Looking After Your Pet Bunny in the Hot Weather

One of the great parts of having a pet rabbit is getting to pat their wonderfully soft and inviting fur coat. Unfortunately, in summer this beautiful fur can be a disadvantage in the hot Australian climate. Here are some tips on helping to keep your bunny cool and comfortable in the warm weather.

Keep them cool with fruit, vegetables and cool water

One of the important ways to help your rabbit is to make sure they have access to cold water and a range of cool fruit and vegetables to keep them hydrated. It can often be a good idea to add ice cubes into the water bowls in addition to offering a variety of interesting foods to keep them interested. 

Keep the hutch cool

You may find that you need to move the rabbit hutch into a cooler and more shaded position. If the hutch cannot be moved, you can consider moving your bunny inside to spend the day in a bathroom where they can be cool. You can bring in comfortable items like their food bowls, litter tray and blankets so that they can be comfortable inside.

It can also be a good idea to freeze water bottles and lay these inside the rabbit hutch or in the bathroom. These can be a nice place for a hot and stressed rabbit to lay on a hot day. 

Keep the bunny cool

Rabbits keep cool primarily through their ears, so it is a cool idea to mist their ears if they seem hot. You can also help the rabbit to lose any fur they are trying to shed by brushing them regularly. If you have a particularly fluffy rabbit, it can be worth looking at shaving the rabbit so that they are not as fluffy and do not retain as much heat. Your vet can help you to shave your rabbit in a way that leaves them enough fur to maintain their body heat at a comfortable level. 

If your rabbit does become overly lethargic and unresponsive, it is important to get help from a vet service quickly so that they can help your rabbit to stay healthy and hydrated. 

If you want specific advice on how to keep your animal cool and comfortable this summer you should chat with your vet. They can give you advice based on your breed of rabbit and their overall health and well-being. 

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