Although they may look small and fragile, rabbits are surprisingly well-adapted to cold temperatures. With appropriate husbandry, a healthy adult rabbit can be comfortable in temperatures
down to 40 degrees Fahrenheit
and can tolerate temperatures that are even lower if necessary.
Can pet rabbits survive in the cold?
Rabbits typically do well in colder temperatures
. Rabbits stop shedding their fur during the fall and grow a thick fur coat that keeps them warm in the winter. They are relatively comfortable in temperatures as low as 32 degrees.
Is 40 degrees too cold for a rabbit?
Although they may look small and fragile, rabbits are surprisingly well-adapted to cold temperatures. With appropriate husbandry,
a healthy adult rabbit can be comfortable in temperatures down to 40 degrees Fahrenheit
and can tolerate temperatures that are even lower if necessary.
How can I tell if my rabbit is cold?
Ears aren’t the best way to tell if a rabbit is too cold
. They radiate excess heat through their ears, so cool ears just mean that the bun doesn’t have any excess heat to lose, not necessarily that they are too cold. Generally speaking, ears are a poor way to tell if a bun is too hot or too cold.
Do rabbits get cold indoors?
Indoor rabbits should ideally be housed in a room that does not have a heat source, because it eliminates the risk of the animals becoming overheated. Even without heat,
a well insulated home can easily maintain temperatures of 45-50 degrees
, which is perfectly comfortable for rabbits.
Should I cover my rabbits cage at night?
If you have your rabbits in a large cage or pen, then they’re less likely to develop respiratory problems but there isn’t a point in covering the pen anyway. If you want to keep your rabbits safe, then you should just
avoid covering the cage with a blanket
.
How do you winterize a rabbit hutch?
Put windbreaks up around the hutch and run. Line your shed to create a double wall and an extra layer of insulation. Add clear sheeting; plastic, plexiglass, or perspex sheets to the front of hutches and runs to keep them weather proof. Keeping the sheeting clear helps the rabbits to see out.
What temp can rabbits be outside?
The bunny basics
For example, a rabbit’s ideal outdoor temperature is between
12° to 21°C (55° to 70°F)
and, while your bunnies can tolerate temperatures as high as 30°C (85°F), anything above that can increase their risk of heatstroke.
Is 30 degrees too cold for a rabbit?
Rabbits are cold weather animals. They’re highly temperature resistant, and
can handle temperatures down to almost 30
o
F (-2
o
C)
. With a well-insulated hutch, they’ll be fine even in near-freezing conditions.
Can rabbits live on hay alone?
Rabbits should be fed in a way that is as close as possible to their natural diet: mostly grass or hay. In fact,
rabbits could live on hay and water alone
, but we recommend providing some fresh leafy vegetables and a small amount of commercial feed.
Do rabbits like blankets?
It’s no secret that rabbits love soft materials.
All domesticated rabbits like blankets and pillows in the home
. You’ll likely be tempted to place similar items in your pet’s hutch for added comfort. Blankets and towels are great additions to a rabbit’s home.
Is it OK to keep rabbits in a garage?
Rabbits can be kept outdoors all year round but
ideally their resting area should be brought into a shed or unused garage with natural light and ventilation for the winter months or else protected with tarpaulin from bad weather
.
How do I keep my rabbit warm at night?
Can I leave my rabbit outside at night?
Giving them the right amount of attention often means keeping your rabbit indoors at least part of the day, but
he can sleep outside if you prefer, at least in most cases
.
What do bunnies like to sleep in?
A clean cardboard box turned to its side
can make an excellent sleeping area for a rabbit. When creating a special bedroom for your rabbit, make sure it dark, warm, shielded, and enclosed. In addition, provide them with appropriate bedding inside their special bedroom.
Can you vacuum around a rabbit?
Don’t Make Loud Noises
Take care when vacuuming, mowing the lawn or doing anything near your rabbit’s cage that is noisy.
Can rabbits stay caged?
Pet rabbits can be quite readily kept in cages in the home
, with some freedom to run free in the house—after thoroughly rabbit-proofing, of course. Rabbits take fairly well to litter training, so many people will let their bunnies run free in the home for at least part of the day.
Do rabbits need a heater in the winter?
Most rabbits will not need a heated environment to make it through the winter
. An easy way to keep your rabbit comfortable and safe during the winter is to place straw or hay in the nest portion of the hutch. It is recommended that straw be used over hay because straw has better insulating properties.
How cold can rabbits tolerate UK?
A temperature of between
10-20°C
is recommended as ideal for domestic rabbits, though they can cope with lower temperatures, but tend to suffer from too much heat. If the temperature starts to reach freezing, you may wish to consider moving your rabbits’ home indoors or into an outhouse, shed or unused garage.
Can you use a heat lamp for rabbits?
Most pet stores carry heat lamp fixtures that work well for heating rabbits
. Because it is most important to provide heat during the night, opt for a red light bulb or ceramic heat emitter, which produces no visible light, to avoid stressing your rabbit with an unusual photo period.
Can pet bunnies live outside?
Yes, as long as your pet rabbits are healthy and have a hutch that will keep them warm and dry
, letting your bunnies stay outdoors for the winter months shouldn’t be a problem.
What do rabbits do in the winter?
During the winter, rabbits
take in more wood-based food sources, such as tree bark, twigs, and conifer needles
. Rabbits don’t hibernate, so they dig holes or find warm, closed-in spaces, in hollow logs, rock piles, and brush piles. But they don’t just eat plants.
