A rope harness or vest for a rabbit is equipment without which it is better not to take your pet outside. In summer, pets should definitely go for walks. Rabbits benefit from running in the sun and eating fresh green grass. Before you go for a walk with your small pet, it is recommended to buy or make a harness yourself. Rabbits are not animals that can be collared. Only a harness suits them.
- Is it possible to walk a rabbit on a leash?
- Types of rabbit harnesses
- Rope
- With housing
- How to choose the right one
- Features of training a rabbit to a harness
- How to make a leash for a rabbit with your own hands
- Materials and tools
- Manufacturing stages
- Taking measurements
- Manufacturing of elements
- Assembly
- How to properly put a harness on a pet
Is it possible to walk a rabbit on a leash?
In the summer, when the street is full of lush green grass, many rabbit owners want to take their pet for a walk. You can walk pets, but only on a leash. Rabbits, especially decorative ones, are very shy. Any slight noise can cause animals to run away. It won't be easy to catch them.
It is better to put a comfortable harness on your pet before going for a walk. Experts do not recommend buying a leash with a collar for decorative breed rabbits. These animals have a thin neck and fragile cervical vertebrae. A collar that is too tight can cause the rabbit to choke, but a collar that is too loose can throw it off. But a leash with a harness that covers the neck and chest of a small animal is an excellent purchase for a walk.
If you go for a walk with a decorative rabbit, then only on a green lawn. It’s better not to drive an animal on asphalt; it’s not a dog. Rabbits are very shy and need silence. A huge number of people can cause stress in pets. It is advisable to walk animals in uncrowded places (in a park, in a country house, outside the city, in rural areas). You can only go outside in warm sunny weather. It's better to stay home when it rains. Rabbits are not allowed to eat wet grass. Dry is possible, but you need to make sure that the animal does not eat poisonous plants.
Types of rabbit harnesses
You can buy a ready-made harness for your pet at a pet supply store. This outfit is perfect for a walk. Unlike a collar, a harness covers both the neck and chest.It is attached to the leash on the back. There are two types of rabbit harnesses.
Rope
This is a model consisting of thin woven or leather belts. It covers the neck and front of the animal's body. The leash for such a rope harness made of thin straps is attached to the jumper in the area of the withers. When purchasing, you need to consider the size of the rabbit. An animal may break out of a harness that is too loose during a walk.
With housing
This is also a harness, attached to the wiring at the top, but more like a vest. This unique clothing for walking can have padding polyester insulation. The harness covers the neck and chest, has holes for the front legs, and is fastened on the back or belly with Velcro or a zipper.
How to choose the right one
It is better to come to the pet store with your rabbit and try on the harness. You can bring your pet in a carrier bag or a lightweight plastic container. If it is not possible to come to the store with your favorite animal, you can buy a harness without it. The main thing is to choose a product of the right size.
The straps should not pull the rabbit's body too tightly or, conversely, hang loosely on the animal's body. You can measure the girth of your pet’s neck at the location of the collar and the girth of the chest behind the front legs at home, and with these results come to the store and choose the equipment of the right size.
Features of training a rabbit to a harness
Before you go out with your beloved pet for a walk, you need to accustom him to new equipment. After all, at first the rabbit will feel uncomfortable if you fasten straps to its body or put a vest on its back. The animal must get used to the harness, wear it calmly, and not try to break out of the harness or tear off the equipment.
At first it is put on without a leash. For the first time, a decorative rabbit can be left in a new thing for a few minutes. On the second day, it is recommended to increase the time spent in the equipment.
After a week, the pet will get used to the harness and can be taken out for a walk. On the street, it is advisable to carry a small rabbit in your arms or in a carrier to a meadow or clearing with grass.
When the pet finds itself on the ground, it needs to be given freedom of action. It is forbidden to pull a decorative rabbit by the leash; it must walk where it wants. In case of danger, it is recommended to pick up the animal or gently move it to the side. You should always keep the leash in your hand while walking.
How to make a leash for a rabbit with your own hands
It’s easier to buy a harness and leash for your favorite animal at a pet store. If desired, you can make your own equipment for the walk. First you need to choose a model: a rope model, consisting of two straps and a jumper, or a one-piece vest.
Materials and tools
To make rope models you will need the following materials (optional):
- polyamide belt tape (35-55 mm wide);
- tarpaulin tape;
- leather tape;
- leatherette tape;
- 2 buckles (required);
- one spring carabiner with a swivel (for attaching a leash);
- thread, scissors, sewing machine.
Materials for sewing a one-piece vest (optional):
- water-repellent membrane fabric;
- thick cotton, synthetic, wool fabric;
- lining quilted fabric on padding polyester;
- Velcro fasteners for clothing or zippers;
- spring carabiner with swivel;
- thread, scissors, sewing machine.
Manufacturing stages
First, they decide on the model.You can sew a one-piece vest or make a rope structure consisting of two straps and a jumper. The next stage is taking measurements. Having data on the girth of the neck and chest, you need to make a pattern on paper. Based on the pattern, you can calculate the required amount of material.
You can sew a harness for an animal without a sewing machine. Materials can be purchased at any fabric and sewing accessories store.
Taking measurements
To make a rope model, you will need three quantities:
- neck girth;
- chest circumference (behind the front legs);
- the distance between the highest points of these two quantities.
To make a vest you will need three sizes:
- distance from withers to lower back;
- neck circumference at the location of the collar;
- chest circumference behind the front legs.
Manufacturing of elements
Stages of making a rope model:
- according to the measurements taken, three straps are made (add 10-15 cm to each for reserve);
- Buckles are sewn to the neck and chest straps and holes are made in them.
Stages of making a vest:
- first, a pattern in the shape of a butterfly is drawn on paper;
- take into account the girth of the chest, neck and length from the withers to the lower back;
- the drawing is transferred to the material;
- cut the fabric;
- sew insulation (optional);
- Velcro is sewn to the ends of the model.
Assembly
How to assemble a rope model:
- using another jumper strap, the finished neck strap is connected to the chest strap;
- a loop is made in the center of the jumper and a ring is inserted into it;
- A leash is attached to the jumper ring using a spring carabiner.
How to assemble a vest:
- a ring is sewn to the back of the solid model;
- The leash is attached to the ring using a spring carabiner.
How to properly put a harness on a pet
Before you put the equipment on your rabbit, you need to understand the design, understand how it is attached and what it consists of. The rope model has two straps. The smaller strap is attached to the neck, the larger one to the chest behind the front legs. After studying the design, you can try putting it on your pet. This will not be easy to do, because the rabbit is a fidgety and restless animal.
First, it is recommended to pick up the pet, calm it down, and sit it on your lap. Then a smaller strap needs to be placed around his neck and secured so that a finger can pass between it and the skin. The larger strap is placed on the chest behind the front paws. It should also not overtighten the body or pinch the skin or fur.
Walking equipment in the form of a vest is a one-piece design. You need to put it on when the rabbit is sitting calmly on your lap. The vest, fastened on the belly, is applied to the back and tucked under the bottom. It is fastened on the stomach using Velcro or fasteners.
If the vest is attached to the back and has slots for the front paws, start putting it on from the stomach and paws. Finally, you need to check how the equipment fits on the animal’s body. The vest should not squeeze the body or, conversely, dangle on the body. A leash is attached to the harness worn on the rabbit at the top, in the area of the croup.
