Keeping our Rabbits Cool in the Summer
Rabbits have a very difficult time with heat. The optimal temperature for a rabbit is between 50-70 degrees. Heat can be very stressful for them. Anything above 85 degrees becomes very difficult for them. They can become overheated easily with temperatures above 90 degrees, which can cause death. They are able to handle cooler weather, much better than the heat. Each rabbit will tolerate heat differently, so it is important to watch them each day, usually several times a day to be sure they are doing okay. Rabbits five years of age or older, rabbits that are overweight, have thick long coats, or have some kind of health problem tend to have more difficulty in the heat. Temperature, humidity, and air ventilation are all factors.
It is difficult for rabbits to breathe in the humid temperatures
Prevention is key. Once a rabbit is suffering heat stroke, there isn't a lot you can do to help him or her. It is much better to prevent it from happening.
Sometimes rabbits are okay for a couple of days, but, by the third day suffer from heat stroke.
WHAT ARE THE SIGNS THAT A RABBIT IS BEGINNING TO GET HEAT STROKE?
The rabbit is fully stretched out. The feet are apart and the tail is limp
Wetness around the nose or mouth
Eyes are half closed. The rabbit has a sleepy or dazed appearance.
The rabbits tongue is hanging out.
Breathing rapidly, fast, shallow, or panting
Rabbit is reluctant to move
Rabbit refuses to eat or drink, or lack of appetite
Weakness or slow movements
Lethargy
Reddening of the ears
Salivating (rabbits generally do not drool)
Dark colored urine could mean the rabbit is dehydrated
Diarrhea is another sign that the rabbit is getting too hot
Hot ears
Nostrils and mouth can be blue or bloody-colored
WHAT CAN BE DONE TO KEEP BUNNY COOL?
You want to make sure your bunny is out of the sun. If they will be in a cage or small room for part of the day, you will want to be sure that they have plenty of shade space to rest in. Keep the hutch on a covered porch, in a garage, barn, unfinished basement, or under a large shade tree.
Make your hutch mobile so it can be moved from place to place in your yard throughout the day, where your rabbit can stay the coolest
Airflow is the most important thing
Misters work well as long as there is adequate air flow, especially in humid climates
We let our bunnies in our garden area (all safe veggies) and they love to stay cool under the vegetation, they even dig a little underneath the tall sunflowers to stay cooler.
Rabbits dissipate heat through their ears, so misting their ears will help them to stay cool
Long haired rabbits can be trimmed during the summer months
They will need a constant supply of fresh, clean water, it can be cold or room temperature....it is important to not let their water go dry
You can set up a circulating fan that will not blow directly on him or her, but will breeze past. Sometimes it helps to drape a damp towel over the cage so the fan will blow through the towel and create cooler air. You will want to be sure you keep the cord away from bunny's reach.
Place a cloth canopy with a set of misters on top of the canopy, just be sure there is adequate airflow and ventilation, especially in humid climates
Place rabbits in an air conditioned barn
Rabbits enjoy sitting on a ceramic or marble tile in the cage because it stays cool (be sure to keep the tile out of the sun so it does not get hot).
Give the rabbit ice water in a crock, they love to play with ice!
We have had rabbits run through a sprinkler outside
Brush them often to get out any excess fur, this will help them to stay cooler.
Fill one or two liter bottles with water and freeze them for them to lean against to stay cool.
Keep bunny hydrated with fresh or frozen veggies (or fruits in moderation), see our safe and unsafe food for rabbits page.
Strawberry leaves also keeps a bunny cooler
Provide foods high in water content in moderation such as watermelon, or cantaloupe
If bunny is inside, keep the blinds closed so it is cooler and bunny is not left in the direct sunlight.
Be sure fans are not directly blowing on the rabbit, this can cause them to get sick
Placing rabbits in a garage with fans and misting them down
Place rabbit in a carrying cage indoors for a short time if possible and let them run around in the house for the hottest part of the day.
Directly mist the rabbit with a spritzer or spray bottle, even submerge most of the rabbit in cool, NOT cold water, and do not get his/her head wet.
Underground Burrows: (Taken from Raising-Rabbits.com)
Turn a 24" diameter concrete pipe on end, resting on flat pavers to prevent rabbit from digging out.
Pop an 8" hole in the side about 6" up from the ground
Mud an 8" diameter concrete pipe to the hole as a runway. 8" pipe should be at least 18" long.
Wrap 3/4" chicken wire around the big pipe loosely, allowing at least 1 foot all around the pipe, and then fill the space with good soil.
Cover large pipe with plywood and place a rock on top for security
Attach a normal all-wire cage to 8" pipe. You will need to cut a hole in the back to accept the 8" pipe. Secure the cage so it cannot become dislodged.
Grow strawberries or any other rabbit food on the dirt mound! You can cover the entire chicken-wire-surrounded dirt mound with edible greenery, though the underground rabbit house will stay cool with just the dirt to insulate it.
Here is a great website for pictures: http://ressources.ciheam.org/om/pdf/c08/95605275.pdf
This cover mister system works great if you do not have a barn or big shade trees.
HELP, MY RABBIT IS SUFFERING HEAT STROKE:
Handle the bunny very gently
You can dip him or her in lukewarm (not cold, because the bunny will go into shock) water
Move the bunny into an area with excellent airflow or air conditioned area
Dampen his or her ears with cool water
Be sure to not overly handle or stress the bunny
Take him or her to a vet
We hope this has helped,
Stay Cool
Sources: Our personal experience with Rabbits, Rise and Shine Rabbitry, Save a fluff, Raising Rabbits
