In winter, it is very important to keep rabbits safe and warm. Cold air can cause health problems, such as flu and respiratory infections. You should aim to create a warm area for the rabbit and make sure it gets enough water and exercise. Take some precautions, such as avoiding the use of electric blankets, to prevent injuries and accidents.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Creating a Warm Environment
Step 1. Make adjustments to your rabbit's cage
During winter, your rabbit should stay warm. You will need to make some adjustments to the cage to ensure it remains habitable for the rabbit.
- If possible, the easiest adjustment to make is to move the cage to another warmer area. If you can bring it into a warm room or garage, that's ideal.
- Check the space in the cage wall. It is not uncommon for rain and other weather conditions to damage the cage. Wood can also turn old and rot. If there is damage, provide rabbit-safe wood veneer. You can also line the cage with newspaper to prevent cold air from entering through the cracks.
- If the rabbit cage has a mesh door, cover it with clear plastic wrap. This allows the rabbit to peek through the cage door while preventing cold air from entering. However, don't forget to leave a small space at the bottom so that the ventilation remains good.
Step 2. Insulate the rabbit cage
You will need to insulate the rabbit hutch for the winter. To do this, place a few sheets of newspaper and a warm blanket on the roof. After that, cover it with an outdoor tarp. Apart from storing heat and keeping the cage warm, it can also prevent snow or rain from hitting your rabbit.
Step 3. Provide a warm mattress
Rabbits need a warm mattress all year round, especially in winter. There is usually a box in the rabbit's cage with an inlet so the rabbit can climb in and out. You can buy a bunny bed at a pet store or online. You can also make it out of cardboard.
- During winter, line the floor and walls of the bunny bed with newspaper. This will help insulate the mattress and keep the rabbit warm.
- Put a lot of mattress material in the sleeping area. You can use dust-free straw as a mattress. Don't give the bunny a blanket on the bed. Rabbits may chew on blankets, which can block their digestive tract.
Step 4. Add the straw
When trying to keep a rabbit warm, hay is one of the best materials. Spread the hay in the cage. Stack hay at the end of the cage, add insulation, and place some hay in the rabbit's sleeping area. Change the hay every few days. Rabbits can pee on hay and you don't want them to sleep on damp material.
Method 2 of 3: Taking Care of Rabbits
Step 1. Make sure the water bottle and feeding tray are not frozen
In winter water bottles and food containers can freeze. This will deprive the rabbit of the water it needs during the winter.
- Check the water bottle and bowl several times. If it freezes, replace it as soon as possible.
- Insulating with a water bottle can reduce the risk of freezing. You can wrap the water bottle in an old towel. You can also buy water bottles specially designed for winter. This product usually uses a special material that is able to keep it warm.
- Be sure to stock up on plenty of spare bottles. Plastic bottles are generally more prone to cracking in winter. You don't want your rabbit to be left without water as a result of the bottle breaking.
Step 2. Dry the rabbit if it is playing in the snow
If your rabbit sometimes plays outdoors, it may get wet in the snow. You'll want to make sure the rabbit is dry before putting it back in the cage. Dry the rabbit with a towel. If it's still wet, let it warm up indoors. Let it dry inside. Do not place it in front of a heater to dry yourself.
Step 3. Keep the rabbits in pairs
If you have more than one rabbit, try keeping them in pairs in the winter. This will allow them to socialize while keeping the rabbit warm. Rabbits can cuddle with each other in winter to warm themselves.
- If you haven't introduced rabbits to each other yet, take the time to go through the introduction process before winter. Rabbits may need time to get comfortable with other rabbits. Make your first introductions in a neutral area, such as in a room in your house. Rabbits guard their territory so well that putting them together with other rabbits in the same cage can cause problems.
- Introduce the rabbit 20 minutes at a time. During a fight, separate the rabbit and try again in an hour. You can use water bottles to break up fights.
- Keep the rabbits making eye contact with each other when not interacting. Once you seem comfortable with each other in a neutral space, you can try briefly cooping them together. In the end, you can move your rabbit to the same cage for the long term.
- Some rabbits will still not get along, no matter how hard you try. If your rabbit keeps fighting, it's best not to put the cage together. If rabbits turn aggressive or try to defend their territory, they can injure each other.
Step 4. Clean the cage regularly during winter
As the weather gets cooler, make sure you clean the cage regularly. Urine can cause mattresses, hay, and grass to become damp and even freeze. This can cause health problems if not taken care of properly. Clean the pile of urine from the rabbit's cage daily and pay special attention to the bedding.
Method 3 of 3: Taking Precautions
Step 1. Be careful when wearing a heated blanket
There are many pet stores that sell blankets to keep rabbits warm during the winter. If you want to use it, be careful. Don't just leave the bunny with the electric blanket unattended. There is a risk of electric shock if the rabbit chews on the wires. It can also start a fire if ignited near straw, newspaper, or other flammable material.
Step 2. Keep the baby rabbit indoors
The baby rabbit's body temperature should be at 38 °C. It's almost impossible to keep a baby rabbit warm outside during the winter. If you have a baby rabbit, keep it indoors for safety.
- The first 10 days in a rabbit's life are crucial. If the temperature is below 10 °C, it is very difficult for the baby rabbit to keep warm and survive.
- Do not let rabbits mate all winter. However, if the rabbit gives birth in winter, you will need to bring the mother and baby indoors.
Step 3. Make sure your rabbit is exercising throughout the winter
Rabbits do not hibernate in the wild. The period of inactivity during the winter is not natural for them. Therefore, you should take steps to ensure that your rabbit stays mobile in the winter.
- Consider bringing your rabbit into the house just to play. This will prevent the fur from getting wet with snow. If you have a rabbit safe room at home, bring the animal a few times a week so it can run and play there.
- However, be careful and don't let your rabbit spend too much time indoors. The rabbit's fur gets thicker in winter to protect itself from the cold. If a rabbit that is used to being outside enters the house, its fur may fall out. This puts him at risk for various health problems.
Step 4. Watch for signs of health problems
With a good deterrent, your rabbit will feel safe and healthy through the winter. However, be on the lookout for signs of a health problem. If your rabbit has a cold or breathing problems, it should be taken to the vet and left indoors. Watch for the following signs:
- Discharge from the nose
- The appearance of stains like dirt around the nose
- Fluid discharge from the eye
- Breath sounds loud.
