Harness for a rabbit: types of leashes and how to make your own hands
A rope harness or a vest for a rabbit is an outfit without which it is better not to take your pet outside. In summer, pets must walk. It is useful for rabbits to run in the sun, eat fresh green grass. Before you go for a walk with a small pet, it is recommended to buy or make a harness yourself. Rabbits are not the kind of animals that can be collared. They only fit the harness.
Can I walk a rabbit on a leash
In the summer, when the street is full of juicy green grass, many rabbit owners want to take their pet for a walk.Walking pets is allowed, but only on a leash. Rabbits, especially decorative ones, are very shy. Any slight noise can cause animals to run wherever their eyes look. It won't be easy to catch them.
It is better to put on a comfortable harness on your pet before going for a walk. Experts do not advise buying rabbits of decorative breeds a leash with a collar. These animals have a thin neck, fragile cervical vertebrae. In a tight collar, a rabbit can suffocate, and too loose a collar can throw it off. But a leash with a harness covering the neck and chest of a small animal is a great purchase for a walk.
If you walk with a decorative rabbit, then only on a green lawn. It’s better not to drive an animal on asph alt, it’s not a dog. Rabbits are very shy, they need silence. A huge number of people can provoke stress in pets. It is advisable to walk animals in sparsely populated places (in the park, in the country, outside the city, in the countryside). You can go outside only in warm sunny weather.When it rains, it's better to stay at home. 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.
Important! You can walk with a rabbit only when it reaches 4 months of age. Before a walk, the pet needs to be vaccinated against myxomatosis and hemorrhagic disease, wait 4 weeks for the animal to get stronger after vaccination.
Types of harnesses for a rabbit
You can buy a ready-made harness for your pet in a pet supply store. This outfit is perfect for walking. Unlike a collar, a harness covers the neck and chest at the same time. It is attached to the leash on the back. There are two types of harnesses for rabbits.
Rope
This is a model consisting of thin woven or leather straps. It covers the neck and front of the body of the animal. The leash for such a rope harness made of thin straps is attached to the jumper in the withers area.When buying, you need to consider the size of the rabbit. If the harness is too loose, the animal may escape during a walk.
With case
This is also a harness, attached to the wiring from above, but more like a vest. This kind of clothing for a walk can have a padding polyester insulation. The harness captures the neck and chest, has holes for the front legs, fastens on the back or on the belly with Velcro or a zipper.
How to choose the right one
It's better to come to the pet store with the 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 body of the rabbit too tight or, conversely, hang loosely on the body of the animal. You can measure the circumference of the pet's neck at the location of the collar and the circumference of the chest behind the front paws at home, and with these results come to the store and choose the equipment of the right size.
Features of accustoming a rabbit to a harness
Before you go for a walk with your beloved pet, it needs to be accustomed to new equipment. After all, at first the rabbit will feel uncomfortable if straps are fastened to its body or a vest is put on the back. The animal should get used to the harness, wear it calmly, not try to break out of the straps or rip off the equipment from itself.
In the beginning, 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 equipment.
After a week, the pet will get used to the harness, and it 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 himself 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 to the side. Always keep the leash in your hand while walking.
How to make DIY rabbit leash
Harness and leash for your favorite animal is easier to buy at the pet store. If desired, equipment for a walk can be made independently. First you need to choose a model: rope, two straps and a jumper, or a one-piece vest.
Materials and tools
For the manufacture of rope models you will need the following materials (optional):
- polyamide belt tape (35-55 mm wide);
- tarpaulin tape;
- leather ribbon;
- leatherette tape;
- 2 buckles (required);
- one spring carabiner with swivel (for attaching a leash);
- thread, scissors, sewing machine.
Materials for sewing a one-piece vest (optional):
- water-repellent membrane fabric;
- dense cotton, synthetic, wool fabric;
- lining quilted fabric on sintepon;
- Velcro fasteners for clothes or zipper;
- spring carabiner with swivel;
- thread, scissors, sewing machine.
Production steps
First determined 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 at any fabric and sewing accessories store.
Measuring
To make a rope model, you will need three quantities:
- neck girth;
- bust (behind front legs);
- distance between the top points of these two values.
To make a vest, you will need three sizes:
- distance from withers to waist;
- neck circumference at the location of the collar;
- chest behind front paws.
Production of elements
Steps of making a rope model:
- according to the measurements taken, three straps are made (10-15 cm are added to each for a margin);
- The buckles are sewn to the straps for the neck and chest and holes are made in them.
Vest manufacturing steps:
- first draw a butterfly pattern on paper;
- take into account the girth of the chest, neck and length from the withers to the waist;
- 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 strap to connect the finished neck strap and chest strap;
- make a loop in the center of the jumper, insert a ring into it;
- a leash is attached to the jumper ring with a spring carabiner.
How to assemble a vest:
- a ring is sewn to the back of the whole model;
- A leash is attached to the ring using a spring carabiner.
How to put on a harness on a pet
Before you put the outfit on a 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 is attached to the chest behind the front legs. After studying the design, you can try to put it on a pet.This will not be easy, because the rabbit is a fidgety and restless animal.
In the beginning, it is recommended to pick up the pet, calm it down, put it on your knees. Then he needs to throw a smaller strap around his neck and fix it so that a finger passes between it and the skin. A larger belt is put on the chest behind the front paws. He, too, should not pull the torso, pinch the skin or hair.
Outfit for walking in the form of a vest is a one-piece design. You need to dress it calmly sitting on your lap rabbit. A vest fastened on the belly is applied to the back and tucked under the bottom. On the stomach fasten with Velcro or fasteners.
If the vest is fastened on the back and has slits for the front paws, they start putting it on from the stomach and paws. In the end, you need to check how the equipment sits on the body of the animal. 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 \u200b\u200bthe croup.
Recommended
Canvas for beehives: what to make, materials and how to make your own hands

From what you can make canvases for hives - what are the canvases (shelves) for, what materials are used, application and DIY, an alternative.
Room for wintering bees: types and how to make your own hands, pluses of use

Determine the types of rooms for wintering bees, analyze their advantages and popular varieties, find out the requirements for construction, how to make a winter house with your own hands.
Harness for a ferret: types and how to dress, making your own hands

How to choose in the store or make your own harness for a ferret. How to train an animal and put on a device for a walk. Ferret walking rules.