People love the winter and fall seasons. There are plenty of things to rejoice like a pumpkin spice latte, Halloween, pies, Christmas, snow, and cuddling with your pet. Cold seasons are a wonderful time of the year, even for animals.
Your furry friends love a little chill in the atmosphere as they have thick coats of fur to keep them warm all year. However, winter nights are colder than the days. If you have a bunny, you might be worried because of its fragility. So, do rabbits get cold at night?
Yes, depending on the temperature and shelter quality, rabbits can get cold at night. Not all bunnies get cold at night. However, taking a risk is not advised. Building a proper shelter and regularly measuring your rabbit’s temperature during winter can help you maintain a healthy bunny.
Rabbits can keep themselves warm like cats. They have a thick fur coat and use piloerection – goosebumps – to keep themselves warm during tough winter nights.
As a pet owner, however, giving the best living conditions to your rabbit is your responsibility. Keep reading to learn more about cold nights and your bunny!
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Rabbits Love Cold Weather
Due to their thick fur, rabbits have a hard time during the summer. They are more prone to skin allergies, matting, and excessive heating. In hotter weather, you need to provide ways to keep your bunny cool, which can be expensive and heavy on your electricity bills. However, the thick fur of a rabbit provides benefits in the winter.
Rabbits thrive in the cold season, as they can roam free without worrying about sweating or feeling too hot because of their furriness.
You must have noticed your precious bunny is a bit too excited and hyperactive when the weather is nice. The cold weather makes your rabbit feel lighter, fresher, and happier as a kid on Halloween.
What is Too Cold for Your Furry Friend?
People have varied cold tolerance due to individual differences. Some feel cold at a tiny dip in the temperature, others not so much. It is the same for animals. Cats and rabbits do not feel cold quickly. However, due to their fragile bones and bodies, you must be careful with bunnies during the cold season.
Temperature below 20 degrees Fahrenheit or -6 degrees Celcius is dangerous for your rabbit. Your bunny will not be able to keep itself warm in these temperatures. Rabbits are not entirely cold-blooded animals. Some rabbits start experiencing health issues and hypothermia at 16 degrees Celcius outdoor temperature.
If you have an outdoor bunny, keep its hutch’s temperature in mind. An atmosphere that is too hot can also cause trouble for your precious furry friend. A bunny’s fur can help it regulate its body temperature to a limited extent; the rest is up to you.
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How to Tell If Your Furry Rabbit is Cold?
When you have a baby, you have to make an extra effort to see if it is comfortable and cozy. A child cannot tell you when it is hot or cold. People check their baby’s feet and nose to see if it needs an extra blanket or a speedy fan. It is the same with rabbits.
Bunnies are voiceless creatures and cannot tell if they feel cold. As a pet owner, you must observe your precious rabbit’s behavior. A rabbit’s body is reactive to things around it due to its high sensitivity. You need to be familiar with your rabbit’s average body and behavior, and it will be easy to prevent any severe circumstances due to cold or other issues.
There are sure signs that your precious furry baby will exhibit when it is cold and uncomfortable. Look out for the following things to bring ease to a cold bunny:
- If your precious pet feels cold, your bunny’s eyes will become red and swollen.
- There will be a dip in your rabbit’s appetite due to unpleasant cold weather conditions.
- Too much cold can make your bunny lethargic. Your bunny will move less and stay in one place for more extended periods to conserve energy.
- You will observe an increase in the frequency of your bunny’s sneezing.
- Your rabbit may show signs of a runny nose.
- People go through seasonal depression. So do rabbits. If your rabbit feels too cold, it will show signs of depression.
- Fur covers every part of a bunny besides its ears, nose, and paw beans. Your furry pet’s nose can be cold all year due to its breath. However, the ears and paw beans only get cold when your rabbit is chilly.
If you notice your poor rabbit showing any of the above signs, help your pet get warmer. Furthermore, if the signs are persistent, contact your vet and book an appointment as soon as possible.
How To Keep Your Furry Bunny Rabbit Warm During Nighttime?
Wild rabbits have the survival instinct of fighting the weather with their bodily changes and the ability to use their surroundings as a shelter. However, that is not the case with domesticated rabbits. Your pet solely relies on you to keep it warm during a cold night.
A rabbit’s hutch is not the same as a burrow underground. It is exposed to rain, wind, and other external factors of the winter atmosphere. You are responsible for insulating and protecting your rabbit’s hutch during winter.
Here are a few things you can do to keep your bunny safe during the cold:
Fill Your Rabbit’s House With Straw
Straw can provide more heat than hay, so filling your bunny’s hutch with it is best. Always mix in the hay so your little grazing pet can eat whenever it wants.
Create Hiding Places
Bunnies love to hide and create their nests. Provide your furry pet with cardboard boxes, nest boxes, or other hideout places. It will make your pet extremely happy and excited.
Elevate Their Nests
It would be best if you raised their resting place from the ground and placed newspaper under it. It will give an insulating effect and keep the nest warm.
Use Pet Carriers Often
Pet carriers are not only great for vet visits but also for keeping your pet cozy and warm. Add a little hay and blanket in there, and it is a perfect cozy nest for your bunny to snuggle.
Cardboard Is The Best Insulator
Covering your bunny’s hutch with cardboard can work wonders for you as it will keep your rabbit’s home warm. Be careful to leave ventilation points to avoid suffocation.
Protect From Adverse Environmental Factors
Cover your rabbit’s hutch with plastic sheets or tarps to protect it from rain, wind, and fog. These winter elements can leave your rabbit’s cozy home damp and cold, resulting in a sick and depressed bunny.
It is best to bring your rabbit indoors if the temperature outside is too low. However, if you cannot do that, carry out the above-mentioned protective steps, and your bunny should thrive through the winter.
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What Should You Do If Your Bunny Catches A Cold?
If you notice that your bunny has caught a cold, warm it instantly and call your vet. While you book an appointment with your vet, take care of your precious bunny. Snuggle with your furry friend to generate warmth.
Plus, wrap it in a small blanket and keep your rabbit away from damp and cold spots. Give it head rubs and loads of love to show that it is not alone to avoid falling into depression.
Final Words
Rabbits are sensitive animals and require a lot of attention and care. Before you get a pet rabbit, ensure that you are ready for the responsibility of raising a fragile pet. Bunnies are not only physically fragile but also emotionally sensitive.
Your pet rabbit will get depressed when it gets physically sick. To prevent your bunny from depression, you must do everything possible to avoid any sickness. On cold winter nights, try to keep your precious furry friend indoors and away from harsh weather.
If you cannot do that, insulate your rabbit’s hutch carefully and to the maximum to protect it from the cold and dampness of the night. Your pet relies on you to protect and love it. You need to bring your a-game during the winter.