My outdoor bunny is scared of indoors. How to transition her inside?

Hello and thank you for reaching out to Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. I recommend bringing as much of the outside in as you can. For example, bring some of their toys or bedding that they've had outside to the inside of your house, so that it is familiar to them. If you think the inside of your house will be noisy, you can buy them a white noise machine to help drown out any strange noises they may not be used to, and eventually wean them off of this. I hope this is helpful!

I would not recommend putting a rabbit that has been living indoors outside permanently. They get used to the indoor climate and outside living can be a shock for them. And if you proceed to do it a metal/plastic cage is not an appropriate home for them. It will provide absoloutely no insulation due to the thermal properties of the materials. You would need to invest in an insulated wooden hutch or a specifically outdoor plastic hutch.

Hi, it is best to keep rabbits inside at night in very hot or very cold weather. They can go outside in nice weather and back inside at night. Predators love rabbits, since they have no way to fight back if another animal wants to eat them. Also, outside they are prone to get fleas, ticks, and other external parasites on their bodies. They can also get internal parasites from eating brush and dirt. If you live where dogs and cats go, I would only allow your rabbit outside in a very secure cage. Make sure it is large enough for the rabbit to get exercise, has shelter, and food and water available. It also should go underground a half a foot so predators cannot dig under the fencing. So in light of the set up it takes to safely keep a rabbit outside, it is better to keep them indoor where they are safe. Rabbits can be leash walked with a small harness for outdoor activity. Good luck, I hope this helps!

This sounds potentially quite dangerous as Bun Bun could suffer trauma or predation while out on her adventures. I would recommend keeping her in a rabbit enclosure or a closed room inside your house, especially when you’re leaving the house and not supervising her. She can free roam when you’re there to keep an eye on her, but if you’re opening the door to leave or having people over, she should be confined. This will prevent her running out the door again. As for not remembering your sister, she probably does but may still be on high alert from her outside events and may need some time to calm down and respond more normally to people. As a prey species, rabbits are always on high alert for dangers, and the chemicals in her body need some time to adjust to the change in scenario.

Thanks for reaching out about Buddy. One of the keys to keep on mind regarding rabbits is they are easily stressed. So changing things slowly is best. Once she is introduced to your home, allow her a quiet place to recuperate for a few days, with limited interactions. Monitor water and food intake, and urine and fecal production. If is recommended she be kept away from other pet, including rabbits, until she is more comfortable. Take it slow. Good luck.

She needs time to acclimate to her new home. I would give her several days without handling to let her settle in before causing too much stress. Start slowly offering her treats to encourage her to interact with you.

Great question! Generally over 26C is too hot for rabbits, but I know Australia gets very hot in the summer time! Much hotter than that. It would be best to keep Fluffy indoors where it is cooler for her. If you cannot do that, make sure her outdoor hutch provides plenty of shade for her, and continually give her fresh cool water. Watch for signs of overheating which include fast and shallow breathing, hot ears, and listlessness. If you see any of those signs, rush her into a vet immediately. Good luck, I hope this helps!