06/19/2017
Bunny ears up! It's that time of year again.
RABBITS ARE VERY SENSITIVE TO HIGH SUMMER TEMPERATURES. Here are some suggestions for keeping your rabbit cool and healthy this summer (thanks to the House Rabbit Society):
Make sure bunny is out of the sun. If they are confined to a cage or small room for part of the day, be sure that there is plenty of shady space for the bunny to rest.
Set up a circulating fan that will breeze past your rabbit without blowing directly on him all day. You can also drape a damp towel over part of the cage so the fan will blow through the towel and create cooler air. Be sure to bunny-proof the fan cord!
Place a ceramic tile or marble square in the cage or in bun’s favorite place. The marble or tile stays cool for them to lie on.
Place a few ice cubes in their water crock so the water is tempting and they can also lie against the cool crock.
Mist the rabbit’s ears. Rabbits dissipate heat through their ears and misting them will help keep the rabbit cool.
Brush out excessive fur. Who wants to wear an extra fur coat in the summer? If you have a long haired rabbit, consider cropping your bunny’s coat short for the summer months.
Fill 1 or 2 liter soda bottles with water and freeze them. Once frozen, put the frozen water bottle in Bun’s cage so he can lean against it to keep cool. Keep a few of these on hand in your freezer.
Be sure Bun is getting his fair share of veggies to help keep him hydrated. See the HRS Veggie list.
Be especially watchful of rabbits over 5 years old or ones who are overweight or incapacitated. These rabbits tend to be more sedentary and may not get up to drink water if they are too hot. This can quickly lead to dehydration which can lead to death or other health problems.
Early signs that your rabbit is suffering from summer stress include lethargy, panting and dehydration. Signs of heat stroke include unresponsiveness, being uncoordinated and convulsions. If you suspect heat stroke, dampen his ears and body with cool water, but DO NOT submerge him in cold water as this can cause shock. GET HIM TO YOUR VETERINARIAN OR EMERGENCY CLINIC IMMEDIATELY!