08/05/2024
It's getting warmer yall! Be careful, heat stroke sets in quick. We do fans w misters and ice 2 litters!
RABBITS vs HEAT
Rabbits don’t tolerate heat well. Unlike us, rabbits cant find many ways to cool down especially when caged... they also can't sweat or pant which limits them tremendously. Basically they rely on us! And since its coming on to summer I thought it an appropriate time to discuss ways to cool them down.
Hydration:
Even in regular circumstances, a rabbit drinks more daily (on average) than a medium-sized dog would, so first things first... ensure they have access to plenty of fresh, cool water. They will not drink warm water, so coolness is key and also difficult to do. The best option is a large bowl of ice water (I use ceramic in the summer). I give mine bottles normally and will still provide them with bottles but in the hotter months I also add bowls to their enclosures. The water stays cooler longer and they are easy to empty and refill too. It will need to be changed often to keep it fresh and clear of debris.
Ice Packs:
A few frozen water bottles or flat freezer blocks or lunch box squares placed around their cage/enclosure will give your rabbits a nice cold spot to flop down on or lay against.
***Cooling mats are available from pet stores – but remember that rabbits like to chew, so never leave them with access to a gel-filled mat.
Misters & Fans:
Misting your rabbit with cool water can help a lot! The use of misters and fans can make a huge difference. Employing this technique along with shade makes the nasty heat bearable.
Keep in mind that buns lose heat via their ears. Keeping their ears damp can decrease internal temps. Lops in particular can use the misters. They basically have half the surface area to help them cool since their ears lay against their heads.
****Quick dramatic temperature drops can cause respiratory illness when combined with dampness. Its best to mist during the hottest parts of the day. Toward the end of the day, turn misters off but leave fans on to help the rabbits and their areas dry completely out.
Ice Cubes/Blocks:
Rabbits like popsicles just like we do especially when it's hot out Its worth taking the time to freeze some ice cubes/blocks containing berries (raspberries, blackberries, blueberries) and/or diluted vegetable juice or acv water. I also like to use diluted orange Gatorade with pieces of orange and cranberrries too. Or basically you can use anything they are used to getting without issue.
****As with all treats, these should be given in moderation!
Cooler Areas:
A rabbit’s best defence against heat is having somewhere cool and shaded to stretch out. A wooden plank big enough for them to lay on will help but a large granite tile would help more. (Any tile will work... I just recommend granite as they stay cooler longer in my experience) I buy enough tiles that I can alternate them without issue. Pop them in the freezer for at least a good 15 minutes (longer preferably) for the best results.
Wet Greens:
Rabbits love fresh vegetation. Vegetables/greenery, dripping in water from a rinse, are very welcome in hot weather. But as with any food items given to rabbits, if they aren't used to them, you should only introduce one at a time. You can give the same one daily for a few days but watch for any gi upset and/or f***l changes. If anything seems off, stop immediately and push hay & hydration. Best greens to start out with are dandelions, broadleaf & narrow plantain, parsley & cilantro. Carrot tops too.
What to Watch For:
Rabbits tend to hide illnesses until it’s too late, so be alert. Heat stress shows as lethargy, open mouth breathing, drooling and dehydration while signs of heatstroke include unresponsiveness, lack of coordination, and convulsions
**Edited to add
Heat Tolerance:
If you raise your rabbits anywhere outside of a temperature controlled environment it is important to breed for temperature tolerance. By no means do I think you should go out and start culling every rabbit that needs a little help when it's hot but if over time they keep having consistent issues, season after season, it may be the kindest thing to do. Culling just means to remove from your lines, be it either petting out or culling terminally. It can take time to build heat tolerance in your herd. You start by culling those that need more assistance than others and breed those that excel. (I'm not advising you breed during extreme temps as that is difficult for any rabbit to endure) After beginning you just keep tightening up your goals until no extra help is necessary or needed.
Pic for attention only
