hour or so in the morning over winter, like for when we are all getting up for work. Other than that it only goes on if one of us are not feeling well or something. When they are in the house over winter I have them in the kitchen and dining room because its the biggest room in the house and have the window open the whole time they are in, I don't think the radiators in there even work to be honest. I have other pets that need attention so, as much as I would love them to play in the garden every time they free range I can't sit out in the garden for hours on end supervising the rabbits every single night

I agree with Kris, I think it's most unkind to move rabbits between indoors and outdoors whenever there is a big temperature differential between the two.

Even if they are used to being outdoors and therefore have a nice thick winter coat, can you imagine how you would feel if you had to move between both places at that time of year without being able to change your clothing?

It depends on the temperature and how long they are out for in my opinion. Basic autothermoregulation will keep them warm for a short period of time just like it does us if we nip outside in winter.

When it is around 5-10 degrees mine will go out for an hour perhaps, maybe less, if it drops to 0 or sub 0 then it will be 5-10 mins at the most - but atleast they get a bit of fresh air and stretch their legs. I simply put on a thin long sleeved top (no coat) and when I get cold moving about outside then the equivalent will apply to them (even house rabbits have still have a fur coat of sorts) and we all come inside. If I wrapped up warm I would be less able to tell how cold it was. Mine are always on the move outside so this keeps them warm as well. The room they come back into isn't too warm anyway and they have time to adjust like we do when we come in from the cold.

I certainly WOULD NOT put a house bun out to exercise all day in winter or vice versa with an outdoor bun as eventually autothermoregulation mechanisms will no longer be effective. :wave:

So if we go by the fur coat thing as in clothing - i can understand the whole day being inside or outside when they are use to the opposite etc is not fair in cold to hot temps...but if they have a choice to be indoors or outside in their hutch through an access door - then surely they will decide for themselves where they feel most comfortable? or would they possibly get the "flu" from even choosing to go from inside to outside etc.?

Hope this makes sense....

chelle said:

So if we go by the fur coat thing as in clothing - i can understand the whole day being inside or outside when they are use to the opposite etc is not fair in cold to hot temps...but if they have a choice to be indoors or outside in their hutch through an access door - then surely they will decide for themselves where they feel most comfortable? or would they possibly get the "flu" from even choosing to go from inside to outside etc.?

Hope this makes sense....

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Personally I would not rely on a domestic rabbit's instinctive response to look for shelter when needed, some of them may be less independent and have lost this instinct. It would probably be better to go out with them and bring them back in. It also depends if your garden is North or South facing. South facing sheltered corners in winter sunshine can still get very warm, and you can use a clear tarp around and over a run to improve this if you wanted. Our garden is North facing and never gets any sun in winter so for my buns it is literally out for a hop (length dependent on temp) and then back in again.

prettylupin said:

It depends on the temperature and how long they are out for in my opinion. Basic autothermoregulation will keep them warm for a short period of time just like it does us if we nip outside in winter. When it is around 5-10 degrees mine will go out for an hour perhaps, maybe less, if it drops to 0 or sub 0 then it will be 5-10 mins at the most - but atleast they get a bit of fresh air and stretch their legs. I simply put on a thin long sleeved top (no coat) and when I get cold moving about outside then the equivalent will apply to them (even house rabbits have still have a fur coat of sorts) and we all come inside. If I wrapped up warm I would be less able to tell how cold it was. Mine are always on the move outside so this keeps them warm as well. The room they come back into isn't too warm anyway and they have time to adjust like we do when we come in from the cold.

I certainly WOULD NOT put a house bun out to exercise all day in winter or vice versa with an outdoor bun as eventually autothermoregulation mechanisms will no longer be effective. :wave:

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Yes but if we were bombing round the garden, even in the depths of winter, then we would be very warm!

Louie isn't "put" outside, he scrabbles at the door to be let out. The door is then left open so he is free to choose HIMSELF when he wants to come back in. He loves the snow and spent a good 20 minutes a day racing and binkying around in it last year.

Thanks, everyone, for your valuable opinions. I don't want to put Sukie outside permanently for the winter - I'd much rather keep her as an indoor bun.

I think we've solved the problem - hubby's making a 'lean-to' porch-thing :shock: over her outdoor play area (just outside the back door) so it's sheltered.

I like her to play out there because it's got like tree stumps for her to jump on, her grass-patch, herb garden for her to nibble etc. - things that I can't bring indoors.

I always sit outside with her when she's out, so we certainly WON'T be out if it's too cold!

*pops off to look at patio heaters on Argos website*

*lily* said:

Yes but if we were bombing round the garden, even in the depths of winter, then we would be very warm!

Louie isn't "put" outside, he scrabbles at the door to be let out. The door is then left open so he is free to choose HIMSELF when he wants to come back in. He loves the snow and spent a good 20 minutes a day racing and binkying around in it last year.

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I'm not quite sure why you quoted my post when I agree with you? :? My buns also enjoyed bombing around the garden in the snow and also ask to go outside in winter!

i was always over protective but then salem my kitty went out with them and he was a young cat with undiagonosed heart disease but a diagnosed murmur

when we had snow just before christmas...bertie wanted to investigate so i carried him off the doorstep...since his eyeulcer his sights been affected so i help him.
he ran about for a few seconds then looked at me..right mummy..im cold..take me indoors to my radiator and doggybed:lol:

hed have disappeared if hed gone out in that heavy snow in feb tho!!

merlins got a weird thick wiry coat being a lionheadx but we put him out after bertie and he refused to come in...i had to catch him and drag him in!!!

he was binkying and digging the snow...and more worryingly..diving face and head first into it and then shaking it off his mane..and repeat...many many times:shock::lol:

if its below 10 then only if its really sunny which isnt much in a northeast facing garden!! and only for up to half an hour. but since bertie got pasturella i do mollycoddle him....not to get cold...so if he doesnt move i take him back in. bif would withstand a little more time as would merlin but its weird with big buns as their temp regulaters are askew. longer to get warm after getting cold and vice versa.

mine are going to be different now as poor salem is no longer with us

bertie does like a good go at the grass....but after finding out its ragwort all over the grass...im keeping the buns in till i find out how much it is to remove it!!

purplebumble said:

i was always over protective but then salem my kitty went out with them and he was a young cat with undiagonosed heart disease but a diagnosed murmur

when we had snow just before christmas...bertie wanted to investigate so i carried him off the doorstep...since his eyeulcer his sights been affected so i help him.
he ran about for a few seconds then looked at me..right mummy..im cold..take me indoors to my radiator and doggybed:lol:

hed have disappeared if hed gone out in that heavy snow in feb tho!!

merlins got a weird thick wiry coat being a lionheadx but we put him out after bertie and he refused to come in...i had to catch him and drag him in!!!

he was binkying and digging the snow...and more worryingly..diving face and head first into it and then shaking it off his mane..and repeat...many many times:shock::lol:

if its below 10 then only if its really sunny which isnt much in a northeast facing garden!! and only for up to half an hour. but since bertie got pasturella i do mollycoddle him....not to get cold...so if he doesnt move i take him back in. bif would withstand a little more time as would merlin but its weird with big buns as their temp regulaters are askew. longer to get warm after getting cold and vice versa.

mine are going to be different now as poor salem is no longer with us

bertie does like a good go at the grass....but after finding out its ragwort all over the grass...im keeping the buns in till i find out how much it is to remove it!!

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This is an important point. I would not allow it with a poorly or elderly rabbit, their ability to thermoregulate is compromised, or I would use my common sense and do as Debbie does, if bun sits still - inside! If no sun - inside, if bun feels cold under the surface fur - inside, or not go out at all.
To be honest, this winter coming, with Nino's diagnosed arthritis we will be an AWFUL lot stricter over his winter play time to avoid exacerbating his joints with the cold as he had his worst flare up after the freezing January. It's all about common sense really as far as i'm concerned anyway.

prettylupin said:

Personally I would not rely on a domestic rabbit's instinctive response to look for shelter when needed, some of them may be less independent and have lost this instinct. It would probably be better to go out with them and bring them back in. It also depends if your garden is North or South facing. South facing sheltered corners in winter sunshine can still get very warm, and you can use a clear tarp around and over a run to improve this if you wanted. Our garden is North facing and never gets any sun in winter so for my buns it is literally out for a hop (length dependent on temp) and then back in again.

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Our garden faces south-east if Im correct...and the hutches will be facing north-east (?)...but they will be against a wooden fence. They will get morning sun if there is any ....the side of the hutch will be attached to a box with a catflap through the wall into the dining room.

So...if they hop about in the hutch & run outside in the cold & then hop into the catflap into the house....will these changes be too dramatic for them?:?

The choice would be their own in this setup....they will have acces to a run & their hutch as usual...as well as the option to come indoors if they choose to. There is shelter in & out....but obvioulsy I would move them if I felt they were at risk of being cold....i wouldnt shut them in one area.