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Rachel Plummer says:
Hi Yoon, thanks for your question. It really is best for rabbit and other small pets such as guinea pigs to be kept indoors all year round, although they can go outside for supervised play time. Although the temperature is likely to be warmer during the summer, it can still easily become too hot, too cold, too draughty etc. But the main problem is predators - if a fox even comes up to the outside of a hutch it can frighten a rabbit and even give it a heart attack, that's even if the hutch is secure enough to keep the fox out. Add to this that hutches are both draughty and never well ventilated enough, leading to pneumonia and other lung conditions, almost impossible to clean thoroughly leading to bumble foot and other skin infections, vulnerable to parasites etc. Plus your pet is hidden away in the garden. It's no life at all compared to being part of your family and your home, where you can see your pet easily and often and get early warning of any potential illnesses, while also knowing for sure that they are at a comfortable temperature, clean and safe from predators. When it comes to keeping rabbits alongside other pets, it very much depends on the situation. Remember that rabbits are prey animals so they can be easily stressed out by living in constant close proximity to a predator. Some bunnies are used to cats/dogs, and some cats/dogs are used to bunnies. Still other owners keep their bunnies separate from their other pets (by this I mean in a totally different room - you should never let your dog or cat play with your bunny under any circumstances, even if they appear to get along). In the end this is a judgement call, as it is up to the individual circumstances. But I would say that if you can't make it work with the rabbit indoors, then you shouldn't have a pet rabbit at all. Thanks again for your questions! Rachel.
Yoon says:
I was interested to see that you only recommend keeping rabbits indoors - would they be OK outside in summer and indoors in winter? Also when they are kept indoors can they be kept when there ar other pets in the house such as dogs or cats?
says:
hi, i have two cute dwarf hamsters called bubbles and scribles. they are very cute. the only trubble is that they bite. would you know how to stop them from biting?
Ross says:
It was Sam's (our Syrian hamster)2nd birthday on Monday (07/06/10). We got him from Paws Here and he is a wonderful companion. Always makes me smile.
steve says:
just to say a big thank you for taking on my little chinese dwarf hamsters, smudge and baily, im missing them already but I know you guys will look after them until they get a new home. You are all fantastic, keep up the good work, cheers xx
Nic (Toffee's Gran! says:
Toffee came home with us today after your excellent pet care class. Keren is having a tough time coping with not handling her but is being sensible about it! Toffee has had a good long investigation of her cage and has decided the best place to sleep just now is the sand bath, without any bedding:-). Thanks for all your help and advice you do a great job.
says:
Hi Megan, thanks for your question! There are a few things you can use as litter: paper pellets like Back 2 Nature or Yesterday's News are good as they are very mild for sensitive bunnies. You could use carefresh (a softer paper-based bedding) but your bunnies might kick it out of the tray more as it is lighter. You can use wood based cat litter as long as there are NO clumping agents or chemicals in it, just wood pellets. Or you can use wood shavings (not cedar). Be careful with the wood-based beddings that you keep an eye on whether it is irritating your bunny. Look out for hair loss and/or red skin, especially on the feet, or sniffles. If your rabbit gets any of these then switch to a paper based bedding and have them checked out by a good vet right away. We can reccommend the Dick Vet small animal clinic at Easter Bush.
Megan says:
Hi,me and my sister are getting rabbits very soon, and are thinking about using a litter tray, I was just wondering what we should use as a litter in it?
Caroline says:
Hi Rachel, we picked up from you a little syrian hamster this afternoon, she is settling in very fast and is so sweet and cute. We have named her Toffee-Sundae because of her colouring. Thanks very much!
Caroline says:
Hi, I was wondering if you had a litter of syrian hamsters available for veiwing in the next few weeks as I have an empty hamster cage that could do with being filled. Thanks xx
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