Can I keep a bunny in my closet?

[4 Georgia Hens]

I think the closet or section of the garage is best. Are there lights that you can turn on during the day in these areas?
They should have proper day/night cycles.

Yes! The closet has a light and our garage has a bunch of windows.

 

[4 Georgia Hens]

Honestly, I don't think the closet idea sounds bad at all and it would probably make spending time with it easier. I currently have a house rabbit that is free in a room in the basement. She's a good bunny, I don't have issues. I keep cords out of reach, give her cardboard boxes to chew, and make sure she has constant access to her litterbox and all's well. I've kept rabbits in several different setups (including outdoors) and this works the best for me & the rabbit.

Edit—I am assuming you do not have carpet in your closet. If you do, I'd go for the garage instead.

Thank you! My closet does have carpet, but we are willing to replace it with peel and stick linoleum. I might even start the bunny out in the garage to see his/her habits, how easily I can manage the smell, and etc. Then using the info gathered to determine whether or not I should commit to such a hefty project such as remodeling my closet.

 

[chickenenthusiasts5698]

I’m in NC..hot summers and mild winters and am currently housing 3 rabbits outside and never had any issues.

 

[cassie]

Also, that is why I am on here, requesting a (kind) assessment on my idea. Nothing has been set in stone.

It is smart of you to seek information before you jump in. My comment was not meant to be snarky. I really did want to know why you thought keeping a rabbit outside was cruel.

 

[21hens-incharge]

It is smart of you to seek information before you jump in. My comment was not meant to be snarky. I really did want to know why you thought keeping a rabbit outside was cruel.

I asked too since in the first post it was stated.
Never really got an answer either.

Okay, okay I know that the title sounds cruel, but just hear me out. Recently, I have been looking into what it would require to have a pet rabbit. From my research, I concluded that keeping such a vulnerable and fragile animal outside is really cruel. So is housing a bunny in a cage. Free roam really isn’t an option right now....but it is a possibility for the future. I got to thinking, and I came up with this idea: I could transform my closet into a rabbit room! So, my closet is 2ft 6in wide and is 9ft 4in long. It has plenty of room for a rabbit to run, play, and binky. I would either remove the carpet and replace it with something easier to clean or line the floor with yoga mats, blankets, and etc. which could be washed frequently. I plan to take off the door and replace it with a curtain for ventilation purposes and a baby gate to ensure that the rabbit stays inside. I could put a fan in there as well to assist in air circulation. Of course, I would clean/vacuum the area and litter box often to reduce nasty scents. Also, I would let the bunny out as often as possible to get exercise and fresh air. I do plan to remove my clothes from the closet and store them in my dresser if the bun moves in. I really need some opinions. Is this cruel? What is a better alternative? How could I approve my plan? I have never had a rabbit before so I am open to receiving new information!

 

[NatJ]

It is smart of you to seek information before you jump in. My comment was not meant to be snarky. I really did want to know why you thought keeping a rabbit outside was cruel.

I asked too since in the first post it was stated.
Never really got an answer either.

Answer on page 2:

Thank you. It is seems to be a controversial topic because I have met/read about/ watched so many people avocating rabbits as indoor animals. It’s all really confusing

Answer on page 3:

I don’t think keeping a rabbit outside is cruel! I never agreed with that statement in the first place. Obviously, I know very little about rabbits. When I wanted to learn more, I discovered many helpful YouTube channels and blogs where the people running it declare that bunnies are meant to be inside. They say that it is cruel to allow such a vulnerable animal outside. I believed that statement because so many people seemed to agree with it. However, I am now seeing how that is inaccurate and my view is constantly shifting.

Looks like OP is asking questions and learning, but the internet is full of information, much of it disagreeing with other information, and some of it probably downright wrong. It's hard to sort it out. So what one "knows" can change pretty fast!

 

[21hens-incharge]

Answer on page 2:


Answer on page 3:


Looks like OP is asking questions and learning, but the internet is full of information, much of it disagreeing with other information, and some of it probably downright wrong. It's hard to sort it out. So what one "knows" can change pretty fast!

Ok. I will be more specific with my question then.

What about the videos and reading led to the belief that caging a rabbit is cruel?

Is a closet enclosure not still a cage of sorts?
It limits the animals freedom just as a cage would.
A fenced yard is a cage of sorts as it limits a dogs freedom, my chickens have a run=also a cage as it limits freedom.

Cages....however implemented....provide protection from predation, traffic, fights, etc. If implemented correctly they also provide protection from bad weather.

 

[NatJ]

Ok. I will be more specific with my question then.

What about the videos and reading led to the belief that caging a rabbit is cruel?

Oh, I thought you were talking about whether OUTSIDE was cruel.
If you were talking about CAGES, then I certainly agree! Everything discussed is one kind of cage or another. Total freedom is great until it isn't (predators, etc.)

I've always assumed that people saying "cages are cruel" really meant that a specific kind of cage was cruel, and that they didn't consider anything else to really be a "cage"

 

[4 Georgia Hens]

Ok. I will be more specific with my question then.

What about the videos and reading led to the belief that caging a rabbit is cruel?

Is a closet enclosure not still a cage of sorts?
It limits the animals freedom just as a cage would.
A fenced yard is a cage of sorts as it limits a dogs freedom, my chickens have a run=also a cage as it limits freedom.

Cages....however implemented....provide protection from predation, traffic, fights, etc. If implemented correctly they also provide protection from bad weather.

I see where you are coming from! I never gave any specifics on what I meant by “cage” because, you are right, practically anything can be considered a cage. I meant something like this:

That is clearly WAAY to small for that bunny and I wanted to avoid anything close to this. Is that clearer? I’m sorry for being really vague.

 

[21hens-incharge]

Oh, I thought you were talking about whether OUTSIDE was cruel.
If you were talking about CAGES, then I certainly agree! Everything discussed is one kind of cage or another. Total freedom is great until it isn't (predators, etc.)

I've always assumed that people saying "cages are cruel" really meant that a specific kind of cage was cruel, and that they didn't consider anything else to really be a "cage"

Aggreed. There are good cages and bad cages....or more accurately cages that allow the animal to not stand in their own leavings or risk injury and cages that crowd animals and are kept filthy.
Think cattle herd in large pasture vs feedlot as a very clear visual.

To keep it tread relevent..a caged rabbit..there are indoor cages available that are quite small with a plastic bottom.

https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcostore/category/small-animal/rabbit-shop/rabbit-cages

When I kept bunnies mine had hutches that were 3'x5' each. I had on the ground play areas for them to use while I could supervise.
putting 2 females in the play area would result in horrid fights as would putting 2 bucks in there.

The manor of management will largely affect the animals wellbeing.