Be aware of signs of heat stress

Fast, shallow breathing

Hot ears

Listlessness

Wetness around the

nose area

Stretching head back to

breathe

Breathing rapidly from

open mouth.

If you notice any of these

symptoms on your rabbits

then move them to a cool /

shaded area immediately

and cool them down slowly

by wiping cold water on

their ears and offering them

a cold drink. Never pour

water on your rabbit or

submerge your rabbit in

water.

Heat Wave: how to keep your bunnies cool

Although rabbits

originate from hot

climates, they would not

be out in the hot sun, but

in a nice cool burrow

underground. Because

we keep them above

ground we need to help

them keep cool, and

here is how you can do

it.

Seek vet attention immediately

Shade

Make sure your bunnies are in a shady area of the garden or house, ie under a tree, or away from a window. Then you can add items to the exercise area or enclosure to offer more shade such as a tarpaulin, a towel, or a parasol. Add some shady items too, like a cardboard box, or a tunnel. Long term, you might look at planting some shade for them, such as a fast growing climber.

Ventilation

Battery operated

fans can safely be

used and can

attach to an indoor

or outdoor

home. If you do

this make sure

your bunnies can

move away from

the fan if they want

to, and do not

have to sit in the

breeze if they

prefer not.

If they are outside

in a shed, make

sure you can open

the shed door and

let cool air

flow. You will

need to fit a

secondary wire

door to the shed.

Keep cool

In the wild rabbits live in underground warrens that are very cool in summer (and warm in winter) - if you can let your bunnies safely dig a hole to rest in and away from the heat this would be perfect. If not, then an earth base to their enclosure, or big earth filled litter tray, that can be kept damp to keep cool is second best. Also offer then something cool to lie next to - an empty pop bottle filled with water and then frozen is perfect and inexpensive. Marble or ceramic floor tiles can also be placed in their enclosure as a cool place to rest. A plant spray bottle filled with water to gently spray on their ears is another good way of helping them to keep cool.

A general note

We always advise that an exercise area is attached to the hutch / shed for best welfare for outdoor bunnies. If you have a separate exercise area it is even more vital that you make sure there is shade and cool items offered for your bunnies, as well as water.

Sun cream Many owners apply sun cream to the ears of white rabbits to prevent sun burn. We recommend that providing shade would be a better preventative. Rabbits are likely to groom off the sun cream and the risks of sunburn and skin cancer are less in white rab-bits than they are in white cats (we have never seen a case of either) . If you are going to use a sun cream anyway then use the highest protection child safe water resistant but not zinc oxide total sub block.

Make sure your bunnies have plenty of water to drink and if possible replace it during the day to make sure it is cool and not warm. Offer a bottle and a solid ceramic bowl - rabbits can get a bigger drink out of a bowl. Check the spout of the water bottle daily to make sure it is working properly. We do not advise giving them frozen treats or ice cubes because they can cause intestinal prob-lems.

Water

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