Helping Your Bunny Keep His Cool in the Summer Heat
As the weather in many parts of the world heats up, it is a good time to give a little thought to keeping your rabbit cool, especially if they spend a good deal of time outdoors. A wild rabbit is free to go wherever it wants, so can seek out shade or heat as they see fit. A pet bunny’s environment is controlled solely by the owner, so your bunny is depending on you to make sure they don’t get overheated.
The Perfect Temperature
Rabbits do best in a coolish environment, somewhere around 55 degrees Fahrenheit is ideal. A rabbit’s physical make up does not allow it to pant a lot to cool off, like a dog will, and they do not sweat. Rabbits with long ears have an advantage over their lop eared counterparts, as the ears do provide act as a sort of cooling mechanism, but not a very efficient one. Overheating in rabbits can be a serious problem, even resulting in death.
How to tell if Your Rabbit is Suffering in the Heat
If on a warm day your rabbit becomes very lethargic, or lies down, breathes heavily and tries to pant, these are all good indicators that he is too hot. If you do observe these symptoms it is very important to act quickly. He should be taken to a cooler area or room, and misted with water and wrapped in a damp towel.
If your bunny still does not seem to be improving, you can run cool, not cold, water all over his body, taking are to avoid his head. Once he seems to be feeling a little better, treat your rabbit as you would for shock. Have the rabbit lie in a cool, darkened area, with easy access to plenty of drinking water. If he does not return to his usual habits within a day or so, a visit to the vet is called for.
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