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Rabbits will also switch to a winter diet which includes more grains and fatty foods. Some domestic rabbits do have fur that could keep them warm but some dont have such thick coatings.
Keep a watchful eye on the weight of your rabbit.
Keeping outdoor bunnies warm in winter. If you raise your bunnies in an outdoor hutch You could keep rabbits warm in winter by transferring them into the indoor cages or repairing and insulated the hutch providing a heating pad heater or heat lamp warm bedding and comfortable cage flooring. Keeping rabbits warm outside in winter. It is important rabbit owners do whatever they can to ensure their pets are safe and warm during cold weather snaps as domesticated rabbits are not as efficient at keeping themselves warm as their wild counterparts.
In the wild rabbits live in burrows underground usually in groups to keep themselves warm. First they will stop shedding and will grow a thick winter coat. Rabbits will also switch to a winter diet which includes more grains and fatty foods.
These foods help a bunny to build up a layer of protective fat that will help to keep them warm. Rabbits prefer cooler temperatures to warmer ones. Your rabbits should have free access to their run at all times even in the winter and never be locked in their hutch.
They need exercise every day and being able to move around also helps them to keep warm. Some basic DIY jobs can help fox-proof the rabbit hutch. Replace any swivel catches on the hutch door with bolts.
Ideally bunny rabbits like temperatures of around 60 degrees Fahrenheit and although they can cope with much colder temperatures there are certain things you can do as a rabbit owner to make your pets more comfortable and warmer if they live outside in the winter. Protecting Hutches From the Elements. Keeping a rabbit warm in winter has more to do with keeping her dry rather than placing her inside an insulated or heated structure.
Rabbits add fat and grow fur as their natural protection against the elements. If youre keeping your pet outside during very cold temperatures a snug winter rabbit hutch will ensure she stays warm and dry. Outdoor rabbits in cold weather.
In the wild rabbits live in underground warrens where the temperature does not vary much around 10C between winter and summer. Pet rabbits dont have this luxury so owners must make sure their rabbits have permanent access to a sleeping area that is kept constantly sufficiently warm dry and draught free. The following are tips that are helpful in keeping your bunnies warm and cosy in the winter.
Keep a watchful eye on the weight of your rabbit. However some rabbits actually need to be fed more during the winter season mainly to help them cope with the additional calories they burn in the process of keeping warm. Due to laziness the frosty level becomes increases during the winter so exercising is the most effective way to keep their body warm.
In this case you can attach the runway with a rabbit hutch. Below are some useful tips on this issue. Make sure the runway is suitable for exercise.
It must be in a dry place. The rotting wood can also leak out heat and freeze your rabbit during winter. The dampening wood can also make the living space of your bunny wet.
That is a sure way to kill your bunny. Raising the floor of the hutch is a good way of preventing dampness preserving the structure from rotting and keeping rabbits warm in winter outside. Keeping Rabbits Warm in Winter Outside.
You can take several steps to keep outdoor rabbits stay safe throughout the winter. Ensure that your rabbits hutch has a reliable dry and secure roof. Insulate your rabbits hutch.
This will keep the interior warm and dry. Place a cover over the door to your rabbits hutch. Some domestic rabbits do have fur that could keep them warm but some dont have such thick coatings.
Therefore the best way to keep them warm is to let them stay inside your home. Just focus on keeping your home at a temperature of 32 F because thats ideal for them. Plus they dont hibernate at all during winter.
If your area gets that cold youll need more robust shelter for your rabbits in winter than a basic outdoor hutch or colony. How To Care For Rabbits In Winter Make Sure They Have Water. The biggest concern for rabbits in cold weather is keeping their water liquid.
Most people choose to carry out warm water twice a day to their rabbits. How to keep rabbits warm in the winter. While thick rabbit fur and their natural instincts can do a great job at keeping rabbits warm they still arent made for extreme winter weather.
In the wild these rabbits would have been able to find shelter underground but if your rabbit is outside in winter they wont have that kind of protection. Outdoor bunnies regulate their body heat by growing a thick coat for the winter and moulting in preparation for the hot months of summer. A pet rabbit thats spent its life indoors will not have done that because indoor temperature is pretty constant.
Make winter warmer. With a properly insulated and protected home rabbits can withstand the winter cold although you may consider just keeping them inside at least at.