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Is it ok for my rabbit to sleep outside at night?

22 11:27:33

Question
My rabbit refuses to stay in a confined space. She'll make alot of noise, and keep our family awake. I thought she might enjoy staying outside at night, but I don't know if it's healthy for her. Our back-yard is 100% safe, and has alot of grass. I just need to know if she can stand the cold. It is usually around 30-50 degress Fahrenheit at night

Answer
Dear Ashley,

The temperature isn't as much of a concern as the safety.  I wouldn't leave her out if it gets below 45 Farenheit, though.  Frostbite can happen if she doesn't have proper shelter from the elements.

But there's really no such thing as a back yard that is 100% safe unless it has concrete footers all under the fence, a fence at least 10 feet high with predator excluders (foxes and cats can jump a six foot fence with ease; raccoons can go even higher, and would have no qualms about attacking your bunny), and a complete cover (predatory birds such as hawks and owls are present even in the most suburban areas).  A rabbit is just not safe outside alone at night.

Rabbits are more active at dawn, dusk, and even at night than during the day, which is "sleepytime."  So it's not surprising that she'd want to be active at night.  She might also be rambunctious because of hormones or boredom.  Is she spayed?  If not, this will help calm her, and also allow you to let her choose a neutered mate from among those at your local rabbit rescuer's foster home.  A bonded, happy bunny is more content and less likely to rattle the family at night, if she has someone to play with.

If the house is bunny-proofed, she might be allowed to run free at night, and that way she won't cause noise.  All our rabbits are completely free range in the house, and they entertain themselves at all hours without any problems.

Hope that helps!  Please write back if you have more questions.

Dana