The Importance of Rabbit Hutch Security
Door fastenings are a concern when purchasing or constructing a rabbit hutch. Indeed, with all domestic animals, safety begins with successful containment. Rabbits go missing regularly from gardens. More often than not, the culprit is an urban fox, but cats, dogs and birds of prey are also guilty. The rabbit may well discover itself that it has a loose, rusted or otherwise easily undo-able clasp on its hutch and thus get out all by himself. Overhaul hutch security the moment it becomes necessary to do so. Better still, add a hasp and padlock. Sadly, there are pet thieves about, and while they are unlikely to make off with an entire hutch, it is a matter of a few seconds’ work to swipe the unprotected occupant.
Any run or exercise pen that you construct needs to be roofed. Rabbits can jump high, and predators can leap or scramble in. Then again, it is delightful to watch as Bunny wanders freely around your garden, but even supervised, a rabbit whose keeper takes their eye off the pet for a moment will escape through the tiniest of gaps. Making a garden fully escape-proof is hard to do and takes diligence. Wire mesh used in external fencing has to be lodged under the soil surface. Make sure, too, that your rabbit cannot access poisonous plants. There is a long list, and it includes many garden favourites. Here are just a few: poinsettias, cyclamen, garlic, foxglove, mistletoe, peony, rhododendron, periwinkle, boxwood, the china berry tree and even buttercups.
Quite apart from the risk of being poisoned, outdoor rabbits should be given a regular health-check. You can learn how precisely to carry this out yourself if you order the “Bunny MOT” leaflet from the Rabbit Welfare Association. Most owners know about the two most distressing diseases to affect rabbits – myxomatosis and VHD. These are both fatal, so there is no solution other than to maintain a regular vaccination programme. There is further unpleasant information that is nevertheless worth knowing about. Fly strike, a parasite attack which usually occurs in summer, takes place when a fly lays its eggs on your pet and the maggots, when they hatch, burrow into Bunny’s flesh. Also known as ‘myiasis’, it has been known to ‘strike’ even rabbits kept permanently indoors. Dirt, rotting food, faeces, decaying teeth and open wounds are can attract a fly which then chooses its spot for egg-laying. Both the blow-fly and the bot fly carry out this gruesome practice and it is therefore really worthwhile to check your rabbit regularly all over for fly eggs and for the tiny holes made by bot fly larvae. Lumps under the skin are another sign. You can remove flies’ eggs, but don’t leave it to chance. Take your rabbit to a vet, promptly. For prevention, the importance of keeping both your pet and his rabbit hutch clean cannot be overstated.
Once the three big issues for your pet of shelter, physical safety and disease prevention have been catered for, it is time for the most important aspect of rabbit ownership: building an ever-evolving relationship with your bunny – whether it lives indoors or out. Some websites that might be of interest include: www.rabbitwelfare.co.uk and www.rabbitwelfarefund.co.uk .