Provide both a bowl and bottle of water and add ice cubes to keep them cool- rabbits can get a bigger drink out of a bowl. Check the spout of the water bottle daily to make sure it is working properly. We do not advise giving them frozen treats or ice cubes because they can cause intestinal problems.
Instead, try freezing a large bottle of water or ice packs and wrapping them in an old, clean tea towel and place in the hutch. That way, if your rabbits feel hot, they can lie next to the bottle to keep cool.
Ros says: 'Even though rabbits only sweat through their feet and tongue, a cool drink will make them feel better. Some will find it helpful to lie in a water dish. Rabbits can access a lot more fluid from a bowl than a bottle so provide both to give a choice. Check and refill them throughout the day.
Bowls are better than bottles as lapping from a bowl is more natural to rabbits. The spout of bottles can easily get clogged, and will freeze in winter if your rabbit lives outside. Bowls will not get blocked, but they may get spilled or knocked over so it's a good idea to provide a bowl and a bottle if you can.
Rabbit certainly love cool things. They snuggle up to them and lick them. Giving them cool things like ice cubes, particularly during summertime, is a good idea. Your bunny will surely enjoy playing with ice cubes.
Temperatures below 20 degrees Fahrenheit may be too cold for rabbits and you will need to take some extra precautions to keep your rabbit comfortable outdoors at these temperatures.
The signs of an unhappy rabbit
Pulling at their fur and over-grooming - or not grooming at all. A change in feeding or toilet habits. Drinking a lot more. Repeated circling or pacing up and down.
Body heat: Rabbits regulate body temperature by their ears. Very cold or hot ears could indicate a fever or a drop in body temperature.
Rabbits need a contrast of light and darkness. A rabbit that lives in constant light can experience stress. In addition, their eyes can be damaged, and they'll gain weight. Provide a dark area for your bunny to sleep and relax within.
Rabbits can handle the cold very well as they usually have thick fur and pads on their feet, but strong winds and damp environments can make them very uncomfortable. Their hutch should be dry and warm, and there are many things you can do to ensure this.
Use ice. By simply freezing water, you can help your rabbits in a number of ways. On hot days, place ice packs beneath your rabbits' enclosure and leave them to cool the area from the bottom up.
Ice Blocks
Rabbits like popsicles, too! When hot weather is on the way, freeze some ice blocks containing berries and/or plain vegetable juice (diluted with water) and give one to your bun to eat. As with all treats, these should be given in moderation.
Your rabbit may be dehydrated if you see any of these problems: thick sticky saliva, crusty eyes, poor appetite, small amounts of dark colored urine, or hard dry fecal pellets. In order to correct dehydration, extra water must be given to your rabbit. Sometimes this can be done by helping the rabbit drink.
Rabbits need protection from extreme temperature and bad weather in all environments (including living areas and outdoor runs). The recommended temperature range is 10 to 25°C. Outdoor hutches should be covered with a blanket or carpet on cold nights (taking care not to block ventilation).
Rabbits adore soft fabrics. Your pet will roll around in blankets and towels in your home. They love the softness and warmth provided by such materials.
Bunnies don't sleep at night and stay up during the day like humans do, either. They are crepuscular. Yup, there's that word again! It means they're most active at dusk and dawn.
Offering red carpets, cushions, or blankets to your rabbit allows them to seek out this vibrational energy whenever they need it. In my work with rabbits and other animals, it's very evident that they love to lie on the red when they lack regular contact with the outdoors. In contrast to red, blue is cooling.
A rabbit's bedding must keep them safe, comfortable, and warm. Rabbits often eat their bedding, so it cannot be toxic. Shredded paper, Aspen shreds, specialist litter or pellets, and hay are all safe options.
Any fast or sudden movements, loud noises, unfamiliar smells or larger creatures – including their owners – can trigger a fear response. 'We're predators from a rabbit's point of view,' explains clinical animal behaviourist Rosie Bescoby, who runs animal behaviour consultancy Pet Sense.
Rabbits do best in temperatures that are around 60-70°F, so if you keep your home at the typical 68-70°F, your rabbit will do just fine. You could also consider keeping your rabbit in a room in the house that doesn't get as much heat, since they do fine in colder temperatures too.
In the wild, rabbits live in big groups and they enjoy being with friends who will play with them, groom them, understand them and look out for them. So if these sociable animals are kept on their own, they may become bored, depressed, and very lonely.