No Harness...So what else can I do?

Cinnabun14

Cinnabun14

Young Bun
Okay, does anyone on here actually use a rabbit harness? I've looked through some past threads, and I see most people don't. But I'm wondering what else I should do. My rexes are outside girls, but I'd like for them to be able to walk outside of their run. We've got plenty of grass and dandelions, and I know they love to get out, but we don't have a fence. Right now, I'm using a puppy play pen, which, since they're so small, they can squeeze through if they feel like it (and sometimes they do!) When they get bigger, I know they'll need more space, so I started introducing them to the harness by laying it across their back. They were fine, but today, when I tried strapping it on, they freaked a bit. I feel really bad for doing it, too. I wish I had read up a bit more before I tried. I just used a harness on my parrots and cats before, so I thought it'd be okay. I feel like at this point, a harness is a bad idea, but my younger sibling and owner of one of the buns is set on walking her Cinnamon. Technically, I can't tell her what to do, since it is her rabbit and I'm determined not to intervene. But I'd like to see if there's a better way here.
So, should I keep trying with the harness, or is there a better alternative here?
 
Rabbits' bones are very fragile so if they freak out about the harness, they could very easily get a spinal injury.

I used harnesses on rabbits, but mine weren't phased by it at all.

I wouldn't use a harness if they didn't like it or if there was any other kind of danger involved (not anywhere around dogs and not outside of an enclosed yard, etc).

Is your rabbits hutch and run the appropriate size? Are you wanting to get them out just to hang out with them, or is it because they're cramped and need access to more space? Because even if they liked a harness, that's not an alternative to 24/7 access to proper accommodation.
 
William said:
Rabbits' bones are very fragile so if they freak out about the harness, they could very easily get a spinal injury.

I used harnesses on rabbits, but mine weren't phased by it at all.

I wouldn't use a harness if they didn't like it or if there was any other kind of danger involved (not anywhere around dogs and not outside of an enclosed yard, etc).

Is your rabbits hutch and run the appropriate size? Are you wanting to get them out just to hang out with them, or is it because they're cramped and need access to more space? Because even if they liked a harness, that's not an alternative to 24/7 access to proper accommodation.
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They have enough space, but what they really like to do is graze. They're crazy for grass, so whenever we go out to visit them, we'll sit with them in the puppy pen and let them have it. I'd just like for them to be able to graze wherever they want (right now they've made a little circle of eaten grass...)
Sometimes I'll let them out without the puppy pen, but only for a few minutes, and only if they're near the run door. I'm right beside them too, to make sure I can get them if something happens. Still, I don't think this is something I'll do often, or if I have to watch my sibling as well. That's just not safe.
 
Personally I wouldn’t use a harness, you could use the puppy pen with mesh attached to the inside of the panels so they can’t push through it. That might be ok whilst you are supervising them?
 
Rabbits just don't walk like dogs. They are prey animals and will act totally differently, eg they need to be able to run away if they feel the need. Restraining them is likely to be highly stressful - which is bad for them. I also think you will find it difficult to get a harness that is truy escape-proof, so you risk losing the rabbit in an unfenced area.

Your use of puppy panels is a much better idea. You can sit in with the rabbits and do some 'training', such as calling them and offering a treat.
 
@Shimmer Yeah, that's pretty much what we're doing right now. I knew they wouldn't be able to "follow" like a dog, but I wish I knew more about the stress and run away part. I feel terrible for putting that harness on them. But how do I tell my sibling a harness isn't a good idea? I'm not her parent, so I can't tell her what to do. I know she loves animals, and will do whatever is necessary to make them safe and healthy, but she's also really set on walking them. Any ideas how I can break it to her gently without being too parental about it?
 
Zoobec said:
Personally I wouldn’t use a harness, you could use the puppy pen with mesh attached to the inside of the panels so they can’t push through it. That might be ok whilst you are supervising them?
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They can push through right now because they're only 8 weeks old, but will they need it when they're older? (I never leave them in the pen unsupervised, even if I'm not sitting in there with them).
 
It was definitely worth an ask but as everyone has posted - they are definitely not a good idea for rabbits. I can understand that you don't want to tell your sister what to do with "her" rabbit but if she isn't able to take on board risks & act accordingly then it'd be kind of irresponsible not to support her in making good decisions regarding rabbit care . Could you gather some information found online about why they are a bad idea? preferably in a format she will find accessible. You could maybe share that you've found research saying how risky harnesses are for bunnies & how you are disappointed you won't be able to use them. If that happens would she be likely to do as you do? And a shift of focus on to cool things she could do - like the suggestion of training them. I know she'll be upset but I reckon that would be nothing on the devastation you would both feel if one got injured.
 
joey&boo said:
It was definitely worth an ask but as everyone has posted - they are definitely not a good idea for rabbits. I can understand that you don't want to tell your sister what to do with "her" rabbit but if she isn't able to take on board risks & act accordingly then it'd be kind of irresponsible not to support her in making good decisions regarding rabbit care . Could you gather some information found online about why they are a bad idea? preferably in a format she will find accessible. You could maybe share that you've found research saying how risky harnesses are for bunnies & how you are disappointed you won't be able to use them. If that happens would she be likely to do as you do? And a shift of focus on to cool things she could do - like the suggestion of training them. I know she'll be upset but I reckon that would be nothing on the devastation you would both feel if one got injured.
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That sounds like a really good idea. She doesn't like it whenever I'm "in charge" of her, telling her what to do, but if I do as you suggested (showing her the information) it makes her seem more of an equal. I'll try it out 🤞
 
So, I talked it over with my sister and she surprised me. She told me first that she didn't think the harnesses were a good idea, and that we should get rid of them. I'm very proud of her for choosing what was best for her rabbit rather than something she really wanted to do. We decided that I'm going to try and find a larger puppy pen for the buns, or I'll get a bunch of them and link them together so we can sit with them more comfortably. Thank you everyone for your suggestions, it helped a lot!!!
 
Cinnabun14 said:
They can push through right now because they're only 8 weeks old, but will they need it when they're older? (I never leave them in the pen unsupervised, even if I'm not sitting in there with them).
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There has been instances of rabbits getting their head stuck through bars of puppy panels so it is best to mesh them
 
We have our entire lawn penned off with 4 puppy pens linked together. Ours isn't meshed, but our rabbits are quite big. It's pretty easy to mesh over though, we did it for some smaller rabbits we fostered for a bit. Wire ties are your friend! Also make sure it's tall enough that they won't just jump over it: ours is 90cm at its lowest I think. They make pretty good lawnmowers :)
 
keletkezes said:
We have our entire lawn penned off with 4 puppy pens linked together. Ours isn't meshed, but our rabbits are quite big. It's pretty easy to mesh over though, we did it for some smaller rabbits we fostered for a bit. Wire ties are your friend! Also make sure it's tall enough that they won't just jump over it: ours is 90cm at its lowest I think. They make pretty good lawnmowers :)
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yeah, we have a circle of grass that's visibly shorter than the rest of the lawn!
 
If it's just a temporary thing, you could just use card from a large box and weave it through the lower part of the panels to hold it in place. It would be enough to stop them getting stuck or escaping if you are sat with them.
 
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