Rabbit in garage

[Lilac_Ginger_Butterscotch]

So my parent(s) want a rabbit and they want to put it in the garage. I say it's a bad idea because of the constant opening and closing of the garage door and it wont have any light when we aren't in there but they just say it's a rabbit, it will be fine, but I think it will get some sort of anxiety. So I wanted to know, am I wrong in my thinking or are they the ones that are in the wrong.

 

[Chookchicken]

I’d say they are the ones in the wrong. You are right, it isn’t fair for the rabbit to sit in darkness with very little natural light. If they don’t want to provide the rabbit with what it needs then they shouldn’t have it. Most people keep their rabbits with constant access to natural light. They do need a dark place to hide (since rabbits tend to hide in barrows) but it isn’t a constant thing. I’m not an expert and have never kept rabbits, but putting the rabbit in the garage is cruel.

 

[Lilac_Ginger_Butterscotch]

I’d say they are the ones in the wrong. You are right, it isn’t fair for the rabbit to sit in darkness with very little natural light. If they don’t want to provide the rabbit with what it needs then they shouldn’t have it. Most people keep their rabbits with constant access to natural light. They do need a dark place to hide (since rabbits tend to hide in barrows) but it isn’t a constant thing. I’m not an expert and have never kept rabbits, but putting the rabbit in the garage is cruel.

Ok thanks for your input!

 

[EverythingDucks]

A garage would get far too hot in the summer and the rabbit would be in the dark most times. Like you said, the garage door opening and closing would likely stress it out too. That's not a good life for a rabbit.
Indoors is a much better place. They can be easily litter trained, especially when fixed, they don't stink as long as they're cleaned up after (with the exception of an unneutered male, who may spray), and you can form a much better relationship with your rabbit when it's part of the family.
The best enclosure you can get is a dog pen. You can use a wire one like this,

C&C grids

Or these

I recommend watching and showing your parents videos from Lennon the Bunny on YouTube. She has lots of useful information on everything including diet, bunny proofing, free roaming, litter training, and more. Once your parents are on board with keeping a rabbit indoors, I would consider fostering a rabbit to see what owning one is like. Of course, every rabbit will be different, but rescues will often provide and pay for everything you'll need while the rabbit is in your care (aside from fresh food usually).
If you have any more questions feel free to ask me

 

[Lilac_Ginger_Butterscotch]

A garage would get far too hot in the summer and the rabbit would be in the dark most times. Like you said, the garage door opening and closing would likely stress it out too. That's not a good life for a rabbit.
Indoors is a much better place. They can be easily litter trained, especially when fixed, they don't stink as long as they're cleaned up after (with the exception of an un-unneutered male, who may spray), and you can form a much better relationship with your rabbit when it's part of the family.
The best enclosure you can get is a dog pen. You can use a wire one like this,
View attachment 3102270
C&C grids
View attachment 3102272
Or these
View attachment 3102274
I recommend watching and showing your parents videos from Lennon the Bunny on YouTube. She has lots of useful information on everything including diet, bunny proofing, free roaming, litter training, and more. Once your parents are on board with keeping a rabbit indoors, I would consider fostering a rabbit to see what owning one is like. Of course, every rabbit will be different, but rescues will often provide and pay for everything you'll need while the rabbit is in your care (aside from fresh food usually).
If you have any more questions feel free to ask me

Thank you for the information! But they said that they don't want it inside because it will make the house smell or something I honestly don't think they know what they want I'll try to get them make or buy a cage to keep it outside in the backyard and ill try the best I can to stop them from keeping it in the garage

 

[JacinLarkwell]

It would be better to keep the rsbbit outside thab in a garage

 

[EverythingDucks]

Thank you for the information! But they said that they don't want it inside because it will make the house smell or something I honestly don't think they know what they want I'll try to get them make or buy a cage to keep it outside in the backyard and ill try the best I can to stop them from keeping it in the garage

@Kiki has a rabbit that has done perfect with litter training from the day she brought him home, and he never smells. Show them some of the YouTube videos, that may help them realize that the rabbit isn't going to smell.
A nice large enclosure outside could work, just be aware that most cages and hutches are way over priced, much too small, and won't keep the rabbit safe from the weather or predators. Dog pens are around $30 from amazon, whereas a suitable outdoor enclosure is going to be far more.
Shed conversions are a good option for outdoor enclosures. Remember that rabbits prefer lots of floorspace to run and get exercise, rather than multiple small levels. Though if you do have vertical space, lofts are a good way to make use of it.

If you do house the rabbit outside, I suggest you get two rabbits to keep each other company. But they will both have to be fixed and bonded. Rabbit rescues often have bonded pairs for adoption.

Before adopting one, be sure you're parents fully understand how much work they take, and space they need. They're more similar to cats and dogs rather than livestock in my opinion.

 

[cassie]

Thank you for the information! But they said that they don't want it inside because it will make the house smell or something I honestly don't think they know what they want I'll try to get them make or buy a cage to keep it outside in the backyard and ill try the best I can to stop them from keeping it in the garage

Either build a suitable outdoor hutch or don't get a rabbit. Of course, if they get a rabbit anyway and house it in the garage like you describe, the rabbit is going to be a short term project, especially once the summer heat hits.

 

[Lilac_Ginger_Butterscotch]

Either build a suitable outdoor hutch or don't get a rabbit. Of course, if they get a rabbit anyway and house it in the garage like you describe, the rabbit is going to be a short term project, especially once the summer heat hits.

I'll try to get them to change their mind because I don't want to just sit back and watch it die

 

[Battlepants]

A curiosity on my side - why are they wanting specifically a rabbit and not something a bit more traditional like a cat or dog?

I feel like a properly litterbox trained cat could fill any role that a rabbit could. And (excuse my limited knowledge of rabbit care) a cat may be less work overall.