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Summers can get very hot, particularly for animals like rabbits that are covered in fur. This heat can cause overheating or even heatstroke if not attended to promptly and properly. It's important to keep your rabbit cool during the summer, so move down to Step 1 to find out more.

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EditSteps

  1. 1
    Observe your rabbit to see if he/she is overheated. An overheated rabbit will have the following symptoms:[1]
    • Wet fur below the nose
    • Heavy and fast breathing, almost like panting
    • Sprawled on the floor
    • Very red and hot ears
    • Inactive and not as alert as usual
    • Eyes may be half closed
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  2. Keep Pet Rabbits Cool During the Summer Step 1.jpg
    2
    Make sure your rabbit cage is out of the sun. Cover any windows with blinds and curtains if necessary. If this doesn't make a difference, consider moving the cage to the coolest part of the house, which may for some people be the basement.
  3. Keep Pet Rabbits Cool During the Summer Step 2.jpg
    3
    Keep the room air conditioned. This will keep the whole room cool enough to be comfortable, which will prevent your rabbit from overheating. Make sure, however, that the AC isn't on too high. - You want the room to be comfortable, not sub-Arctic.
  4. Keep Pet Rabbits Cool During the Summer Step 3.jpg
    4
    Use fans to cool your rabbit. Position a cordless desk fan so that it blows inside the rabbit cage. This will create a breeze to cool your rabbit down. Make sure that your rabbit can escape from the force of the fan if it gets too cold.
    • Another option is to have a circulating ceiling fan cool off your rabbit and the room.
  5. Keep Pet Rabbits Cool During the Summer Step 4.jpg
    5
    Put some ice packs underneath your rabbit cage. This will cool the bottom of the cage. You can also freeze a water bottle and place that inside the cage to create a cool spot for the rabbit to lie against when too hot.
  6. Keep Pet Rabbits Cool During the Summer Step 5.jpg
    6
    Lightly mist your rabbit with water or a rubbing alcohol/water solution. Mix 1 part 50% rubbing alcohol and 3 parts water in a spray bottle; then spritz the solution on the outside of the rabbit's ears and on the top of the paws. Wet them well and the evaporation will cool the rabbit tremendously. (The alcohol just speeds evaporation.)
    • Use this method if the rabbit seems extremely over-heated. Never apply ice directly to a rabbit to cool him or her and make sure not to get the water/alcohol solution in inside the ear.
    • Pay attention to your rabbit's ears. If they're red, your rabbit is likely too hot, so use this tactic. Rabbits cool themselves with their ears, so observing the ears is a good way to tell if he or she is hot.
  7. Keep Pet Rabbits Cool During the Summer Step 6.jpg
    7
    Have a wet towel hang over top of your rabbit cage.
  8. Keep Pet Rabbits Cool During the Summer Step 7.jpg
    8
    Make small ice cubes to place in your rabbit's water bottle. Always make sure he/she has fresh cool water.
  9. Keep Pet Rabbits Cool During the Summer Step 8.jpg
    9
    Brush your rabbit's fur to rid it of any excess fur. If your rabbit is shedding, extra fur can provide another layer of insulation that will keep your rabbit warmer than necessary.
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EditTips

  • Try out a few different steps above and see which ones work best for your rabbit. It isn't necessary to do all of them unless it is extremely hot out or you have an outdoor rabbit that is exposed to more heat.
  • Cover the floor fan with a wet towel to cool your rabbit down even more.
  • If you need to take your rabbit to the vet, or you are traveling with your rabbit, place ice packs underneath the carrying cage or place a damp towel on top. Having the water bottle in the carrying cage will also help your rabbit stay cool when traveling.
  • Keep rabbits indoors as much as possible during hot days.
  • Make sure that your rabbit is drinking during hot days. Rabbits can easily get dehydrated.
    • Give your rabbit veggies to help keep him/her hydrated.

EditWarnings

  • If your rabbit gets heat stroke, take your rabbit to the veterinarian immediately.
  • Older rabbits (ages 5+) are more susceptible to heat stroke, especially if they are overweight or inactive.
  • Do not submerge your rabbit in any water. This may shock or drown your rabbit.

EditThings You'll Need

  • Air Conditioning (optional)
  • Cordless desk fan
  • Damp towels
  • Small ice cubes
  • Ice packs
  • Frozen water bottles (Gatorade bottles or empty pop/soda bottles filled with water work as well)
  • Spray bottles filled with cool water
  • Rubbing alcohol (isopropyl alcohol)

EditRelated wikiHows

How to
Cool Your Cat Down in the Summer

How to
Care for a House Rabbit

How to
Keep Pet Rabbits Safe

EditSources and Citations

  1. ↑ http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&A=502&S=5

Article Info

Categories: Rabbit Health

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