Heat Wave: how to keep
your bunnies cool
Shade
Make sure your bunnies are in a shady area of the garden
or house, ie under a tree, or away from a window. Then
you can add items to the exercise area or enclosure to offer
more shade such as a tarpaulin, a towel, or a parasol. Add
some shady items too, like a cardboard box, or a
tunnel. Long term, you might look at planting some shade
for them, such as a fast growing climber.
Although rabbits
originate from hot
climates, they would not
be out in the hot sun, but
in a nice cool burrow
underground. Because
we keep them above
ground we need to help
them keep cool, and
here is how you can do
it.
Be aware of signs of
heat stress

Fast, shallow breathing

Hot ears

Listlessness

Wetness around the
nose area

Stretching head back to
breathe

Breathing rapidly from
open mouth.
If you notice any of these
symptoms on your rabbits
then move them to a cool /
shaded area immediately
and cool them down slowly
by wiping cold water on
their ears and offering them
a cold drink. Never pour
water on your rabbit or
submerge your rabbit in
water.
Seek vet attention immediately
Ventilation
Battery operated
fans can safely be
used and can
attach to an indoor
or outdoor
home. If you do
this make sure
your bunnies can
move away from
the fan if they want
to, and do not
have to sit in the
breeze if they
prefer not.
Keep cool
In the wild rabbits live in underground warrens that are very
cool in summer (and warm in winter) - if you can let your
bunnies safely dig a hole to rest in and away from the heat
this would be perfect. If not, then an earth base to their
enclosure, or big earth filled litter tray, that can be kept
damp to keep cool is second best.
Also offer then something cool to lie next to - an empty pop
bottle filled with water and then frozen is perfect and
inexpensive. Marble or ceramic floor tiles can also be
placed in their enclosure as a cool place to rest.
A plant spray bottle filled with water to gently spray on their
ears is another
good way of helping
them to keep cool.
If they are outside
in a shed, make
sure you can open
the shed door and
let cool air
flow. You will
need to fit a
secondary wire
door to the shed.
A general note
We always advise that an
exercise area is attached to the
hutch / shed for best welfare for
outdoor bunnies. If you have a
separate exercise area it is even
more vital that you make sure
there is shade and cool items
offered for your bunnies, as well
as water.
Water
Make sure your bunnies have plenty of
water to drink and if possible replace it
during the day to make sure it is cool and
not warm. 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 problems.
Sun cream
Many owners apply sun cream to the ears of white rabbits to prevent sun burn. We
recommend that providing shade would be a better preventative. Rabbits are likely to
groom off the sun cream and the risks of sunburn and skin cancer are less in white rabbits than they are in white cats (we have never seen a case of either) . If you are going
to use a sun cream anyway then use the highest protection child safe water resistant
but not zinc oxide total sub block.
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