Heat & Cold

Heat

Bunnies can die from temps above 78° -- Frozen water bottles only help bunnies for longer than a few minutes in a warm room if the bottles are at least gallon size and frozen solid. Below is a an ice block made from a kitty litter jug. To create a cold-house, put it inside of a huge cardboard box that has ample space around the block (CHEWY delivery boxes of wee-pads and bedding in bulk are the cold houses of choice here). If you have tile squares, use those in the box as well.

PLEASE DO EVERYTHING POSSIBLE TO KEEP YOUR BUNNIES COOL & COMFORTABLE IN WARM MONTHS. If you don't, your bunnies are at HIGH RISK of suffering from dehydration, diarrhea, heart attack, heat stroke, or death.

HERE ARE OUR RECOMMENDATIONS:

• KEEP THE AIR CONDITIONERS &/OR FANS ON. Constantly monitor your bunnies' living areas so that they do NOT exceed 78-80 degrees. **Note that the fans or A/C vents should NOT blow directly onto the bunnies as this can cause discomfort and ear problems for them.
• KEEP THE BUNNIES INDOORS. Keep bunnies cool and comfortable by keeping them indoors and out of sunlight.
• AVOID TRANSPORTING BUNNIES IN CARS. Avoid any unnecessary travel/transport of bunnies during these hot days. If you MUST transport to the Vet or elsewhere make sure your A/C is ON, bunnies are in a Carrier AWAY from direct sunlight. Also put a frozen water bottle in the carrier.
• HAVE MANY FROZEN WATER BOTTLES READY & PUT THEM ON THE FLOOR WITH BUNNIES. Small frozen water bottles are useless after a few minutes -- please use larger. This gives bunnies much needed relief and they can lay next to them to bring their body temperature down.
• LAY CERAMIC TILES IN THE BUNNIES LIVING SPACE. You can buy ceramic tiles from the local hardware store for cheap. These can be refrigerated/frozen first and you can lay them in your bunnies' living area so they can lay on them which helps cool them down.
• INCREASE VEGETABLE SERVINGS & SERVE THEM FRESHLY WASHED. Give bunnies extra wet veggies to increase their water intake.

Cold

Domestic bunnies are indoor-only companion animals who prefer cool rooms to warm. But never expose bunnies to the cold. They are not related to wild bunnies and have low tolerance for extreme temperatures or dramatic temperature fluctuation. Please provide them a spacious indoor area with plenty of comfort items such as cushioned floor-covering as well as throw blankets for digging and burrowing. Provide hide-y houses that can further shield them from drafts.

Please see our HOUSING page for an easy set-up to reference.

Remember -- if you are uncomfortable, then so are they. Although much more affected by warm months, they need protection from cold months just as we do.

Thanks for being great bunny parents!