Types of harnesses for rabbits and how to make it yourself, how to walk
A rope harness or a rabbit vest is a piece of equipment you shouldn't take your pet outside without. In the summer, pets must go for a walk. It is good for rabbits to run in the sun and eat fresh green grass. Before you go out with your little pet for a walk, it is recommended to buy or make a harness yourself. Rabbits are not animals that can be collared. Only a harness fits them.
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 minor noise can cause animals to run wherever they look. Catching them won't be easy.
It is better to put on a comfortable harness on your pet before walking. Experts advise against buying a leash with a collar for decorative rabbits. These animals have a thin neck, fragile cervical vertebrae. In a tight collar, a rabbit can suffocate, and too loose can throw it off. But a leash with a harness covering the neck and chest of a small animal is an excellent purchase for a walk.
If you walk with a decorative rabbit, then only on a green lawn. It is better not to drive the animal on the asphalt, it is not a dog. Rabbits are very shy, they need silence. A large number of people can provoke stress in pets. It is advisable to walk the animals in uncrowded places (in the park, in the country, outside the city, in the countryside). You can go outside only in warm sunny weather. It's better to stay at home in the rain. Rabbits are not allowed to eat wet grass. Dry - you can, but you need to make sure that the animal does not eat poisonous plants.
Types of harnesses for a rabbit
You can buy a ready-made harness for your pet at a pet store. Such equipment is perfect for walking. 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 the front of the animal's body.A leash for such a rope harness made of thin straps is attached to the bridge at the withers. When buying, you need to consider the size of the rabbit. An animal can break out of a harness that is too loose during a walk.
With body
This is also a harness attached to the top of the wiring, but more like a vest. This kind of clothing for walking may have a padding polyester insulation. The harness captures the neck and chest, has holes for the front legs, fastens on the back or belly with Velcro or zippers.
How to choose the right one
It is better to come to the pet store with the rabbit and try on the harness. You can bring your pet in a carry bag or in a lightweight plastic container. If it is not possible to come to the store with your beloved animal, you can buy a harness without it. The main thing is to choose a product of the right size.
The straps should not overtighten the body of the rabbit or, conversely, dangle freely on the body of the animal. You can measure the girth of the 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 right size outfit.
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 the straps to its body or put on a vest on the back. The animal should get used to the harness, wear it calmly, not try to pull out of the harness or rip off the equipment from itself.
It is first worn off a leash. For the first time, a decorative rabbit can be left in a new dress 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 you can take it for a walk. On the street, it is advisable to carry a small rabbit on your hands or in a carrier to a meadow or meadow with grass.
When the pet is on the ground, he needs to be given freedom of action. It is forbidden to pull the decorative rabbit by the leash, he must walk where he wants. In case of danger, it is recommended to take the animal in your arms or gently take it aside. Always hold the leash in your hand while walking.
How to make a do-it-yourself rabbit leash
It is easier to buy a harness and a leash for your favorite animal at a pet store. If desired, you can make your own equipment for walking. First, you need to choose a model: rope, from two straps and a lintel, 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);
- threads, scissors, sewing machine.
Materials for sewing a one-piece vest (optional):
- water-repellent membrane fabric;
- thick cotton, synthetic, woolen fabric;
- lining quilted fabric on synthetic winterizer;
- Velcro or zip fasteners;
- spring carabiner with swivel;
- threads, scissors, sewing machine.
Manufacturing steps
First defined with the model. You can sew a one-piece vest or make a rope structure consisting of two straps and a jumper. The next step is taking measurements. Having data on the girth of the neck, 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 are bought in any store of fabrics and sewing accessories.
Taking measurements
To make a rope model, you need three quantities:
- girth of the neck;
- chest girth (behind the front legs);
- the distance between the tops of these two quantities.
To make a vest, you need three sizes:
- distance from withers to loins;
- neck girth at the location of the collar;
- girth of the chest behind the front legs.
Manufacturing of elements
Stages of making a rope model:
- according to the measurements taken, three straps are made (10-15 cm are added to each for the stock);
- buckles are sewn to the straps for the neck and chest and holes are made in them.
Stages of making a vest:
- first, a butterfly pattern is drawn on paper;
- take into account the girth of the chest, neck and length from the withers to the waist;
- the drawing is transferred to the material;
- cut out the fabric;
- sew on insulation (optional);
- Velcro is sewn to the ends of the model.
Assembly
How to assemble a rope model:
- with the help of another jumper strap, they connect the finished neck strap and the chest strap;
- a loop is made in the center of the jumper, a ring is inserted into it;
- a leash is attached to the ring of the jumpers using a spring carabiner.
How to assemble a vest:
- a ring is sewn to the back of a one-piece model;
- a leash is attached to the ring using a spring carabiner.
How to properly put on a harness on a pet
Before putting equipment on a rabbit, you need to understand the structure, 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 strap to the chest behind the forelegs. After examining the design, you can try to put it on your pet. It will not be easy to do this, because the rabbit is a fidgety and restless animal.
At first, it is recommended to take the pet in your arms, calm it down, and put it on your knees. Then he needs to put a smaller strap on his neck and fix it so that a finger passes between it and the skin. The larger strap is placed over the chest behind the front legs. He also should not overtighten the body, pinch the skin or wool.
The vest walking gear is a one-piece construction. You need to dress it for a rabbit sitting quietly on your lap. The vest, fastened on the belly, is applied to the back and tucked under the bottom. Fasten on the belly with Velcro or fasteners.
If the vest is fastened on the back and has slots for the front paws, start to put it on from the abdomen and legs. At the end, you need to check how the equipment sits on the animal's body. The vest should not squeeze the body or, on the contrary, hang on the body. A leash is attached to the harness worn on the rabbit at the top, in the region of the croup.
