Hot Bunny

United States
June 10, 2008 11:07am CST
I have a rabbit and he lives outside in a hutch. It's very hot here and I'm worried about him. Does anyone have any tips to keep him cool?
2 people like this
6 responses
@Emma30587 (402)
19 Jun 08
I have loads of rabbits which I keep in my garage, I keep mine cool by plugging in a fan and leaving it on for a few hours. Im not sure if you able to point a fan in his direction?!! Other than that all i can think of is puttin his cage in the shade part of the garden
@Pigglies (9329)
• United States
22 Jun 08
Drafts are actually not the best idea if you can avoid them. Sometimes you have to use a fan, but it's really not as good. The shade does not protect from heat stroke, if it is hot, it's hot. Rabbits can die at temperatures over 80 degrees, whether or not there is shade.
22 Jun 08
It is cooler in the shade than direct sun though
23 Jun 08
Yes I do know what im doing. I did alot of reaserach before buying any rabbits and ive also had a few litters from my rabbits and not that its any of your business but we have had a window installed in the garage so they do get day light, plus the door is open all the time we are at home so they get plently of natural day light and fresh air. They have big hutches and are let out in the garden at every opportuinty.
@setroc (853)
• Philippines
10 Jun 08
i think rabbits in the wild protect themselves from the heat by burrowing underground
@Pigglies (9329)
• United States
10 Jun 08
Those burrows stay cool because they are several feet under the ground. Sand is not going to do much except get kicked all over the place, or worse, eaten. Freezing bricks can sometimes help, but they don't last too long in the heat.
@mclendon (308)
• United States
10 Jun 08
You're right. If a litter box or deep box with a few inches depth of sand would fit in the hutch, I would be surprised if the bunny didn't burrow into it or stretch out on the sand. Damp sand might help. And he MUST be in the shade. Bunnies can get sunburned.
• United States
10 Jun 08
His hutch has a roof over the entire top so he always has shade.
@Pigglies (9329)
• United States
10 Jun 08
Yes, move him inside. Of course, that would be the preferred solution if it is possible. Rabbits are very susceptible to heat stroke. But when I'm volunteering with shelter rabbits that have no where else to go by small hutches outside because the shelters do not have room, I bring in frozen water bottles. If you're gone all day, fill a 2 liter soda bottle part way with water and freeze that for your rabbit to lay next to to keep cool.
• United States
10 Jun 08
Ooo, frozen water bottles. I can do that. The poor thing just lies stretched out in his cage and pants all day. I feel sorry for him.
@Pigglies (9329)
• United States
11 Jun 08
That's definitely a bad sign if he's panting. Definitely do the frozen water bottles. That's what keeps the rabbits at the animal shelter alive during the summer.
@jonivl (15)
• United States
11 Jun 08
Bunnies don't do well in heat. They can handle cold, but not heat. You'd really do best to bring the bunny in and if you don't have AC do the frozen bottles, too.
@Lock_Heed (210)
• United States
10 Jun 08
Take hime out to play in some water and keep him in the shade. I don't know how receptive rabbits are to thier owners compared to cats and dogs but you can always put him inside with you.
• United States
10 Jun 08
This bunny is fairly calm around people, but we don't have air conditioning so bringing him inside wouldn't do much. I guess it would still help, though.
@Lock_Heed (210)
• United States
11 Jun 08
Just wanted to know how the rabbit is doing? Did the bottles work? Was is so hot he built himself a little diving board and went to town? Did he run to the nearest pub and just kick back cold ones till sundown? Let us know how he's doing......
• United States
12 Jun 08
Lol. He's fine. It was cooler today but I put a half filled frozen water bottle in there to make sure. I have three ready in the freezer so I can switch them out during the day if we have another hot day like we've been having. Thanks for your concern.
• Poland
10 Jun 08
make him something like opened water canister. He will cool himself in it. He should be shadowed too.
• United States
10 Jun 08
His hutch is a little small but I'll see if that can work, thanks.