Is it cruel, to keep a rabbit, in a hutch?

I have a rabbit and he is about 4-5. He has lived in a hutch, but.. since then, my mum decided, it would be much better for him, to have the small shed, that we have. So, he now has his hutch.. inside the hedge and also the rest of the shed, too! :)



We have put loads of little toy rabbit balls in, for him and a big rock, that he can climb on and treats. He also has a toy carrot, which he seems quite attached to! He keeps carrying it around.



My mum told me, that she thought leaving it in a hutch, was cruel and thought it was about time, we let him have more space and seeing him running about, makes me feel happy and I get to see him more. We have put this fire grate, around the door, so we can have the door of the shed open for the day and at night, we close it.. so he is safe.



We also let him wander around the garden, to explore.



He tends to have fur loss, though. Is this normal for rabbits? The vets said he was fine. He is black, so you can notice it, easily.

Is it cruel, to keep a rabbit, in a hutch?
My rabbit lives in a hutch, but he loves to get out! I think that as long as your shed is safe for him (as in nothing poisonous or harmful that he can chew, no way he can hurt himself and no way cats or other animals can get in to hurt him), he should be fine.



I've heard that rabbits get heat stroke though, so look out for him in the summers.
Reply:hi

keeping a rabbit in a huch is a little cruel but if you let him out in your backyard like i do, its fine.(=
Reply:Keeping a rabbit in a hutch is not cruel as long as they have plenty of exercise time during the day. If you consider the wild lifestyle of a rabbit they spend much of their time asleep underground. Whilst you will see your bunny playing happily you will also notice he sleeps in the same spot an awful lot!



I have house bunnies and believe you miss so much of a rabbit personality when they are simply living in a hutch down the garden. They are very active, strong individuals and surprisingly playful. Anything that can be picked up and thrown about (like his carrot toy) is bound to be a favourite. They are also keen on climbing so a ramp to the roof of his hutch or a large log to sit on would be welcomed. Why not look around your pet store for some toys, as people become more aware of how bright these little animals are they are bringing more and more great products onto the market.



Kally
Reply:well what i have is a hutch attached onto a run so the rabbit can go in and out of the hutch and run around. this is really good for your rabbit and i think you should do this. it is quite cruel to have a rabbit hutched up all the time and not been able to taste the grass and have a run around. especially in summer where the rabbit might get to warm. the rabbit also needs exercise so i think it is time you get a run for your lovely rabbit. there not expensive secend hand. i got mine for ￡10. it is 2 meters long and 1 meter wide. so my rabbit can my guinea pigs can enjoy a lovely summer day and get some well deserved exercise





also it is normal fur loss. my rabbit makes a nest for her and her guinea pig companion in winter to keep them selves warm, it is a mixture of hay and a hell of a of fur.



hope i helped

danni...%26lt;3...x
Reply:I have a 10 year old bunny, who runs free in a small yard with two dogs, (chiwawas). He acts and plays just like the dogs, and is very tame and loving. The dogs are very attached to him and vise verse. He sleeps in his hutch at night, to protect him from predators, but I think he's had such a long and healthy life from being free to roam. Pulling their fur out is normal, they would nest with it if in the wild, and they will sometimes plug a drafty hole in their hutch with fur.