Some rabbits love water. Even if your pet doesn't swim, she may enjoy splashing and wading in water. As rabbits do not sweat, this could be a way to cool off in the summer.
As a prey species, rabbits do not like to feel vulnerable, and being in water isn't a natural position for a rabbit to be in. Rabbits also tend to panic when in water, and can easily fracture their spine or a limb if they thrash around whilst in water.
On a whole, though, most rabbits do not like swimming. Their plush coats can absorb a lot of water, making it feel similar to swimming in a dress or suit – definitely not a fun experience. Combine that with difficulties regulating their body temperature, and swimming can be a very stressful activity for rabbits.
In short, water is vital. Rabbits must have access to plenty of fresh water at all times. Rabbits eating lots of fresh grass and greens will drink less, whilst those eating mostly hay will drink more. Bowls are better than bottles as lapping from a bowl is more natural to rabbits.
Most rabbits also dislike water. But more importantly, baths are also dangerous for rabbits, and sometimes even fatal. Wet fur can lead to hypothermia or a respiratory infection; hot water or blow-dryers can scald their skin. Water in their ears can lead to ear infections.
Their fur usually protects them very well, but they lose that shield when they are wet. For this reason, rabbits will often have severe skin irritation that could even lead to an infection. Rabbit skin is also delicate enough when wet that it can tear more easily. A small cut can turn into a large wound very quickly.
Please do not give your bunny a full body bath.
This can be extremely traumatic for a rabbit and can put them into shock; many rabbits have died from this kind of trauma. While you may have heard of rabbits who like to swim, most rabbits do not tolerate being submerged in water, and the shock of it can be deadly.
On a warm day, when the temperature is above 75 °F, rabbits prefer cold water. They like tepid or warm (not hot) water when the weath- er is cold. If you don't water your rabbits often enough on cold days, they may wind up drinking too much very cold water at one time.
Excessive thirst could be due to heat, increased activity or acute dehydration, or when accompanied with excess urine output, an underlying medical condition. An increase in your rabbit's urination will trigger the brain to signal thirst. Conversely, excess thirst and fluid intake will lead to an increase in urination.
The rule of thumb on this issue is simple – don't put rabbits into pools or other bodies of water. Yes, they can swim; but no, they don't like it.
Some rabbits enjoy swimming and some don't. Rabbits can swim however that doesn't mean that they should always swim as rabbits tend to swim only when they are in danger. If your rabbit enjoys swimming, for their safety, we recommend not to make them swim in anything deeper than a foot of water.
It is always best to prevent your rabbit from getting too wet, as he is a delicate animal and doesn't even need to be washed by his human keepers for reasons of hygiene (at most, some localised baths could be useful).
There are lots of ways your rabbit might show they are relaxed, usually when lying down. They might sit with their legs tucked under their bodies (like a little rabbit loaf!), or lie down completely stretched out. Curiosity. Rabbits who are hopping around, exploring their environment and munching are happy bunnies!
On average rabbits will drink 50-150 ml/kg/day, so a large 5 kg rabbit will normally drink up to 750 ml each day, so anything over that could be abnormal. Similarly, normal urine production is about 120-130 ml/kg/day, so a large 5 kg rabbit will urinate as much as 650 ml per day, so anything over that may be abnormal.
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.
We do not advise giving them frozen treats or ice cubes because they can cause intestinal problems. You can safely used battery operated fans which can be attached to an indoor or outdoor hutch. Ensure that your rabbits have the choice whether to sit in the air flow or not.
Top 10 tips to keep rabbits cool in summer
A fan can be used to keep the air cool and create airflow, however, do not blow the fan directly onto the rabbits and ensure they have enough room to move away if they wish.
Floppy Rabbit Syndrome (FRS) is considered an acute neurological condition characterised by a sudden inability to hop around. The muscles of the legs and sometimes the neck are flaccid. FRS remains a poorly understood diagnosis in rabbits, with research ongoing in an attempt to identify an inciting cause.
Most breeds of rabbit will very seldom need to be cleaned. Much like cats, rabbits are very tidy creatures and will do the vast majority of grooming themselves. They will lick their fur and use their paws to get to those hard-to-reach areas. If you keep more than one rabbit, they will groom each other as well.
It is usually safe to kiss a rabbit, and many pets enjoy this display of love. Rabbits do not kiss each other, but can learn what kissing means. If grooming precedes the kiss, your intention will be clear. Many rabbits enjoy being kissed on the top of the head.
Spritz water
Rabbits lose heat through their ears, so misting them might help to keep your bunnies cooler. Fill up a spray bottle with cool (not icy) water, and then gently spritz the fleshy parts of your rabbits' ears – making sure not to get water into the ear canal itself.
It's literally a bunny's happy dance and sometimes will occur when a rabbit runs laps around the room – a behavior that many call “zoomies.” When rabbits display these behaviors, they're showing us that they are full of energy, happy and excited!