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Help - Dog and Rabbit!?
I have an English Pointer. He is great with people and other dogs, has never shown any signs of aggression etc. A friend has just asked me to take their rabbit in - it's a house rabbit and has never been outside. I am assured it is friendly and has lived with a big dog before with no problems. Any advice - my dog is obviously my priority so if there's problems the rabbit will have to go, but is there anything I can do to help them get along? I want to be able to help!
Thanks, the rabbit came and my dog has had a good smell, wagging his tail all the time. I have let the rabbit out - he is in the dining room getting used to the place. I am in the living room with the dog giving him lots of attention - think I am doing the right thing, guess time will tell. I am glad I was able to help.
4 Answers
- Anonymous1 decade agoFavorite Answer
Firstly get a book on rabbit care, this is your main guide to finding out whether you can care for the rabbit financially and that you have time for it.
Be very wary when housing rabbits and dogs together. Make sure your rabbit is always secure and has his own cage and that the dog is kept away from the rabbit when it is out.
Even though the dog and rabbit get on on generally,dogs are natural predators to rabbits and will chase and possibly kill a rabbit. Being a pointer (field dog) this is more of a concern. Although your dog is placid just be very wary that his natural instincts to chase are set as a field dog.
Rabbits on the other hand should have 5 hours exercise a day preferably outside grazing.This is a natural thing. Having rabbits in the house on a permenant basis can be bad for their health as they take in fumes from gas and cooking and household cleaning/detergents and can be pestered by the dog going to the cage all the time.
Even though your rabbit has had no outdoor life letting him out in a large run for 5 hours would do him the world of good.It would be safer if he was caged in a wooden shed at night, in a large hutch away from the dog
Most of all whether the rabbit is house indoors or out, make sure you have time to spend with your rabbit. A dog can take up a lot of time. It is not just a case of going out and feeding the rabbit. It will need handling and sitting with and playing with everyday.It may also need vet visits for innoculations or if it is ill
Source(s): rabbit and greyhound/whippet keeper for 20+ years very knowledgable author of rabbit guide see sale page on my website http://www.freewebs.com/tillysburrows - 1 decade ago
The only thing you can do Is first have this person bring the Rabbit over to the house and see If the dog will get along with and let the dog sniff the rabbit through the cage at first If not then you now and If you do take It and cae for It you will just have to put the rabbit up high so the dog can't get to It
- Anonymous1 decade ago
You should get the rabbit out once every day so that your dog can smell it, after about a week the dog should be used to the rabbits smell then you can start letting the rabbit in any room even on the dogs bed as the dog will recognise its smell.Soon they will be best of friends.
- Anonymous1 decade ago
before you say yes to having this rabbit you should have the rabbit over with the owner to see if they get on and how your dog takes to the rabbit! at the end of the day like you say it was your dogs home first and if his not happy the rabbit will not be able to stay!
good luck with it. i dont really know wot else to say!
