How to care for your rabbits in hot weather

Creating a cool environment for your rabbits will help them feel comfortable and happy. It’s a surefire way of protecting them from heat-related illnesses including heatstroke.

• If you can, it’s worth moving outdoor enclosures including hutches and runs to a shaded part of your garden.
• Create as much extra shade as you can throughout the day. You could put up a garden parasol over their outdoor enclosure, a gazebo or a white sheet.
• Don’t forget the sun will move throughout the day so keep an eye on your rabbits to make sure they’re not exposed.
• Make sure your rabbits’ enclosure has plenty of airflow to provide a nice breeze.
• Ensure that the enclosure has plenty of airflow, and isn’t trapping in heat. If your rabbits are housed in a converted shed, large hutch or indoor room and it’s safe to do so, it might be worth putting on a fan. Just make sure any wires are tucked away or covered using cable pipe protectors so your rabbits can’t nibble through them.
• Replenishing your rabbits’ hutch with fresh, fluffy piles of hay will allow your rabbits to burrow inside to keep cool. It’s also worth covering tunnels so they don’t get too hot.
• Keep your bunnies hydrated throughout the day with shallow bowls of fresh water and forage for them to munch.
• Fill a couple of large trays with soil, rabbits love to have a dig, stretch out and cool off in soil. You could provide large card boxes with dig trays inside to act as a shaded burrow.
• Summer weather brings an increase in flys! Try and keep them away by regularly cleaning out your rabbits’ enclosure. Removing poo will prevent flystrike.
• Place bottles of frozen water or cold, damp tea towels around your enclosure. Your rabbits will enjoy laying beside them for some much-needed relief.
• For long-haired rabbit breeds, keep their fur clipped short and move them inside to a cool room during the hottest parts of the day.

We hope these tips will help keep your furry friends cool and happy! For any other advice, visit our website or give us a call, we’re here for both pets and their people.