There are several ways to keep your outdoor bunnies cool in summer, from concrete slabs to damp towels. You can also place ice blocks and litter trays inside their enclosures to keep them cool. A fan may also help. Make sure the fan is placed where it won’t blow directly on your rabbit, and keep the cords away from them. Alternatively, you can put a plastic bottle filled with water inside a pillowcase and leave it in the freezer overnight.
Rabbits are naturally crepuscular creatures, meaning they are most active at dawn and dusk. This means that the hottest time of day is during the middle of the day, and you can take advantage of their cool nature by providing them with a cool place to sleep during hot weather. In addition to using a fan, your rabbit will benefit from brushing their coats and lying in shade during the day.
A rabbit’s hutch or run should be situated in shade. Use shrubs or creepers in the shaded area to protect your bunny from the intense heat. You can also use a shady shed that is well ventilated. Keep an eye on the sun’s position, and try to provide additional shade for your bunny with a rabbit box or tunnel. Another way to keep your bunnies cool in the summer is to close the windows or keep them covered.
When it’s hot outside, the rabbit’s health is at risk of fly strike. Fly flies lay their eggs on your rabbit’s fur. Once these maggots hatch, they start eating your rabbit’s flesh. In as little as 24 hours, your rabbit can die. A fly strike in the summer can lead to severe damage, so take steps to keep your bunnies cool in the summer.
While indoor rabbits don’t suffer from the heat as easily as our pets, rabbits are not tolerant of extreme temperatures and can even die of heat stroke. Keep an eye on your bunny’s health every day to monitor its temperature. Provide a shady area and a shaded room when the temperature reaches a dangerous level. If it doesn’t get cold, you can freeze two liter soda bottles and place them nearby your rabbit’s enclosure.
As much as possible, keep your rabbit in the shade. Rabbits’ ears allow them to regulate their body temperature. When temperatures reach 77 deg. Fahrenheit, they may experience cardiac arrest. Heatstroke is particularly dangerous for old or overweight rabbits. If your rabbit can’t get their temperature under control, seek emergency vet care. Keeping your rabbit cool in the summer will prevent these problems for your rabbit.
How do rabbits cool off?
Mist the rabbit’s ears. Rabbits dissipate heat thru ears and misting them with a squirt bottle will help cool them down.J
What temperature is uncomfortable for rabbits?
The bunny basics For example, a rabbit’s ideal outdoor temperature is between 12° to 21°C (55° to 70°F) and, while your bunnies can tolerate temperatures as high as 30°C (85°F), anything above that can increase their risk of heatstroke.
How do I know if my rabbit is too hot?
– Warm ears and feet. – Increased breathing rate. – Open-mouth breathing. – Not eating. – Dull/unresponsive. – Restless. – Uncoordinated. – Blue-tinged mouth and nose.
How do you cool a rabbit outside?
– Move your rabbits’ hutch out of the sun into a cooler place (this may even be inside) – A fan can be used to keep the air cool and create airflow, however, do not blow the fan directly onto the rabbits and ensure they have enough room to move away if they wish.
How do you know if your bunny has a heat stroke?
– Drooling or salivating. – Panting and taking short shallow breaths. – Overall weakness and lethargy. – Reddening and warmth of the ears. – Wetness around the nose. – Fitting or falling unconscious.
What temperature is too hot for bunnies?
85°F
Can bunnies overheat?
Rabbits, in contrast, can neither sweat nor pant. When combined with their thick fur coat, this puts them at risk of overheating. Also known as ‘hyperthermia’, overheating in rabbits is much easier to prevent than to treat. But if hyperthermia does occur, it requires urgent veterinary attention.
How hot does it have to be for a bunny to overheat?
85 degrees Fahrenheit
How do I keep my rabbit cool in the summer?
– Make sure your rabbit’s hutch and play area are in the shade. For indoor rabbits, position your rabbit’s cage away from direct sunlight. … – Give your bunnies a trim. … – Fill large 2 liter soda bottles with water and freeze them. … – Give your bunnies cool ceramic tiles to lay on.
What happens if a rabbit gets hot?
Heatstroke happens when our pets get too hot; this causes their bodies to struggle and it can be fatal to them. It happens when a rabbit’s internal body temperature gets too high and becomes dangerous. Heatstroke is an emergency situation.
What happens if a rabbit overheats?
It can lead to a condition called heat stroke, which can be fatal. Rabbits can overheat whether they live indoors or outdoors. And humans can withstand temperatures over 10 degrees higher than rabbits can. So even if you feel OK, your rabbit might not.J
What temperature is too hot for rabbits?
85°F
Can rabbits have ice cubes?
Offer a bottle and a solid ceramic bowl – rabbits can get a bigger drink out of a bowl. Check the spout of the water bottle daily to make sure it is working properly. We do not advise giving them frozen treats or ice cubes because they can cause intestinal prob- lems.
How do I know if my bunny is overheated?
– Warm ears and feet. – Increased breathing rate. – Open-mouth breathing. – Not eating. – Dull/unresponsive. – Restless. – Uncoordinated. – Blue-tinged mouth and nose.
How hot is too hot for rabbits?
85°F
