When the cold, wet weather hits, it’s important to make sure your rabbits can stay warm, dry, healthy and safe.
In the wild, rabbits live underground in burrows, where temperatures don’t vary as much as they do above ground. But pet rabbits can be exposed to wind, rain and extreme cold – so depend on their owners to keep them warm and dry. Here’s what you need to know about how to keep rabbits warm during the winter.
Here’s a handy checklist covering everything you’ll need to consider when preparing your rabbits for winter:
To tick all these points off, follow the instructions below.
Even when it’s cold, your rabbits need space to run around, so never lock them in their hutch. Being able to move around freely will also help your rabbits stay warm. Inspect all latches and bolts on the hutch and run, replacing any that look rusty or weak.
Check their run for signs of rust or weak areas of wire, where a predator could squeeze through. If you find any weak spots, cover the hutch and run with 6G (1.6mm-thick) wire mesh for reinforcement. Make sure there are no tacks or nails sticking out.
If possible, move the hutch and run closer to the house, so you can easily nip out and check on your rabbits. When repositioning it, make sure it’s out of the wind as much as possible.
You can buy rabbit hutch covers for winter – these are waterproof with a transparent, roll-down section for the front. This allows for good ventilation but also means you can roll the front section up on dry, sunny days.
You can also use practical, homemade insulation methods, like adding Perspex sheets (so your rabbit can still see out) to give some protection from the weather. If you do this, be sure to leave some gaps around the edges for ventilation.
You can also cover the outside of the hutch with silver-backed mats. If the weather drops below zero, wrapping an old blanket or duvet around the hutch for extra warmth is a good temporary fix.
If you don’t have a rabbit hutch cover, a good-quality tarpaulin can also be used. Make sure it has eyelets that you can pull over the hutch. Secure these around the hutch with rope or cable ties when it’s very cold, wet or windy. If your rabbits live in a shed, you can add commercial wall insulation boards to the inside walls of the shed.
Rabbits need a deep bedding of straw, but you can create a warmer winter hutch for rabbits by adding a layer of pulped paper or paper pellets underneath. Avoid using hay as your rabbits’ primary bedding material, because it doesn’t provide as much insulation as straw.
If you place a straw-filled cardboard box in your rabbits’ hutch, this gives them another warm place to sleep and is easy to replace. You can also put a couple of these in the run.
Make sure you clean the hutch regularly, so your rabbits are never sitting on damp, soiled bedding. To make this quicker and easier, place a small litter tray in one corner of the hutch or run, and fill this with shavings or pulped paper. Anything that’s non-chewable will work, like a good-quality tray or lid.
Ideally, your rabbits’ sleeping quarters should remain at around 10°C. If the temperature is set to drop below 0°C, your rabbits may need extra help to stay warm overnight. A small, chew-proof heat pad is ideal for them to sit on, but make sure you give them a choice by offering somewhere to sleep without a heat pad, too. Remember that your bunnies will also get body heat from each other.
If you’re worried about your rabbits’ water freezing overnight, place a heat pad under their water dish, and make a few more checks than normal.
Rabbits are hardy, so if their hutch is well prepared, they should be able to stay warm over winter. But if it’s extremely cold and you decide to bring your rabbits indoors, a shed or garage is the best choice. Outdoor rabbits may overheat if you bring them fully indoors, and find the new sights and sounds stressful.
If your rabbit shows signs of illness or discomfort over the winter, speak to your vet for advice. If you have rabbit insurance with Petplan, you can also access our free Pet Expert Chat service to connect with veterinary professionals, 24/7. Simply log into your My Petplan account and go to My Support.
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