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Summer is the greatest time of the year, but when the temperature rises it’s important to make sure that your rabbits, and their home, are ready for the warmer weather. Rabbits are generally very hardy animals, but they actually tend to deal better with cold spells than with extreme heat, so here’s how to keep rabbits cool in summer!
How to keep outdoor rabbits cool in summer
It might be tempting to move your outdoor rabbits inside your air-conditioned house to help them stay cool, but sudden changes in temperature can actually be worse for them than staying outside in the heat. It is, however, important to know that rabbits can die from heat stroke, so make sure that you’re doing everything you can to prevent your rabbits from getting ill.
The easiest thing to do to make sure your rabbits are comfortable is to get them a hutch that stays cool even in the height of summer. The Eglu Go Rabbit Hutch has twin-wall insulation that keeps the heat out, and makes the temperature in the hutch stay relatively stable throughout the day. It also has a draught-free ventilation system that encourages air to flow through the hutch without creating a nasty draft.
Shade is also very important for keeping your rabbits in summer nice and cool. If possible, place the rabbits’ hutch and play area in a shady part of the garden, ideally under a tree or next to a building that blocks the sun. If different parts of the garden are shaded at different times of the day you might be able to move the play area as the day goes on. This is very easy with Omlet’s Zippi Rabbit Tunnel System. If you don’t have any natural shade you will need to add covers and sun shades to the run to make sure that your rabbits can be outside without having to be in direct sunlight.
How to keep indoor rabbits cool in summer
If your bunnies live indoors on the other hand, then it’s a good idea to create a ‘cool zone’ in your home for them to move to. In this room, you’ll want to turn up the air-conditioning, or use a fan to keep the room at a cool and consistent temperature (please note that if you do use a fan to keep the room cool, you should never directly point it towards a rabbit). The room should be well-ventilated and it’s also a good idea to keep the blinds shut to make sure that their environment is out of direct sunlight.
What do rabbits eat in summer?
Regardless of whether your rabbits live indoors or outdoors, make sure that they have plenty of fresh water at all times. Consider changing the water several times a day when it’s very hot; rabbits are much more likely to drink more if the water is cool, just as you would. Speaking of water, fill a few plastic bottles and put them in the freezer for a few hours. You can then place them on the run or in the hutch for your rabbits to lean against when they’re feeling warm. Prepare a few bottles so you can swap them around when the first ones have melted.
Your bunnies will also love to eat cool and refreshing things when the sun is out. Try washing the vegetables you are giving to your rabbits with cold water before you bring them out to the hutch.
Do rabbits shed in the summer?
During summer, you’ll also find that your fluffy friend will start to shed, especially breeds with longer hair. This is also known as moulting and is nothing to be concerned about. During this stage, a rabbit will lose its thick, winter coat to help them stay cool during the warmer months. You can assist them with a bit of grooming by brushing them more regularly to ensure that they’re not carrying around unnecessary layers. You can read more about general rabbit grooming in our Rabbit Care guide.
How to take care of rabbits in summer
If you think your pets are looking particularly hot you can mist their ears with cool (but not ice cold) water from a spray bottle. Do however, make sure the water doesn’t get into the ear canal. Another important thing to think about is the rabbits probably won’t appreciate getting handled during the hottest hours of the day, so leave play time to later in the evening.
Fly strike
It is also very important to know that the risk of fly strike is much higher during the summer months. Fly strike is caused by flies getting attracted to damp fur, urine and faeces and laying their eggs in the rabbit’s bottom. When the maggots are born after a few hours they eat the rabbit’s flesh and release toxins into the body. Fly strike can kill a healthy rabbit who just happens to have loose stools for a day or two, but if you know that your rabbit sometimes struggles to clean itself it is extra important that you check their bottoms daily. If you see any signs of fly strike, contact your vet immediately. The same goes for heat stroke. Don’t panic and dip your rabbit in cold water, instead take your rabbit to a cool room inside to try to lower their body temperature while you phone the vet.
Omlet rabbit products
Playing with your floppy-eared friends can be made even more exciting by adding fun accessories like the Caddi Rabbit Treat Holder, or by creating even more space in their run. The Zippi Rabbit Run Platforms are a great way to utilize their space by creating a second floor for your rabbits to explore. The Zippi Rabbit Run Platforms are perfect for the warmer weather, as they are insulated to make sure that the floor under your rabbits’ feet remains at an optimum temperature. Furthermore, the shaded area beneath the platforms make for the perfect spot for your rabbits to relax on a summer’s day!
And that’s how to keep rabbits cool in summer! For all of your rabbit’s needs, shop Omlet’s rabbit products. Discover our range of rabbit hutches, rabbit tunnel systems, rabbit platforms and more to ensure your bunnies remain safe and happy all year round!
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This entry was posted in Rabbits on July 23rd, 2019 by linnearask