You can keep bunnies warm during winter by lining the walls and floor with newspaper. You can also add hay as bedding and use it as a warmer to keep your rabbit’s environment warm.
When winter approaches, your rabbits will depend on you to provide them with insulation and warmth. As a pet owner, you must know how to help keep them cozy and keep their physiological temperature normal.
According to an estimate by Statista, the population of rabbits in the UK was estimated to total approximately 1.5 million in 2023.
According to a survey by the AVMA, the approximate number of households that keep rabbits as pets is 1.5 million in the USA.
Usually, these locations are cold, where hares are kept as pets, and bunnies need extra care in harsh winter.
According to RSPCA, you can keep your bunnies warm by providing shelter with blankets and additional bedding during this month. Add suitable materials, which include dust-free hay and straw.’
In addition, you can add a heat source and walls with newspaper, which absorb moisture and provide insulation.
Moreover, to keep them safe and warm, you must provide them with plenty of high-quality food and water since their metabolism is slowed in winter.
Let’s learn the steps to make sure your domestic hares stay warm throughout winter.
7 ways To Keep Rabbits Warm in the Winter?
For rabbit welfare in winter, you must pay attention to its housing and shelter. It’s important to keep your rabbits protected from cold breezes, rain, and snow. Taking weatherproof steps is essential for their care.
Rabbits in the winter can catch a cold and may suffer from deadly pneumonia. They keep themselves cozy and cope with cold temperatures better than heat. However, if they stay wet and cold, they can suffer from hypothermia. Hypothermia can be fatal.
When a rabbit is sick, their breathing may be compromised, and rabbits tend to exhibit symptoms such as lethargy or changes in appetite. Use your natural instincts and take him to the vet.
Here is how you can help your rabbits stay comfy in colder months.
1. Provide a Cozy sleeping area to keep them warm
You can keep the hutch insulated by caring for its sleeping area. You can use these ideas to fulfill rabbits need during winter months. These tips are suitable for the areas where winters remain year round.
You can use ;
- Cardboard boxes or nest boxes are sleeping areas for the rabbits.
- Add additional floor linings to the sleeping enclosures.
- Hutch off the ground and raise the hutch from the floor to prevent the frost from accumulating at the base.
2. Use Rabbit Warmer inside the Nest Box to provide warmth.
You can keep your indoor rabbits heated during the cold season by using a rabbit warmer inside the nest box.
- Use extra hay as bedding. Adding it can be the best bedding for them as they can eat it.
- Straw flooring is one of the best ways to keep the enclosures comfortable during the cold.
- Since straw is warmer than grass fodder, fill the rabbits’ nest with plenty of straw.
- Make sure to replace the straws with fresh ones frequently. Since bunnies urinate, it will make the straw damp. It could be detrimental to rabbits’ health to sleep on damp beds.
3. Insulate a rabbit hutch to keep warm.
- You can insulate the hutch with lots of hay.
- You can insulate the inside walls of the rabbits’ home, providing a snug environment in the hutch with newspapers or cardboard.
- You can put blankets over the top or old carpets to increase their comfort level. Then, cover with a tarp.
4. Provide heat in a rabbit hutch.
A heated rabbit cage is also a great way to provide comfort for your cottontails during winter.
You can maintain warmth in the winter weather by providing thermal energy in the rabbit cage. You can use the following.
- You can use the chew-free heat pad, they are game changer. It must be microwaved according to the instructions. Place it between the straw or forage. It helps them stay toasty and dry in winter.
- Consider bringing a heat lamp to the enclosure.
- You can also use hot water bottles, wrap a towel around it, or put it inside any plastic container. Put it between the grass fodder. The plastic container is better since rabbits won’t chew it and refrain from biting the hot bottle.
- Cover the top and sides of the rabbit’s hutch with wire.
5. Keep the Bunnies Dry
Regardless of the weather, your pet rabbits must go outside and play to stay fresh and happy. However, rabbits in winter can get wet from snow or rainwater. This way, they can get cold and fall sick.
Therefore, make sure to dry them up before letting them return to their cages or homes. You can rub their hair with a towel. Or, you can bring them indoors and let them get dried up naturally.
* Avoid using heaters for this purpose.
Keep your Bunnies in Pairs
- It is better to keep the rabbits in pairs. This provides natural warmth by snuggling against one another during winter. It will also help them socialize.
- However, keep an eye out if you bring a new bunny for the company. This is because sometimes they are not very easy-going with each other, leading to fights. Moreover, they dislike sharing their personal space with other bunnies and show territorial behavior. Therefore, do not force companionship.
6. Clean the Bunnies’ Cage Regularly
To keep a rabbit warm, cleaning their homes is necessary. The urine of bunnies can dampen the cage, leading to their catching a cold. Therefore, keep a constant eye on their cage and clean their area regularly. It will protect your hares against a cold, infection, and other diseases.
7. Provide food to Bunnies
The calorie content of food plays a vital role in a rabbit’s health. It ensures keeping its body energized and generating natural heat to maintain body temperature.
They also depend on the natural temperature produced by their bodies to maintain the required body temperature.
Hay is one of the natural ways and food to provide warmth to rabbits. Eating it will produce body warmth once it is digested. Thus, it helps the hares to keep warm in winter. It is rich in fiber, and it is considered to be the best diet for rabbits. Therefore, provide them with plenty of hay to eat.
Moreover, to make sure that your rabbit is happy and healthy, you must provide your cottontails with plenty of high-quality forage for food and water since the rabbits’ metabolism is slowed in winter.
How to Keep Indoor Rabbits Warm in Winter?
Rabbits are naturally blessed with a thick coat of fur. This coat helps them cozy throughout the winter season. Moreover, the hair stops shedding in winter and keeps growing to fight the cold. Therefore, they can be kept inside. You can help them in the following ways;
- Make sure you arrange their enclosure in a room away from drafts. Drafts from doors and windows can lead to rabbits feeling cold. Therefore, to avoid cold outside, provide them with an area where they can stay home.
- Provide extra bedding. Add straw, fodder, blankets, newspapers, etc., for snuggling.
- Provide them with extra food and water since it helps maintain their warmth.
- Make sure the temperature inside is ideal. It is suitable if it is between 60˚ to 70˚F.
- Avoid keeping them in a room with heaters turned on or near radiators. It could be too hot because of their thick fur.
- You can use fleece covers in freezing cold.
It is recommended to bring rabbits indoors only when the temperature drops very low, leading to harsh weather conditions and draughts.
How to Keep Your Rabbit Warm at Night
According to nidirect, a piece of cover or other insulating material could offer added protection on cold nights provided there is enough ventilation.”
You can provide warmth at night by providing adequate housing and sleeping areas. At night, temperature decreases, and straw flooring keeps them cozier and provides extra protection. Straw is warmer than hay.
Rabbits can survive temperatures below 60˚ to 65˚F if they have a good and pleasant place to stay. A waterproof and sturdy hutch is required to preserve their warmth and dry outdoors, as already discussed above.
Once you provide the hares with the extra flooring material, using a straw will be enough keeping rabbits warm. Therefore, you must give an adequate comfy floor since it adds extra thermal protection and is more effective.
Your effort in ensuring their warmth will make their survival comfortable in such harsh weather. Thus, take your responsibility seriously and follow proper guidelines for your rabbits’ comfort and health.
FAQs
Can Rabbits Die From Cold?
Yes, rabbits can die from cold. Extreme winter conditions can cause hypothermia in rabbits. Temperatures falling below 19˚F can be life-threatening for them. Therefore, you must protect them from the cold and provide enough warmth. You can move them to garages or indoors as the weather gets cold. Moreover, their conditions must be ideal for the rabbits to survive the cold.
Do rabbits get cold at night?
Yes, rabbits can get cold at night in cold weather. They may need extra rabbit care since they are not exposed to the same environmental conditions as their wild counterparts.
Rabbits are generally well-adapted to cold temperatures but still need protection from extreme cold, especially at night.
How do I know if my rabbit is warm enough?
You can make sure your rabbit is warm enough by testing these:
- Feel their ears and paws. They should be at a comfortable temperature.
- Watch for signs such as fluffed hair or shivering.
- Ensure that they are eating well or doing their regular activity.
- Provide enough bedding. Adjust their living space or use a thermal source if it is cold.
Can I leave my rabbit outside in winter at night?
No, it’s better not to leave your rabbit outside at night during the cold. Besides the cold, there is a high risk of predators outdoors. Bring your rabbit inside or provide a well-insulated and secure shelter. Always ensure they have a suitable environment to stay safe and comfortable.
Can you shower bunnies during the winter season?
No, giving rabbits a bath or showering during winter is not advisable. Rabbits are meticulous groomers and can clean themselves. Bathing can be stressful for them and may lead to health issues.
Can I use a rabbit warmer to keep the body temperature normal?
Yes, you can use rabbit warmers. Get your rabbits heat lamps, microwavable heating pads, etc.
Is straw good bedding for rabbits to keep the hutch warm?
Yes, straw can be a good bedding option for rabbits to help keep their hutch or cage warm. Straw provides insulation and helps retain heat, making it suitable for colder weather. Ensure its hygiene. You can also layer straw with other appropriate protective flooring materials for better insulation.
Do bunnies like blankets?
Yes, many rabbits enjoy blankets for comfort and warmth.
Can I use a bunny heat lamp?
Yes, you can use a bunny heat lamp to keep them warm during winter. However, in certain situations, such as providing additional warmth during colder weather. However, it’s essential to use caution.
Do rabbits like snow?
Yes, many rabbits enjoy playing in the snow. However, remember that each rabbit is unique, and their response to snow may differ. Some rabbits find snow intriguing and may hop around, dig, or play in it.
How Much Warm is Too Warm for Rabbits?
Rabbits don’t cannot survive extreme heat. The ideal temperature for rabbits is between 60˚ to 70˚F. Therefore, temperatures above 77˚F can be dangerous and life-threatening for them.
How Much Warm is Too Warm for Rabbits?
Rabbits cannot survive extreme heat. The ideal temperature for rabbits is between 60˚ to 70˚F. Therefore, temperatures going above 77˚F can be dangerous and life-threatening.