Hello, this is my 2 months old bunny.
Last night after a heavy rain, a fox found it’s way inside my garden and chased him for maybe 1 minute before he ran inside the house.
He isn’t injured but is afraid of moving further than a meter away from the doorway. He normally is very curious, not being afraid of chickens, dogs or even children (who can get a bit too excited around him).
Was wondering if there was anything I can do to help him out. Or should I simply let him come around.
He normally leaves the house at around 7am when I open the door for him and is free to explore unti 11-12pm when he joins us inside.
by BarStandard3826
14 Comments
The real question: your rabbit was almost killed by a fox. Why would you ever let the bun return to a proven dangerous area?
I’d be most concerned about a hawk targeting him. I personally would keep him indoors or set up areas covered with chicken wire for him to go in while outside. Sounds like he’s learning how unsafe it is out there and honestly it won’t be long before a tragedy.
Everything you’ve written says to me your bunny won’t survive.
Foxes are not the only predators out there. Bunnies are small, relatively defenseless, and easily snatched up by all kinds of things. He could get grabbed by a bird of prey, a dog, another cat, snakes, people, or eat something poisonous. He could even get terrified and have a heart attack (it happens, bunnies are fragile). Even without all that, he could easily dig his way out. Bunnies love to dig, and if there is something in the way of where they want to go, they will dig under it. Once he’s out, he’s gone forever.
It does not matter if he doesn’t enjoy staying inside. Keeping him safe should be your #1 priority. Letting him run about wherever he wants outside is not safe. If you absolutely insist on letting him outside, he needs a specially made fenced-in area that is also covered from above (check online, I’m sure people have builds) AND you need to be there to keep an eye on him the *entire time*.
I don’t mean this to sound rude, but if you’re leaving your bunny; a small, easily spotted and grabbed prey animal, unsupervised outside all morning, it makes me think you don’t really care about that bunny, and you probably shouldn’t have it.
I would just give your bunny some time to figure out if he wants to keep going outside all day. I’m sure he did really enjoy being able to roam around freely but that was before he realized that there are things out there that can hurt him or kill him. When I got my bunnies, we let them run around outside with our chickens and they loved it, rarely wanted to come back inside. But when one of my chickens tried pecking one of them in the eye, and it started getting hot out, and realized all the fleas, ticks and other parasites, and most of all fly strike that could potentially kill them, I quit letting them go outside at all. They did sit by the door and scratch at it, but after a few days they were fine. Now they love being inside with me which is where I wanted them anyway. And having chickens that free range that also draw attention from predators in the sky, it’s just a tragedy waiting to happen. But if you feel comfortable letting him outside still, then you just have to wait and see if he still feels comfortable being out there.
That’s why if my bun is out side Iam outside next to him. Bunnies don’t belong outside anything and everything will try to eat them. Protect your bun
Don’t let your rabbit outdoors, please. Between parasites, predators, and disease… it really isn’t worth the risk. You’ve just seen that the predators absolutely can get into your yard. It would be unbelievably irresponsible to do it again. With appropriate enrichment, buns can live the happiest lives without running in the garden. If there’s a next time, there will be no excuse.
I am not sure if your bunny will ever get over the incident. What I have learned after adopting a traumatized bunny is that they are not good at letting things go.
One thing you do need to do is create a permanent safe space for him.
And you shouldn’t let him outside anymore unsupervised or after dark. Even if at all.
I understand you said that he enjoys being outside, but now you have proof that the outside world is scary and not safe at all for bunnies.
Get him comfortable in your home. Make hide houses and give him access to move his body.
If you feel it’s absolutely necessary to have him outside DON’T just leave him there.
I have had a bunny who enjoyed being outside, but it was by my side or in a leash and ONLY in daytime.
And don’t expect him to just get over it easily or forget about it in a couple of days. If he do, that’s a miracle.
Why is he even outside? You should know better. If you can’t let him free roam in *at least* a room in the house, give him up. Don’t let him outside.
You’re very fortunate your bunny didn’t suffer a fatal heart attack in response to this incident. Do you really want to allow for a second chance for that to happen?
Shit, I would be too. In fact I wouldn’t be outside no more. It’s now property of Mr. sly the fox
Once a fox finds prey ( your rabbit in this case), it will usually keep coming back until it makes the kill. Your rabbit can adjust to being indoors. Foxes can get into chicken coops that are built to keep chickens safe- he will absolutely get back into your yard. The rabbit is scared because he is smart and knows he’s not safe out there.
Also, foxes hunt during the day as well as night. Hawks also hunt during the day. Your rabbit isn’t safe in the daytime.
Poor baby…. I’m just going to repeat what everybody else is saying here- but please do not let your rabbit outside, unsupervised. No matter how “safe” It is to you, there is no real safety outdoors for prey animals from natural predators- foxes, bears, coyotes, etc etc depending on where you live. This is ESPECIALLY the case considering your rabbit is NOT a wild animal. Domesticated critters are bred to be under our care, Not out by themselves. I totally understand that you want him to enjoy his time outside, but please, STAY WITH HIM! If you are not able to be supervising him at all times outside, let him be inside! If he is always sitting at the door, then perhaps he needs more toys, hiding spots, etc. 🙂
Of course bun is terrified…he ran for his life!!I absolutely won’t let my buns go outside for this very reason. I have foxes, hawks, raccoons, Black Widow Spiders, Snakes, etc., all over my area. Can’t chance it so my buns are indoors only and go out on the enclosed patio area. That’s it.
Why not get a large walk-in chicken coop? That way, when he wants to be outside, he is enclosed in a safe place?