All living things feel the effect of the weather changing. People tend to get a bit excited or annoyed depending on the weather they like when it becomes too hot or cold. It is the same with bunnies.
However, as furry animals, rabbits prefer colder weather over a hot summer. They enjoy the crispness and windiness of the season. As a pet owner, winters can be challenging regarding your pet’s fragile health. You must keep an eye on your bunny in winter and research how to tell if a rabbit is cold.
Rabbits thrive in colder weather. However, they have a limit and can get sick if the temperature drops too much. There are behaviors and signs your bunny will exhibit if it is cold. Keep an eye on hypothermia and frostbite to avoid more significant catastrophes.
Bunnies cannot speak, but they are experts at exhibiting symptoms and signs when something is wrong. Keeping a keen eye on your pet during the winter can benefit you and your bunny. Read on to learn everything you need to know, from signs of a cold bunny to protecting your furry friend from adverse weather conditions.
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What Is A Dangerously Cold Temperature For Rabbits?
People have different temperature preferences and tolerance levels regarding cold atmospheres. Some might like a warm environment, while others enjoy a crisp chill. However, there is a universal limit to cold, after which every human gets uncomfortable and sick. It is the same with rabbits.
Rabbits have individual differences and preferences among different breeds. However, they all have similar cold tolerance as they are all fragile creatures.
Most adult bunnies stay A-okay until the temperature goes below 20 degrees Fahrenheit because their bodies are not tough enough to keep them warm. Furthermore, if exposed to harsh cold weather for too long, bunnies can experience hypothermia even at temperatures below 60 degrees Fahrenheit.
Every rabbit is different. Studying and observing your pet rabbit as the season changes is the best to understand better what temperature is perfect for your bunny to thrive and stay healthy.
Your Rabbit is Cold If It Exhibits These Signs
Animals cannot speak, but they have other ways of communicating with us. As a pet owner, you should learn your bunny’s body language and behavior to notice any changes to prevent any health issues. When your bunny is cold, it will exhibit the following signs:
- Your furry friend will have swollen and red eyes.
- There will be a loss in your rabbit’s appetite.
- The rabbit is not moving and active as much as it is on a typical day.
- Your bunny is showing symptoms of lethargy.
If you notice any of the signs mentioned above, you must provide warmth to your rabbit once to avoid any health issues and vet visits.
Too Much Cold Brings Plenty of Health Issues
As winter approaches, people begin to get sick. You hear a sneeze in every corner and a cough in every house. Animals are no different. If these voiceless creatures are left to suffer in the bitter cold, they become victims of severe health issues.
As a pet parent, you must look out for these ailments and try to prevent them. Your bunny can experience these severe health issues if it is not kept warm in the winter:
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Hypothermia
With hypothermia, your rabbit will not be able to regulate its body temperature and will succumb to winter harshness. Usually, a bunny catches hypothermia if it is living in dampness or has wet fur. Following are the signs of hypothermia in a rabbit:
- Less to no movement.
- Feet and ears are cold and pale.
- Your rabbit’s breathing is shallow.
- The animal has a weakened heartbeat.
- It does not interact with you as it used to.
If you believe your rabbit has hypothermia, bring it to a warmer space and wrap it in a towel while you call the vet for a checkup.
Snuffles
Rabbits are fragile creatures and get anxious quickly. Extreme cold makes your precious bunny stressed. Bunnies exhibit cold-like symptoms as a coping mechanism for their stress. It can be fatal if not treated immediately. Here are signs to look for:
- Excessive sneezing
- Watering eyes
- A runny and wet nose
- Matted fur on the front paws from wiping their eyes and nose too much
- Breathing difficulty
- Drooling
- Sores around the nose, eyes, and mouth
- Tilting head
- Loss of appetite and energy
If you notice these signs, your bunny has snuffles and requires medical attention.
Frostbite
If your rabbit stays in the chill of winter harshness for too long, it will develop frostbites that can be fatal. Bunnies regulate their temperature using their cute ears, so that is where the frostbite will appear first.
Check your precious furry friend’s ears for paleness, a blueish hue, or ice. If your rabbit’s ears have any of these, your bunny is too cold. Immediately warm your rabbit by bringing it near warmth, covering it up with a towel and blanket, and calling the vet at once.
Please do not use a dryer to instantly warm your pet, as it can cause blisters and burns on those fragile ears. Furthermore, frostbite can also occur on your bunny’s feet as the body will try to keep them warm to escape predators. Keep an eye on those too.
What Can You Do To Prevent Your Bunny From Getting Too Cold?
Bunnies love winters, but they dislike extreme temperatures. Your precious rabbit friend will be uncomfortable, frustrated, and anxious when it gets too cold. The harsh winter weather will create troubles for your furry baby, like freezing its water, which is unacceptable.
There are a few things you can do to ensure your rabbit has a warm and comfortable winter:
Change Your Rabbit’s Environment
If you feel like your rabbit is too cold in its current habitat, change its house. Bringing your outdoor rabbit inside your house will not be beneficial as your comfortable warmth will likely be too much for your precious rabbit.
Instead, it would be best if you took it to your garage or a shed to shelter them from the crispy cold. Rabbits have thick fur coats and do not need extra warmth. These animals love winters and need above-freezing temperatures to avoid health issues.
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Protect The Hutch
Winter can get pretty damp. A rabbit’s hutch is made of wood and can soak water. It will create a sticky, humid and cold environment for your rabbit.
To avoid that, you should cover your rabbit’s hutch with a tarp and block any extra ventilation points while keeping a few open for fresh air. Make sure to shelter your rabbit’s hutch from any rain and fog.
Wrap Your Bunnies For Extra Coziness
The best way to keep your rabbit warm in its cabinet is to provide your precious pet with a warm blanket covered with waterproof material. It will keep your bunny cozy while it stays in its familiar hutch. You can also put carpet in your rabbit’s home to conceal warmth inside it.
Add Exercise To Your Rabbit’s Schedule
The movement will help your bunny generate heat and maintain its body temperature. Give your bunny extended playtime in a warm space. Create new tunnels and introduce new tricks for your bunny to exercise and have fun.
Apart from keeping your rabbit warm, spending time with your furry friend will prevent your bunny from going into winter depression.
Prepare For Winter Nutrition
People eat more to keep themselves warm during winter. We also drink coffee, tea, and other hot drinks for extra help. However, bunnies cannot indulge in hot drinks for that extra kick of warmth and coziness.
As a pet owner, you must care for your rabbit’s diet during winter. Bunnies need more food than usual to generate body heat. Give your unlimited hay and extra pellets to your rabbit during the colder days.
Be careful with your rabbit’s water. Freezing temperatures can cause the water to solidify, resulting in a dehydrated bunny rabbit. To avoid that, use a bowl or an insulating water carrier for your precious furry friend. Keep an eye on your rabbit’s weight while giving it extra food; you do not want an obese bunny.
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Final Words
Protecting your furry rabbit is your responsibility. As a pet owner, you must do everything possible to make your bunny’s winter as warm and cozy. Keeping a rabbit warm does not require too much money.
You can utilize things from your house to warm your rabbit’s hutch. Plus, if you are too anxious about your rabbit catching a cold outdoors, make a transition at the beginning of the weather change.
As soon as the fall weather hits, bring your rabbit indoors so it can adjust to the warmth without getting shocked or sick. Give your bunny lots of cuddles and snuggles to keep its heart warm through the winter!