Is your rabbit too cold this winter?
January 29, 2024
Vet Darren Partridge has put together this valuable guidance for rabbit owners in Surrey on ensuring the winter well-being of their lively companions, offering insights into how to keep them warm and content.
Feel free to share this helpful advice among fellow rabbit enthusiasts by sharing our article on your social media platforms. If you’d personalised guidance for your rabbit, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at 0208 979 1384, where our team are here to help.
Contact our team for personalised winter rabbit advice
How to tell if your rabbit is feeling the cold
- Shivering: The occurrence of shivering or trembling in your rabbit serves as a clear indicator that they are experiencing cold temperatures. Shivering is a natural reflex aimed at generating heat as the body responds to the chilly environment.
- Hunched posture: When feeling cold, rabbits often adopt a hunched posture, keeping their bodies close to the ground. This posture minimises heat loss.
- Cold ears & feet: A recommendation from Darren is to check your rabbit’s ears and feet; if they feel cold to the touch, it indicates that your rabbit is too cold. Cold extremities may suggest discomfort and poor circulation.
- Huddling: Rabbits tend to huddle together or curl into a ball to conserve body heat when feeling cold. Frequent adoption of this behaviour signals their attempt to stay warm and comfortable.
- Seeking warmth: Actively searching for warm spots within their enclosure, such as snuggling next to a heated water bottle or seeking shelter, clearly signifies your rabbit’s effort to combat the cold.
- Reduced activity: Cold weather can induce lethargy in rabbits. If you observe a decrease in your rabbit’s activity or notice them appearing sluggish, it may be an indication that they are feeling the cold.
- Change in eating & drinking habits: Cold temperatures may cause rabbits to eat and drink less, as their bodies conserve energy to stay warm. Darren emphasises the importance of monitoring your rabbit’s food and water consumption, as decreased intake can escalate into an emergency. If you have concerns, contact us at 0208 979 1384.
Ways to keep your rabbit warm during winter
- Move your rabbit’s hutch or cage indoors if possible, or consider relocating it to a garage or shed to shield them from the coldest weather in Surrey.
- Ensure their enclosure is adequately insulated, particularly in their sleeping area. You can also wrap your rabbit’s abode in blankets or a duvet, making sure it remains well-ventilated.
- Additional straw and hay will contribute to warmth and insulation in your rabbit’s enclosure.
- Microwaveable heat pads and well-insulated hot water bottles can be beneficial when temperatures plummet, but exercise caution when using these. It’s advisable to position them on the exterior of your rabbit’s housing to prevent any chewing through the casing.
- Restrict outdoor play during extremely cold weather and ensure your rabbit has access to sheltered areas during their limited playtime.
Your rabbit may require more calories during colder months to facilitate heat generation – our team can offer guidance on this. Contact us at 0208 979 1384 to discuss your rabbit’s winter care & nutritional needs.
It is crucial to strike a healthy balance between providing warmth but also the necessary ventilation. Regularly monitoring your rabbits for signs of cold and making adjustments to their environment as needed will help to keep your rabbit healthy, happy and snuggly warm this winter.
Share this advice with other rabbit owners on your socials and lets help bunnies across Surrey have a happy and healthy winter.
