How to keep her happy during the winter?

Unfortunity, my dog has become unhappy with my rabbit lately and she's been moved outside. Now that it's getting cold, I'm dreading the day when I'm going to have to fully confine her to her hutch. Normally she has full access to the run outside of her cage but I don't think I should let her out when there's three foot of snow on the ground.

Would I be able to shovel and area off for her once in a while (maybe once or twice a week) outside in her run for her to hop around in under supervision? Or could I bring her inside? Would she be uncomfortable going from freezing temperatures to a warm house?

She's been out since the snow began to melt this spring. She has straw in her cage and I'm changing her water three times a day to keep it from freezing. She has unlimited hay and pellets for now, and large portions of veggies as well.

What do you think? Other than bringing her in full time (I would if I could, trust me) what would you do?

I wouldn't recommend bringing her inside when she is used to cold outside temps. She would be uncomfortably warm. Do you have a garage, shed, barn or covered porch where you could put an exercise pen and let her run around? My bunnies live outside and unfortunately don't get out of their hutches much in the winter. I worry that if they get snow on them, they'll get wet and then get chilled. I usually wait for dry weather and then let them out on my deck in their exercise pens. Their hutches are pretty big though so they've done okay for the past 2 winters.

Why don't you leave the dog outside instead. Nice heated doghouse, perfect!

TurtleShark said:

Unfortunity, my dog has become unhappy with my rabbit lately and she's been moved outside. Now that it's getting cold, I'm dreading the day when I'm going to have to fully confine her to her hutch. Normally she has full access to the run outside of her cage but I don't think I should let her out when there's three foot of snow on the ground.

Would I be able to shovel and area off for her once in a while (maybe once or twice a week) outside in her run for her to hop around in under supervision? Or could I bring her inside? Would she be uncomfortable going from freezing temperatures to a warm house?

She's been out since the snow began to melt this spring. She has straw in her cage and I'm changing her water three times a day to keep it from freezing. She has unlimited hay and pellets for now, and large portions of veggies as well.

What do you think? Other than bringing her in full time (I would if I could, trust me) what would you do?

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No you definitely do not want to confine her to the cage all winter. You just have to make sure that your rabbit needs to have plenty of bedding (fleece, straw, other bedding). At night when it's under zero degrees I bring them into our garage. This gets rid of the wind chill and it is a few degrees warmer, but not so much warmer that the change would be to much for them to adjust easily too. Sometimes they even go sled riding with us😝

My rabbits actually really enjoy playing in the snow. I will bring a thick towel out with us and they will hop around and dig into the drifts and ice. Every so often I pick them up and dry them off in the towel and then their off again. They get plenty of exercise that way. My rabbits also let me know when they want to come in (if your rabbit doesn't let you know I would take them in after about 10-15 minutes (give or take) depending on how cold it is outside. As you said, you can most likely shovel out snow for a spot for her.

Don't dread anything! It will be fine- just keep taking care of her as you have been. She should still be able to get plenty of exercise. Good luck!!

Alright, thanks everyone. And there's no way I'd leave the dog outside. She'd bark all day long. She's never been out more than 30 minutes and always barks to let us know she wants in.

I do have a shed that I can move her into when it gets real cold out. I'm planning on moving her in a more sheltered area to keep out the wind.

My rabbits live in the house. My previous old rabbit was perfect with her little box manners, she lived just a little less than 12 years. My two Flemish babies (3 1/2 months old) are pretty good with the litter boxes.

My opinion, is that making your rabbit live outside in the Canadian winter is to much. Just my opinion.