putting rabbits in a harness?

[LazerFace]

i was thinking of getting a harness for Charlie as i would love for him to start agillity training or just to be able to be outside a littlebit without beeing restrained by an xpen. i have done a bit of research and have found out that the rabbit community is split in half on this matter, so if you would like to leave any personal opinions, experiences or anything helpfull it would be very much appreciated

 

[Popsicles]

You can often train them to tolerate it, and some I know really enjoy it! My bunny will let me place the harness, but hates being attached to me on lead unless we are doing agility type activities. (Even then she would rather do those without the lead). I don’t se any reason not to try, as long as you take it slow and give him time to adjust!

 

[Hermelin]

Both my rabbits love going out in harness and explore the forest. And soon I will start to harness training to my new rabbit when he gotten used with being petted and picked up.

Best it’s to start slow and build up to a leash with you holding. Took me 3 months of harness training and leash training before one of rabbit accepted the leash and tolerated me following him.

 

[billythebun]

I think it depends on the rabbit. Also, I think like Hermelin said- you need to do harness training. Which is what I intend on doing for my little Billy If he really doesn't like it then I won't force it, obviously.

 

[Mariam+Theo]

When I got my bunny he hated it and I did some research on the topic. I read somewhere that if you rub the harness and leash on your rabbit it will get used to it. It works! My bunny's problem was that he liked chewing it. Well... Theo just so happened to hate water. Every time he would chew on it I would gently mist his fur. I know that is not the best for rabbits, but I dried him off thoroughly after. When he started walking with it on I would walk him around in a pen just to get used to it. It took me only a week to train him on it! He is now an expert and loves it! Do not pull on the harness when your rabbit is turned towards you or else it will slip out. It has happened several times to Theo.
I hope this was helpful! Sorry if it is not!

 

[Popsicles]

I personally wouldn’t use negative reinforcement in this way, on any species. You want to make him enjoy being in the harness and behaving well , not tolerate it because you will punish him otherwise. Better to promote good behaviour by distracting from bad behaviour and giving treats and pets when he does well. If he is insistent to chew you can distract with a clap, for example. This also creates a bond of friendship with your pet, rather than master/subordinate which has been shown to have negative emotional effects (in dogs at least).

 

[Blue eyes]

Don't use just any rabbit harness. Most are considered unsafe. Only the h-style is safe - and only when fitted properly.

 

[Liung]

Ahhh I’m not a fan of the style of harnesses marketed towards rabbits: neck loop, back loop, strap to attach them on the shoulders. I believe they’re called h-style. I feel that any tension on a lead attached to this type puts pressure on their throat that isn’t good. Also, a lead easily pulls the whole thing sideways. I prefer y-front harnesses, that have a belly strap, a strap going up their shoulders to behind their neck, and then two straps coming down on either side of their neck to attach to a ring on their chest, and another strap on the ring running between their legs to attach to the belly strap. If tension is put on a lead attached to this harness, the rabbits’s weight is on straps that are across their chest rather than their neck, and it’s much more secure. A significant dewlap can get in the way a little and skew the chest strap to the side, but I feel the risk of choking is still much less. Pulling Delilah’s dewlap up above the chest ring after I’ve put it on her has the added bonus that she can’t chew on the straps with her own fur in the way.

 

[Blue eyes]

Here's the H-style that is recommended. We have old threads here on RO. Can't remember the name of the member that used to do agility jumping. The moderator, Watermelons posted this photo.

 

[Bam Bam]

I see many think it is ok. I was told by my vet and a few rescue pros that it could be very dangerous. Rabbits have very weak spines and if your bunny gets frightened by something he could break his back.
I’m no pro. Only repeating what I was told but I see a few here who use it and their bunnies handle it fine.

 

[Preitler]

Well, I bought a harness like that, made for small dogs, problem was that I could fit the front part over the head - but no chance to get those ears through. So I removed one clip from the back strap and sewed it into the front loop, well, ear problem solved, but he runs away the second I try to lift one front leg to step into the harness. Granted, I didn't try it often enough yet, other things have priority, but it'll take some time.

 

[Liung]

@Bam Bam yes absolutely that is correct, their spines snap very easily and they can break their own backs with the strength of their kicks... but in what situations would a harness increase the risk of that? Are people lifting their animal into the air by their harnesses??? That’s a “dangerous for any animal” thing, not a rabbit thing. Are the rabbits getting leashes tangled and freaking out? Yeah, but in that case certain harnesses are still going to be safer than others, and definitely safer than a collar.

When I put my rabbits in harnesses it’s because I’m judging that the safety risk of them getting caught on something while wearing a harness is lower than the safety risk of them not wearing a harness. As long as the proper style of harness is properly fitted to be neither too loose nor too tight, and they’re only wearing it under strict supervision, I don’t see an issue.