Advice on rabbit housing during a vacation.

[SiobhanRoisin]

Hi there,

I was looking for some advice. I have two free range house rabbits, that I have had for about three years. I need to go away for a week for a friends wedding and I am a bit concerned about their care. Previously if I have had to leave them I have gotten someone to come and stay in my flat, which I prefer, but I live a bit out the way of most people, and it's quite an imposition to ask people to take a week of their time to come and stay in my flat.

I have found a place locally that boards rabbits, https://www.rabbitretreat.co.uk/, they only take rabbits and guinea pigs and have nothing but good reviews online. They have an indoor space in their 'Lapin Lodge' for the time that I need to be away. I am going to view the place tomorrow.

However, I am extremely nervous about this option. My rabbits have only every left my flat to go to the vets for their jabs etc. I know that they can get nervous and anxious very easily. Does anyone have any experience about leaving rabbits for the first time in a place like this? Even though it is an indoor enclosure, I know it won't be as big as the space they have here, I have never put them in a cage, and they get free range all day every day. Will it be too stressful for them to stay in a new environment for a week? Has anyone ever lost a bunny this way? Will they think they've been abandoned? I work from home so I generally they are used to me being with them a lot of the time. Or will they probably adjust and it's just me worrying too much?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

 

[Popsicles]

It’s very dependent on your rabbits personalities how well they will cope with change. They will be better off for the fact they have each other, And usually these places will let you bring your own water bowls, hides etc, to make it as familiar for them as possible. If they have great reviews and you are maybe able to have a look round beforehand I would say you’ll be fine.

 

[samoth]

I wish I had access to a place like that where I live in the US!

I knew I'd have to board my rabbits before I got them, so I just planned ahead: I got the largest cage that would fit in my car (my guys are free range as well), and left it out in the living room for them to explore/hop around for a week before sending them off.

My vet clinic boards rabbits, but all that really means is that I drop off a carload of everything they need, and the clinic feeds them & cleans their cage. I had concerns how they'd handle being in a confined area for a week, but they did great. I think it helped that they were a bonded pair and had each other for company. But they were ecstatic to get back and be able to run around

I wouldn't worry about the place that you linked... that's probably the best you can possibly do for them!

 

[Nancy McClelland]

We're lucky--my son comes over and stays--we have 2 dogs, 9 birds, and 1 rabbit. Since I'm his landlord and he pays almost nothing in rent he is quite amenable.

 

[Augustus&HazelGrace]

We're lucky--my son comes over and stays--we have 2 dogs, 9 birds, and 1 rabbit.

What happened to all of your other bunnies I thought you all had several???

 

[DelawareRunner]

I've lucked out--found an older lady who pet sits and doesn't mind me bring my bunny and two guinea pigs to her place to stay while we're away. No other pets are there. My pets are used to quiet and she provides this, and I like the constant company because that's what they are used to with me. My bunny is part free roam and spends time in a decent sized pen, but she stays in a large dog crate while she's there. She seems to do fine.

My parents are my back up plan, but they don't get as much attention there and they have dogs--nice dogs, but I don't think my bunny liked them too much.

 

[Butterscotch]

My sister watched my 2 bunnies at her house when I took a trip a few weeks ago and they did fine. I was only supposed to be gone a few days but ended up having car trouble out of state which extended my "vacation" a few more days. Before I left, I was so worried about them that I almost canceled my trip but they really did do just fine! My sister's house is full of noisy kids and barky dogs whereas my house is calm and quiet, so it was a completely different environment for my rabbits. If anything, my little doe came home friendlier and more inquisitive. She must have been handled a lot by my nieces and nephews. I think rabbits are a little more hardy than we give them credit for sometimes. I will also add that my sister had no idea how to take care of a rabbit. I left 6 pages of instructions! And they still did just fine.

 

[Whiterabbitrage]

We left our bun Harvey at a rabbit specialized boarding place. We were nervous leaving her as you are nervous leaving your bun, but they took excellent care of her. The Lapin Lodge looks great! Be sure to explain to the care givers Joe nervous your buns are and as they have experience dealing with rabbits I’m sure they will take proper caution in dealing with them