How to Make Your Rabbit a Leash

Rabbits are too fast and dig too well to safely take outside without risking losing them. So if you do want to let your pet rabbit experience the great outdoors, you’ll need to keep him on a leash. That means you’ll also need a harness to attach the leash to. There are three kinds of harness – figure-eight, figure-H, and vest – and they are all relatively simple to make.

Method 1

Method 1 of 4:

Making a Leash and Harnessing your Rabbit

Download Article

1
Use a harness, never a collar. A collar risks strangling your rabbit or breaking its neck. Instead, use a figure-eight, figure-H, or vest harness.^{[1]XResearch source} If you do not wish to purchase a harness, you can make your own.
- Figure-Eight Harness – This type of harness has two loops, one that fits behind the front legs and another that goes around the neck. The leash attaches where the two loops come together at the withers (the base of the neck above the shoulders).
- Figure-H Harness – This harness has two loops like a figure-eight, but instead of the loops being directly connected, they are linked by a separate piece of material such as a nylon strap.
- Vest – A fitted fabric vest that fastens around the neck and belly with Velcro, buttons, or zippers, and which has a ring at the back to attach a leash.
You should be able to fit two fingers between the harness and your rabbit’s body at all points. Any looser than that, and your rabbit may wiggle free.^{[2]XResearch source}
Advertisement
3
Make and attach a leash. Once you have made the harness, the leash is the easy part. If you are using a long piece of rope to build a figure-eight harness, then the rope from the harness can also serve as the lease. Otherwise, you can make your own by taking a piece of rope and adding a handle and snap hook.
- Make a loop for a handle at one end. Secure it with rope clamps or by tying a bowline knot.
- Attach the other end of the rope to a snap hook. You can attack it with rope clamps or tie it with a knot such as a davy knot.

Method 2

Method 2 of 4:

Making a Figure-Eight Harness

Download Article

1
Make a harness with only a piece of rope. You will use the rope for both the harness and the leash, so you want it to be at least 8” long. Any material will do so long as you avoid rough, abrasive ropes that might irritate your rabbit’s skin.^{[3]XResearch source}
- Fold the rope so that you have two unequal lengths, one about 6 feet and the other two feet.
- Loop the center of the fold under the bunny’s neck.
- Cross the two sides over the bunny’s back between his shoulders and run the shorter around his chest just behind his legs and back up to meet the other side of the rope.
- Tie a slip knot where the two ropes meet. This will allow you to adjust the harness when taking it off and putting it back on.
2
Use a slip lead to make a harness. A slip lead is a length of rope with a handle at one end, and a ring at the other. They cost as little as $10 and can be used to make a quick figure 8 harness and leash.^{[4]XResearch source}
- Pass the handle through the ring to make a loop.
- Loop the handle back through the ring a second time to make another loop.
- Place the looser loop around the rabbit’s chest behind his front legs and the other loop around the neck, with the ring on top between the shoulders.
- Use the excess rope as a leash, or if you are using a smaller lead, attach a leash to the loose end of the lead.
If you want to make your own leash, simply take a length of rope and tie off or clamp one end to make a handle. Tie the other end to a snap hook that you can attach to the ring on the harness.

Method 3

Method 3 of 4:

Making a Figure-H Harness

Download Article

1
Start with three nylon cat collars. You can purchase adjustable collars for under $5 a piece. You’ll need three different sizes:^{[5]XResearch source}
- A collar that fits your rabbit’s neck.
- One that fits around his chest just behind his front legs.
- A long collar that will be used as the connecting piece.
Be sure to leave the leash attachment ring intact so that you will have a place for the lease to attach.
Put the collars around your bunny’s neck and chest. Lay the third collar along his back between his shoulder blades, with the ring for the leash in the middle, and mark the points where the third collar overlaps the far side of the other two collars.
Fold each end of the connecting piece over just past the point where you marked it. Sew the folded over ends so that you create loops at each end.^{[6]XResearch source}
Once you have passed the collars through the loops on the connecting piece, your figure-H harness is ready to use.

Method 4

Method 4 of 4:

Making a Vest Harness

Download Article

The easiest way to make a vest is to take clothes that fit your rabbit and to sew a metal loop onto the back between the shoulder blades. Make sure the metal loop is solid and well attached, so that it will not break or break off.^{[7]XResearch source}
Bunny patterns can be a bit hard to find, but you can use patterns for cats as a substitute. Use a string to measure your bunny at his neck, chest behind his front legs, and a few inches further back on his torso to make sure you get a pattern that will fit your pet. When finished with the vest, sew a ring on the back to attach the leash.
3
Make a vest from scratch. Again, you will need to take measurements at your bunny’s neck, chest behind the legs, and a few inches further back on his torso. You can then start with a piece of breathable, flexible cloth.^{[8]XResearch source}
- Cut the cloth to the appropriate dimensions. You’ll want to leave a little extra fabric for attachments. If the vest will attach with Velcro or buttons, the two sides will need to overlap completely.
- Wrap the cut cloth around your bunny, and mark where his legs are.
- Cut out holes for the legs.
- Reinforce all edges of the fabric, including the leg holes, by folding the fabric over and sewing it down.
- Attach Velcro, clasps, buttons, or zippers.
- Sew a ring onto the top of the vest between your bunny’s shoulders.

Community Q&A

Search

Add New Question

Question
Are there certain bunnies that can't wear harnesses?
Community Answer
Nope, every bunny can wear a harness. Just get the correct size and make sure your bunny is comfortable and doesn't look unhappy.
Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If How.com.vn has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission.Support How.com.vn
Yes No
Not Helpful 6 Helpful 21
Question
Can I use a little kid's shirt?
WikiHowUser20180422035353
Community Answer
Yes, but you still want to modify it so it fits your rabbit snugly. Make sure it is tough enough, too, or your rabbit might chew through it. Do not try to use a rabbit leash unless your rabbit is very comfortable with you.
Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If How.com.vn has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission.Support How.com.vn
Yes No
Not Helpful 4 Helpful 23
Question
Can I use a small dog harness?
Community Answer
Yes, a small dog harness is fine as long as it is neither too tight nor too loose for your rabbit.
Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If How.com.vn has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission.Support How.com.vn
Yes No
Not Helpful 4 Helpful 22