How to Keep Rabbits Cool in Hot Weather

Did you know that rabbits don’t have the ability to sweat or pant to bring down their body temperature? This means it’s harder for them to cool themselves down and is the main reason rabbits are in more danger of experiencing heat stroke than people. These summer months can get unbearably hot and heat stroke can be fatal for your bunny, so we’ve put together some tips on how to keep rabbits cool in hot weather.

Do you know the signs to look out for?

• Stretched out or limp bunny, usually with their feet sprawled outwards • Confused and drowsy • Dribbling • Panting or laboured breath • Tongue hanging out • Decrease in eating habits (if your rabbit goes more than six hours without eating you need to seek out a vet) If you believe that your bunny shows the symptoms it is crucial that you take it to a veterinarian or an emergency clinic immediately. These next few steps can help you both prevent and lay off the chances of your bunny developing heat stroke or becoming overheated.

Shade

Direct sunlight will cause your bunny to overheat. It is essential that your bunny rabbit has some shade and a cool space to lie in. A rabbit run is ideal for hot weather as it lets your bunny enjoy the sun but still has plenty of shade for when it starts to get a little bit too hot. If you can it would benefit your bunny much more to bring it indoors; people’s homes tend to be much cooler than hutches.

Frozen Water Bottles

Make sure to keep some bottles half-filled with water in the freezer. If you wrap a frozen water bottle in a towel/cloth and place it in you rabbit’s hutch it provides a cool atmosphere for your bunny to lie next to. Not only does this help cool them down it can also help them stay hydrated as many rabbits enjoy licking the condensation from the bottle.

Grooming

Having excess hair can make things extremely heated for your bunny rabbit. Grooming your bunny with a rabbit comb or brush once a day should keep your rabbit from becoming too uncomfortable in his fur.

Water & Ice

A good way to keep your bunny cool is to put one or two ice cubes in their water bottle. This keeps the water at a cool temperature and makes the water more appealing to the bunny. If the ice cubes don’t fit in your water bottle consider either cutting the ice down or switching your water bottle out for a bowl of water. A ceramic bowl would be more convenient than a water bottle because it keeps the water cool longer and gives the bunny the option of being able to lick the ice. Giving your rabbit plenty of vegetables can also help to keep them hydrated. A simple way to keep your bunny cool is to mist their ears with a water-filled spray bottle so that they are slightly damp, not wet. Do not give your bunny a bath in these circumstances because this can cause them to panic and can be fatal.

Cooling Toys

There are many cooling toys on the market which help to bring down your pet’s temperature, but an especially useful one for rabbits is a cooling mat. Although most are branded for dogs, cooling mats are great to put into your rabbit’s hutch and allow them to lie down on something cool.]]>