It is important rabbit owners do whatever they can to ensure their pets are safe and warm during cold weather snaps, as domesticated rabbits are not as efficient at keeping themselves warm as their wild counterparts.
In the wild, rabbits live in burrows underground, usually in groups to keep themselves warm. Wild rabbits are also better equipped to deal with lower temperatures due to having thicker fur.
Hutches don’t offer the same level of insulation or protection as burrows as they’re above ground and are often vulnerable to wind and rain. If a rabbit’s home is exposed to the elements in winter, rabbits can and do suffer from potentially fatal hypothermia.
Rabbits can usually withstand wintry weather as long as they have a well-insulated, weatherproof hutch.
However, in extreme temperatures, it is worth considering moving the hutch to a shed or garage – providing the garage isn’t in use, as toxic car fumes can seriously harm your rabbit’s health. Just make sure they still have access to a safe, covered exercise run.
Four tips to make your rabbit hutch winter ready
Check the roof of the hutch is in good condition and 100% waterproof. Any wooden panels or joints inside the hutch should be dry and show no sign of mould or water stains.
Check the back and sides of the hutch are in good condition and painted or varnished to protect them from the elements, as these areas can allow rain or moisture to seep through. Check these areas carefully for damp patches or rotten wood.
Keeping a rabbit hutch close to the ground can not only allow predators easier access to your rabbit’s home but also puts your pet in danger of water damage or frost. Raise your hutch off the ground on tall legs to prevent the bottom from freezing or being damaged by water, as well as making it more difficult for predators to get into the hutch.
It’s important to ensure your rabbit hutch is free from draughts, but at the same time well ventilated.
Placing the hutch in an area sheltered from the elements is the best way to keep your rabbits warm and safe. You should also insulate the hutch with newspaper and hay and remember to change this regularly.
Feeding and watering rabbits in winter
Falling temperatures can lead to your rabbit’s water bottle freezing, preventing them from re-hydrating. Check your rabbit’s water supply regularly to ensure that it is not frozen.
Rabbits tend to eat more food in winter to keep their body temperature at a stable level. Make sure to increase your rabbit’s food and hay in the colder months, so they have enough energy to stay warm.
Exercising rabbits in winter
It’s vitally important rabbits exercise daily during the colder months. A hutch attached to a safe, covered exercise run will allow them to shelter in the hutch or exercise in the run when they please (rabbits are most active at dawn and dusk). It’s not acceptable to keep them locked up simply because you’re unable to provide a protected exercise area for them.
Just remember to:
Ensure at least part of the run is dry and sheltered
Provide as many hiding places as there are rabbits so they can escape if they feel afraid
Give them safe toys to play with to avoid boredom
Provide regular opportunities for them to play with other friendly rabbits
Rub your rabbit dry with a towel if they get wet
Some owners bring their rabbits indoors during winter. However, if you do decide to go down this route you should provide an indoor pen or give them access to a ‘bunny-proofed’ room and you must stick with it until spring. Rabbits need time to acclimatise to new conditions so it’s not fair to bring them indoors for short periods and then let them out again.
Rabbits do not hibernate in the winter months. If your rabbit appears extremely tired or limp, he is not going into hibernation. He may, however, be suffering from hypothermia.
Rabbit body temperature
Hypothermia is a risk for rabbits in winter. It occurs when the body temperature falls below normal (38.5-40°C). This can be even more dangerous than a fever.
Rabbits suffering from hypothermia will become lethargic and their extremities, such as their ears and paws, will look pale and feel cool to the touch. In advanced stages, the rabbit will appear as if in a stupor. If untreated, hypothermia can be fatal.
If you’re worried your rabbit is suffering from hypothermia, or if they become unresponsive, you should loosely wrap the rabbit in warm towels, and contact your vet or out of hours your nearest Vets Now, right away.
How to keep your rabbit warm in the winter
Many owners are unaware of how vulnerable their pets are to the cold. Read on to learn how to keep your rabbit warm in winter.
