How to Keep Rabbits Cool in Summer

25 degrees is considered too hot for rabbits and can increase the risk of heatstroke.

It might feel like you’ve just come out of the colder weather where you’re looking for ways to keep your four-legged friends nice and toasty through the winter. Summer months are no different in that you may need to provide extra support to protect against the weather. Keeping your rabbit cool during the summer is vital in helping them stay happy and healthy so we’ve got some of the best options that are super quick and easy to achieve.

Both indoor and outdoor rabbits will benefit from their home being moved into a shadier spot during the warmer months. If a cage is in direct sunlight (even in the house) it restricts where your bunny can go to cool off.

For indoor bunnies, reorganising their cage to sit on kitchen tiles is a great option to help them stay cool even when the environment is toasty. If their hutch is outside, place it out of the way of direct sunlight whilst being mindful of where the sun moves through the day. As the grass also stays nice and cool throughout the summer, it can be nice to have an attached run or get them a hutch that directs opens onto the grass on the lower level.

Water is vital when it’s warm to make sure your rabbit has a way of keeping hydrated. Their water bottle shouldn’t be placed in the sunlight and if you’re worried about them running out, you can always provide multiple sources of water to make sure they never go without.

Placing multiple of the Mini Deluxe Water Bottles around their cage will ensure they have a constant supply of water as the warmer months continue.

 

Cooling mats are great for the summer months. The Smart Choice Pet Cooling Mat is useful for all species of pets including rabbits. They can be placed in their hutch and are activated when they put their weight on them, they instantly start to cool and allow your fluffy friend to cool off. They can stay cold for up to an hour and only need an hour to reset before being enjoyed again. They’re also easy to wipe and come in various sizes to fit any sized hutch.

 

While their thick coats are great in the winter months, they can be a nuisance in the summer, preventing your rabbit from really benefitting from anything you do to keep them cool.

Regular grooming will help to remove any dead hair that only serves to sit within their coat and prevent any heat from escaping. A brush set like the Rosewood Options Mini Grooming Set is a great place to start to make sure your bunny isn’t weighed down by loose hair.

For long haired rabbits, some owners even find it helpful to take them to the Jollyes Spa for a summer trim, perfect to keep their coats from weighing them down and making them too hot.

 

You can DIY some in-hutch cooling remedies for your rabbit too! Simply fill a plastic water bottle with water and freeze it, then pop in your rabbit’s hutch so they can lean it on for instant cooling relief. You can do the same with ice packs, just make sure you wrap a clean cloth around it to prevent frostbite from direct contact.

 

If your cooling mat hasn’t arrived yet, you can also dampen a small towel and hang it over the rabbit’s run to create extra shade and an evaporating cooling effect. Do not cover the entire run, as this will prevent a cooling breeze. 

Rabbits lose heat mostly from their ears, so try dampening their ears with a wet cloth if they are comfortable with it. Do not attempt to dampen or wet your rabbit anywhere else, as water can shock them and be fatal.  

Although your floppy-eared friend may not be in the direct sunlight outdoors, it can still get hot inside the house! Here are a few things you can do to cool down your flopsy.

Some breeze can quickly cool down your fur ball, so try opening a window or turning on air-conditioning to cool down the house.

If you want controlled air flow into the room where your rabbit is staying, opt for a fan! Make sure it’s not in direct line with your rabbit’s hutch, and that they can move away from the cold air flow if they wish.

Is your rabbit staying in the best place during hot days? Avoid conservatories, rooms with large windows and wooden sheds, and look to the coolest rooms in your house.

Banish those scorching rays and keep your curtains closed in your rabbit’s room. Remember that heat rises, so the top of the house will always feel the hottest, making the basement a great option to house your rabbit.

Hot weather isn’t just uncomfortable for your rabbit, it can be dangerous and in some instances, life threatening.

Heat stroke can be a serious ailment for rabbits in the warmer months, particularly if they have no way of cooling off. During the summer it’s important to keep an eye for the symptoms of heat stroke. Signs of heat stroke include:

If you see your bunny particularly lethargic or struggling to be their usual, active self, this may be because of the heat. If you suspect they could be having a heat stroke or on the verge of one, you can wrap when in a damp towel to bring down their temperature gradually. You can also offer them cool water, but it shouldn’t be ice cold as their bodies can go into shock and you should never submerge them in water.

The best course of action for a bunny who could be suffering from heat stroke is to take them to the vet to seek help.

To keep them cool throughout the summer and all the other bunny essentials you may need, take a look at our wide range of stock in store and online.