Can you walk a rabbit around your house on a leash?

Answer 1

Before bringing your rabbit outside on a leash, it's a good idea to walk her around inside so that she gets used to the harness and leash without a lot of new stimuli around. Otherwise, it's not a good idea to use leashes inside, because the rabbit can get tangled or stuck -- there are much better ways to "rabbit-proof" your home! There are harnesses and leashes made for rabbits, and some rabbits do enjoy going for walks outside, but there are dangers that you have to look out for:

Make sure the harness allows her to move normally and naturally. If the rabbit's movements are constricted by the harness, and something happens to panic the rabbit, she can seriously injure herself (even leading to permanent disability). A rabbit's harness must fit around its chest as well as its neck: a single loop around the neck is dangerous for rabbits.

Stay far away from predators like cats, dogs, and other animals. Many cats and dogs are fine with rabbits, but the rabbits don't know that and just seeing the animal nearby by can start a panic attack (rabbits can even die of shock!). Wild animals can hurt your rabbit in a second's time, so stay close by and don't just watch the rabbit: look all around you so that you notice the hawk circling overhead, or the raccoon in the bushes.

Avoid the threat of bad weather by keeping your rabbit inside when it's really hot or cold, or even when it's just cool and rainy. For a rabbit that's used to it, playing in the snow can be fun; but, it can also be dangerous (inexperienced rabbits might eat a lot of snow, which can lead to digestive illness; being wet and cold can also lead to hypothermia).

Don't bring your rabbit into areas where you think there are toxins (roadside pollution, pesticides, herbicides, etc.).

Parasites: if you bring your rabbit outside and/or you feed your rabbit wild foods (weeds, grasses, etc.), check your rabbit's fur and body for parasites monthly, and have your vet test her feces for parasites annually.

Stress: because rabbits are prey animals, they're susceptible to stress when they feel insecure, and when they're prevented from their natural response to insecurity (to run and hide), serious injury can result, and/or illness can result over time. If you notice your rabbit does not enjoy going for walks or being put in the harness, just don't do it! Instead, treat your rabbit the way he would like to be treated (not the way you'd like to treat him).