A temperature of between 10-20°C is recommended as ideal for
Rabbits prefer temperatures of about 60–65 degrees Fahrenheit, but they are comfortable in lower temperatures as long as they are appropriately housed. An outdoor rabbit hutch must be waterproof and should have a solid roof with a slight overhang to keep rain and snow out of the hutch.
Rabbits are naturally insulated by their fur. Nature helps pet rabbits out by thickening their coats as the mercury drops and cold weather blows in. While you might not want to leave your bun out for prolonged periods in very low temperatures, rabbits can usually withstand temperatures as low as 15° Fahrenheit.
The bunny basics
For example, a rabbit's ideal outdoor temperature is between 12° to 21°C (55° to 70°F) and, while your bunnies can tolerate temperatures as high as 30°C (85°F), anything above that can increase their risk of heatstroke.
While rabbits can naturally handle cold temperatures well, if they are kept in the wrong conditions they may suffer from hypothermia and frostbite. Smaller rabbit breeds are more at risk than larger ones because they cannot conserve heat so well.
Indoor. House rabbits should never be kept completely confined to a cage. Exercise is vital for the rabbit's health. All too often we hear well meaning but poorly informed people describe rabbits as easy to keep because “they can be caged and don't take up much space!”.
Rabbits are designed to not only survive, but thrive in cold weather. In fact, cold weather often increases the energy level of domestic rabbits, and invigorates them! Many rabbits are at their most playful during the winter months of the year.
A temperature of between 10-20°C is recommended as ideal for domestic rabbits, though they can cope with lower temperatures, but tend to suffer from too much heat. If the temperature starts to reach freezing, you may wish to consider moving your rabbits' home indoors or into an outhouse, shed or unused garage.
Rabbit spritzer
You can use a plant spray/mist bottle to gently spray water on your rabbit's ears which can help them to cool down.
Many bunnies enjoy cuddles and affection
Bunnies are super-soft, and many will love cuddling with you as much as you love cuddling with them. Once a bunny is comfortable in their new home, they may claim you as their own by rubbing their chin on you to mark their territory.
Nope! Another question that people often ask is whether rabbits sleep mostly during the day or at night. And the answer is neither. They are crepuscular, meaning that they are most active at dusk and dawn.
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.
Expect your rabbit to be lonely.
In the wild, it would be with other rabbits 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. If you only have one rabbit, you can give it some companionship, but it will still be lonely at night or when you are away at work. Sometimes a female rabbit will be fine on its own.
Rabbits don't hibernate in the winter; They are active year-round. During winter, the colder temperatures and lack of vegetation force rabbits to spend more time searching and hunting for food.
Some rabbits find it completely natural to get their coats wet and they aren't bother by the falling rain… all you need to do is observe their behaviour in order to see if they are feeling any discomfort and if they need you.
Rabbits are meticulously clean and almost never need a bath. Bathing them can even be harmful, since they tend to panic in water and may fracture a limb or their spine if they thrash around.
Rabbits regulate body heat through their ears. They do not tolerate extreme heat and can die from becoming overheated. Temperatures above 77° F (25° C) are dangerous for rabbits.
Caring for your pet rabbit
It is important that you understand all the requirements for caring for a rabbit before you buy one. Rabbits generally live for 5 to 8 years depending on their environment and breed, but they can live for as long as 12 years.
It's no secret that rabbits love soft materials. All domesticated rabbits like blankets and pillows in the home. You'll likely be tempted to place similar items in your pet's hutch for added comfort. Blankets and towels are great additions to a rabbit's home.
Rabbits don't do well in cold weather, and snowy conditions can put them at risk. Unlike other small animals, rabbits don't hibernate so keeping them warm, dry and protected from the elements is crucial.
Providing a fan can keep the air cool in your rabbit's room. Do not blow the fan directly onto the rabbits, and ensure they have enough room to move away if they wish.
Your rabbits need deep bedding of shavings or Megazorb under their bed of plenty of straw. Straw is warmer than hay because it's hollow and provides more insulation. Buy good-quality soft straw that's not spiky or dusty, such as barley straw.