Can rabbits be left alone for a week

[kooldude1305]

Hi all,
We are going to visit Sydney for a week during Christmas, just wondering if our pet rabbits can be left alone for a week. We have a big cage on the lawn and we will weather proof it. Also we will leave enough food (grass on the lawn, and otber nibbies) and water for the week. Is it okay to leave them on their own for a week. I have researched online and some say rabbits can’t be left alone for more than 2 days.

Thanks

 

[Preitler]

Not something I would try. With "grass on the lawn" you mean you let the grass grow so they can graze? My two house rabbits keep the grass low in my front yard, about 25m², and that aditionally to being fed huge amounts of forage.
A pile of forage would spoil, and if they get lots of hay they tend to waste it quickly, just picking the best parts, trampling and soiling the rest. Other food like pellets would be gobbled up, since mine get very little of that this could be a real problem.
Water can be soiled, run out, spill..., too much that can happen in a week.

I pay a teen down the road to feed my rabbits once or twice a day, once a day would be enough if there are big enough hay and food racks and not too many rabbits together. The peace of mind is definitly worth the expense.

 

[Hermelin]

I never leave my bunnies more than a day alone. So it’s better that you find a bunny sitter that can check the bunnies and give food to them at least once a day.

 

[BigJ111]

Definitely a big NO. Bunnies can't be left a week on their own, and putting enough food for a week at once would only create problems one way or another. You'd need to find someone to come everyday at least.

 

[BunLover]

I would say no. They need real hay, and changed water twice a day. Redone litter boxes. And NOT unlimited food

 

[DelawareRunner]

No, only a day or two max for a bunny. They often try to eat all the food early if it's unlimited.

 

[James + Ted]

You can leave some animals alone for a while, but not rabbits.

I used to work in a job that required travel every other week. I would leave Sunday nights, and return Thursday evenings. I would leave plenty of food and water for my cat. Four days alone wasn’t detrimental to his health, and he lived to the ripe old age of 21.

That said, I would never leave my rabbit alone for more than 16 hours at a time, without making arrangements to have someone give him food + water + a few minutes of attention.

just my opinion.

 

[overhear]

Hi all,
We are going to visit Sydney for a week during Christmas, just wondering if our pet rabbits can be left alone for a week. We have a big cage on the lawn and we will weather proof it. Also we will leave enough food (grass on the lawn, and otber nibbies) and water for the week. Is it okay to leave them on their own for a week. I have researched online and some say rabbits can’t be left alone for more than 2 days.

Unfortunately, I think it's pretty risky. It would be so easy for something to go wrong. For instance, if something went wrong with their water supply, they could be under duress very quickly.

When I go away I have neighbors who check in on my bunny 2x a day. In exchange, I walk their dogs, feed their cat, and check in on their animals every day when they go away. It works out really well.

Thank unfortunately

 

[Ampee]

+1 here.
The max time we left our Bunnies alone was for 2 days. That is having a sitter come feed them in the morning and in the evening. + We had 2 cameras running 24/7 with recording everything so we could check on them all the time.

The way Rabbits' system works it's basically a time bomb, turn away and next thing you know is not accepting their favorite treat.....

I would say that if your Rabbits is perfectly healthy and you have big enough water source and hay and also a camera so you can check him/her then maybe 1 day at maximum (without anyone checking on them), but I would really not risk it.

 

[Momma Luvbun]

I get bunny anxiety and can't be away from mine for longer than 3 days.
That being said, I have my sister come and stay to watch the buns if I do need to go without them (I prefer to not take them with me so they are more comfortable in their own surroundings).
Alternatively, I used to get a friend to come over twice a day to provide hay, water and change litterbox ..check all was good with them.

I personally wouldn't leave my buns alone for a while week without anyone checking in on them because you never know what can happen from one day to the next.

 

[marilynpearson237]

No. Please find someone to house sit and/ or rabbit sit. Rabbits need companionship and someone to monitor how much they are eating/drinking and pooping. The stress of you being gone may increase the risk of GI stasis. Rabbits love routine. Maybe a neighbor, coworker, friend with a teenager who would to play with the rabbit but is responsible too.

 

[Ampee]

Also that someone should be a knowledgable one about Rabbits.
And you would need to have a plan for "if he/she is unwell", like the sitter could catch them and take them to place x where they can give support.

 

[Orrin]

No. Please, no. As Ampee said, "The way Rabbits' system works it's basically a time bomb..."

I'd be beside myself if I had to leave our rabbits overnight. My wife and I recently had some medical issues; so, we hired a neighbor lad to check in on our rabbits every day; his mom or grandmother supervised.

It was the best money we ever spent because of the peace of mind.

We've had rabbits suddenly and unexpectedly develop serious GI stasis. Had we not gotten them to a veterinary, immediately, they would not have survived.