Rabbits are one of the most lovable pets. They are insanely cute and lovable creatures, and as time passes, they are gaining more popularity and love. So, if you are thinking of getting a pet bunny, you might have many questions on your mind and want detailed answers to them, right?
You must have seen people walking their dogs or cats on the streets and there must be a harness or a collar hanging around their neck. After that, a thought must have captured your brain.
Should you take your bunny on a walk by a leash? Do they like to be collared? What if they run away? The answer to the main question is no, you shouldn’t collar your rabbit as it can be potentially dangerous for them.
If you want to know the reasons as to why it could be dangerous and want to ride the “bus your answers”, my friend, you have come to the right “stop”!
Can Bunnies Wear Collars?
Bunnies are very playful and curious mammals. If you leave them in one wide-free space, they will roam around all the time. For the sake of their curiosity, they will search every single thing. They mostly live inside and can easily spend their entire life indoors.
But it was found in a study that it is very beneficial for your rabbit to go outside in the fresh air and under the warm sunlight. It is not only good for their bones and health but also their mental health.
Now the question is, can they wear collars while roaming outside? The answer to this is a straight “NO!”!
You might put your rabbit on a collar, but you should not. It is very terrifying and you are putting that little soft creature at immense risk. They might feel uncomfortable and try to remove it, which can lead to many injuries or even broken bones.
You don’t want to make your fragile pet suffer all this just because you want to put a leash on your rabbit, right?
Can A Rabbit Walk On A Leash?
It is actually very beneficial for domestic bunnies to walk and exercise outside to remain happy and healthy.
They will find it a little difficult to adjust to different environments, that is, a warm environment inside and a cold environment outside, or vice versa, and after that, if you put them in a collar or on a leash, how do you suppose they will exercise freely or even be comfortable?
They are different from pet dogs or cats. They need guided walks, but rabbits don’t. They like to do whatever they want or find joy in. You will notice that your rabbit is jumping or hopping around happily without any guidance.
According to their instincts, they should have two separate spaces: one for their cage or hole to live in, and another for them to freely hop around or exercise, which could be your apartment, or the backyard or lawn.
So, this might clear your doubt that it is not necessary for your rabbit to be collared or be on a leash for them to exercise or for a daily walk.
How To Put A Harness On A Rabbit?
This idea of putting your bunny on a leash or a harness must have come into your mind by looking at a dog, isn’t it?
But you should know the fact that harnesses for a dog and for a rabbit are very different. They are different fits and the way you use them is different for different animals.
If you put your dog on a harness, it is because you want to control it and want to lead or guide its way, but in the case of a rabbit on a harness, it is different.
You put it on because of safety. They don’t need or want anyone to guide them. The harness helps them to explore outside safely without them running away.
First of all, don’t try to make them wear a harness suddenly. In addition, put the harness between your rabbit and let them chew on it or play with it.
After that, pick a time when your bunny is calm and comfortable, lay it across your rabbit’s body, and tell them that it is not a thing to be scared of.
Well, it will take a long time to make any rabbit comfortable around that “alien object.”
And when you notice that your furry friend is now calm and ignoring the lying object, you can simply slip it around their neck, but remember that it is not the right time to buckle yet!
Note down their reactions. If they panic, it’s a red flag-time to remove the harness. You can try it out later.
Once your little buddy is happy to wear that unbuckled harness, try to buckle it!
Is It Safe To Put A Rabbit On A Leash?
When you put your rabbit on a leash or a harness, the first thing you need to make sure of is its safety!
Now, to answer the raised question, yes, keep in mind that the harness is the right fit and you know exactly how to use it.
Neck collars are dangerous and should never be used. Also, ignore any sort of harness that tightens around their neck, making them susceptible to fractures in their neck.
Rabbits have delicate necks and spines, and they like to hop around with their fast and unpredictable movements, so with the wrong equipment, you might cause a big disaster.
Everyone is well aware that rabbits are prey animals, so they might get easily scared of new or alien objects. You will notice this when you introduce them to the harness or leash.
So, it is best to first make them comfortable so that you don’t make them frightened, and at least they can try again later sometimes.
Putting your bunny on a harness or a leash requires time, patience, and gentleness.
Do Bunnies Like To Be On A Leash?
Bunnies are easy-going, free-living animals. They are known to be social and happy-hopping small creatures. But that doesn’t mean they can get comfortable easily.
Once you start taking your domestic rabbit outside, you will notice that they find it very difficult to adapt to the sudden change in environment. So now you think that you need to put a leash on them. So how will they calmly just wear the harness and walk around happily?
So, no, not all rabbits like to be on a leash. They don’t want you to guide them in the field for a simple walk or a difficult exercise. They like to do things in their own way.
Don’t forget that they are prey animals, which makes them very fearful of new things. Give them time to be comfortable around the harness and let them choose the right time to make them wear that thing.
Never force them to wear one, because not only might this result in injuries, but also they will develop a fear of harnesses and might never wear them again.
Can You Leave a Harness Or Collar on a Rabbit?
A harness is way safer than a collar for rabbits. A harness creates an even distribution of weight throughout the bunny’s body. There will be a lesser chance of causing injury.
But in the case of collars, they often cause bone fractures or cause choking if they get tightened. You can’t leave your rabbit on a collar. They require a human attendant.
If not, it might turn into a sequence of bad events such as they might run away, getting lost, getting tangled in the bushes which might cause them to choke, and, them getting attacked by predators.
So, on collars, you always have to keep them under supervision. While in the harness, they are a lot safer and give them the opportunity to explore more things.
What Is Preferred For Your Rabbit? Harness or Collar?
For starters, they can both cause stress and injury to your rabbit. But if you want to take your rabbit for a walk, it is best to keep them on a leash or in a harness.
The H style harness is the most commonly used rabbit harness. They give their bodies a perfect fit. They fit around their neck and chest and also a large area of their belly.
So, if you restrain your bunny, it won’t cause much force over his thin neck and the chances of injury will be very small.
In other cases, collars are usually not recommended for rabbits, keeping in mind that they have sensitive necks and thin bones and the single collar might cause them discomfort and injury.
And have you thought about what would happen if they got stuck somewhere while playing outside? This could be the biggest reason for their severe injuries.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Type Of Harness Is Best For A Rabbit?
Not only dogs, but you can also take your rabbit on a walk, which needs to have the right equipment to do so, which results in choosing the right and safest harness for your rabbit. First, you need to make sure that whatever you provide them, they are comfortable with it and that it is also safe around their neck to avoid injuries or even worse, choking. So, to make this task easier, we have chosen a handful of the safest harnesses for rabbits:
Niteangel Adjustable Soft Harness
Calunce Soft Rabbit Harness.
Kaytee Comfort Harness & Stretchy Leash
Trixie Pet Products Soft Harness with Leash-Nylon
Harness for Pettom Bunny
Persuper Soft Nylon Rabbit Harness.
Hypeety Bunny Harness
How Tight Should a Harness Be On A Rabbit?
It is a fact that most owners use a harness on rabbits for their safety, not to guide or control them. So, if that equipment is for their safety, try not to make them the reason for their serious injury. The harness on your bunny needs to be tightened enough that it can’t wriggle out of it. Ideally, a harness should be tight enough for you to slip at least two fingers between the fabric and your rabbit’s skin. They should be comfortable in it, as you took them out of their “rabbit hole” to explore the world outside!
Conclusion
Finally, you took your bunny out for them to exercise and have more fun. You saw a dog owner walking their pet, but what caught your attention was the collar around its neck, which made you think that you could put your rabbit on a collar or a harness, not to control it, but to keep it safe.
But soon after, you realize that there are different harnesses for a dog and a rabbit. And it is definitely not a simple task to make your soft-furry friend comfortable around the harness. They might also cause themselves injuries, so you need to choose the right fit for them.
It is not bad to take your rabbit out wearing a harness until and unless you take precautions and remember the purpose of taking them out, that is, to have fun and explore more!
