Rabbit Dehydrated?

Question
Last night I went out to feed my kid's rabbits and honestly it may have been 2 days since their last feeding.  My son's rabbit is normally very friendly and active and can't wait to get food. Last night it was moving very slowly and did come out to eat but basically acted like it couldn't stay awake long enough to eat.  I became very concerned and brought the bunny into our house and gave him more food and water.  When I lifted him from his cage he seemed almost limp.  To my pleasant surprise within an hour he was back to being alert, eating and drinking.  Their cages are set up to where they can get away from the cold and I put straw in there for added warmth. I'm feeling really bad because I think the two days he went without food may have made him close to death from starving or dehydration. I know now that everyday I will make sure they have water/food.  I guess not trying to make excuses that since I filled two bowls each of food for them and they each have a big water bottle that they could go longer then a day between feedings/watering.

Thanks in advance for any input.

Answer
Dear Kristy,

I am very glad you were able to save this poor, suffering bunny's life.  And I'm sorry you had to learn the hard way that NO child is responsible enough to be the primary caregiver of a rabbit--especially one housed outdoors where they're too often "out of sight, out of mind."

This is why we NEVER recommend that rabbits be kept outdoors, and strongly urge people NEVER to buy rabbits as pets for children.  Kids get bored with a new pet quickly, and living outdoors is simply not safe for a rabbit.  Not only can they  be forgotten, with horrific results (that you fortunately prevented with your quick action), but they are subject to environmental extremes, predators (raccoons can easily pull a bunny out through the bars and devour a live rabbit bit by bit.  I know of cases where this has happened.

PLEASE bring your bunny inside.  They are intelligent, easy to litterbox train, sensivie, and will live a life of misery if left outside in a boring, small hutch to just languish without love or attention.  If you wouldn't keep a dog or cat that way, then you shouldn't subject a rabbit to that type of life, either.

I'm glad this bunny has a caring mom who's willing to care for him from now on.  For all the best information, please read:

for diet:  www.bio.miami.edu/hare/diet.html

for litterbox training:  www.bio.miami.edu/hare/training.html

for spay/neuter:  www.bio.miami.edu/hare/spay.html

and for a good vet to help you:  www.rabbit.org

Please also go to www.rabbit.org for all the latest, most accurate information on how to properly care for your bunny.  I know you'll never let him get to such a dangerously close to death state again.

I hope this helps.

Dana