Domestic rabbits often become more active and playful as it gets colder out. So, while you are holed up in your home to keep warm, the weather gets cooler, you might see your rabbit start zooming around and doing some binkies around the garden. As a result, you might be concerned and wonder, do pet rabbits get cold? Interestingly, they fare better in the cold than we think.
Certainly, your pet bunny relies on your care during the cold months as always. Happily, with just a few safety measures and a rabbit’s naturally well-insulated body, your pet can live warm and cozy even in the coldest climate.
This article explains all you need to know to provide adequate care for your bunny when the weather is cold, including:
- Do Pet Rabbits feel the cold?
- How Do I Know If My Rabbit is Cold?
- Can Rabbits Die From Cold?
- How Cold Can It Be Outside For Bunnies?
- How Can I Care For My Bunny During Cold Weather?
Do Pet Rabbits feel the cold?
Undoubtedly, pet rabbits can feel cold. Cold can make their body temperature go down. If they don’t receive help to be warm on time, they can get sick from being cold and wet. Nevertheless, rabbits tolerate cold relatively better than humans.
Rabbits have the adaptability to help them survive the cold. Their feet are padded with fur, and they are covered with thick fur coats to protect them from extreme cold weather. Outdoor rabbits grow thicker pelt in winter and shed in summer to make their coats thinner.
Consequently, rabbits who are either young or underweight or even healthy adults who are not adapted to cold by growing winter fur coats need special care to be warm and dry.
Wet conditions can lessen a rabbit’s body temperature very quickly, so, check your hutch often to make sure it is clean and dry. Warming your bunny up with a heating pad or wrapping it in a thick dry towel are excellent ways to quickly increase its temperature. With this in mind, you can check the temperature by using a plastic rectal thermometer. If it is lower than 100F, you should promptly warm your pet rabbit up.
How Do I Know If My Rabbit is Cold?
A fast way to know if your rabbit is cold is by feeling its ears, paws, and nose. If they are cold to touch, your bunny might be chilly. In addition, your bunny will be less active and will lay with its feet tucked under rather than sprawled out.
Typically, rabbits regulate their internal body temperature by their ears. Unlike humans and some other animals, rabbits do not shiver when they are cold. When pet rabbits get cold, they save their body temperature by cooling the ears and preventing heat from being transferred to the environment.
Generally, rabbit ears feel cool or cold when they warm their body. In winter or windy conditions, rabbits fold their ears to cut off contact between the inner surface and the surrounding air. They bring their ears close to the body to reduce heat loss.
It is important to note that cold ears could signify that your rabbit is not just cold but suffering from an illness. So, observe other symptoms that your bunny might be sick like loss of appetite, lack of energy, breathing through the mouth, etc.
Can Rabbits Die From Cold?
The simple answer is Yes. While rabbits tolerate cold well, in extreme situations, a rabbit can die of cold.
Firstly, hypothermia can kill a rabbit, where the body temperature drops critically below average (normal range is 101.3F-104F). If the rabbit is too cold to retain enough heat, the ears will be icy to touch, and they will start to become greyish and colorless.
Before long, their ears will get frostbite and start to turn black as the rabbit’s body temperature gets too low, i.e., hypothermia. Some signs of hypothermia include lethargy, loss of appetite, change in breathing, and, of course, cold nose, ears, and paws. A rabbit with hypothermia should receive urgent vet care so that it can survive.
Secondly, when pet rabbits get cold, they become more vulnerable to illness. For example, older bunnies can get arthritis (a painful disease that causes inflammation of the joints) if exposed to cold for an extended period. Other examples are snuffles and frostbite. Even very young and underweight rabbits too do not tolerate cold well.
How Cold Can It Be Outside For Bunnies?
As earlier established, healthy adult rabbits tolerate cold well even when the outdoor temperature is below freezing. After all, rabbits in the wild live comfortably outdoors in their burrows during winter. Yet, pet rabbits get cold at extremely low temperatures.
While the ideal temperature for rabbits is between 60 oF- 70 o F, rabbits can withstand temperatures as low as 40 o F if necessary. However, when it is below 20 o F, it may be too cold for your rabbit to be outdoors. Then they will need extra care to be comfortable and healthy.
Be that as it may, there is a need for caution. Suitable housing and adequate nutrition are crucial for your pet to survive outdoors during cold periods. If the temperature starts to reach freezing point, you may want to consider moving your bunny indoors. A shed or unused garage will work.
Also, rabbits used to living indoors should not be kept outdoors in winter. The same goes for bunnies that live in an outdoor cage. Bringing them indoors during wintertime may cause more harm than good.
Hence, If you want your rabbit to spend the winter outdoors, it is best to move it outside in early fall. Accordingly, it can gradually adapt as the temperature drops. Then it can grow thicker fur or winter coat.
Very young or old rabbits, or those with health problems, should be kept indoors. Since even if their cages and diet are changed, they may still not tolerate cold temperatures.
How Can I Care For My Bunny During Cold Weather?
You can take essential measures to care for your pet rabbit during the cold months and make it comfortable. It becomes significantly more important if you are housing your rabbit outdoors. Consider the following tips :
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Move your rabbit to a warmer place
It is best to consider moving your rabbits indoors (shed or unused garage) when outside temperatures reach freezing point. You need to ensure they still have plenty of space to exercise and not be confined to a cage if you do. On the other hand, if you decide to leave your rabbit outdoors, provide warmth and protection from extreme weather conditions
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Keep your rabbit warm
Move your rabbit cage away from draught into a sheltered place. Provide added insulation by covering the cage with a tarp and blanket. In addition, elevate the pen off the ground and line the floor with paper to prevent wetness. Provide extra bedding with lots of hay or straw to help your rabbit to snuggle and keep warm. Similarly, add a warmed heating pad to the bedding.
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Provide adequate nutrition
It takes more energy for rabbits to regulate their body temperature during cold. It grows thick fur, so endeavor to provide more nutrition. A healthy rabbit diet consists of plenty of hay, fresh leafy vegetables, and grass seeds. Give fruits in moderation. In the same vein, you may seek the advice of a vet on the proper diet for rabbits during cold weather.
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Get a bunny friend for your bunny
Rabbits are best kept in pairs. A vital part of your pet rabbit’s winter kit is a companion to share body heat with. Therefore, get a partner for your rabbit so that they both can enjoy companionship and warmth. Equally important is spaying or neutering them
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Provide enough water
Ensure you keep your rabbit hydrated during cold periods. You may need to provide warm water for your rabbit to ensure the water remains liquid and not frozen. Or better still, get two water bottles you can repeatedly swap daily. The bottom line is for your rabbit to have clean (unfrozen) water to drink at all times.
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Clean the cage regularly
Due to the cold, your rabbit will likely spend more time in its cage. So, you need to keep the cage clean always, at least once a week. Ensure that the bedding is not wet; sleeping on damp bedding will make your rabbit fall sick fast. Additionally, clean the droppings daily. Cleaning may be challenging for you because of the weather, but it is vital to your pet’s good health.
Conclusion
Finally, keeping rabbits outdoors can present various challenges, especially in cold weather. Pet rabbits get cold, and they are at risk of getting cold-related diseases during cold months. Above all, do not forget to check your rabbit several times a day and watch for any signs that they may be uncomfortable.