Summer is here, and Zooh Corner wants to remind you to keep your bunnies cool, as high temperatures can be very dangerous to their heath. The best situation for a rabbit is an indoor, air-conditioned home on days when the temperature is over 78 degrees.
Some additional tips:
- Avoid housing your rabbit in direct sunlight, and ensure the area is well-ventilated
- Never keep your rabbit in the garage
- Use fans when possible to help with airflow
- Place bottles or cartons of ice near your bunny
- Stock up on ice bottles by storing spare water bottles in the freezer
- Provide plenty of fresh, clean drinking water
- If food gets wet (via misters, etc.) change immediately/daily to avoid life-threatening mold
While preventative measures generally keep bunny comfortable, sometimes a danger-situation still arises. If you notice that bunny is panting, drooling, or listless – immedate action is needed. Dampen ears with a mister or washcloth, put him next to a bottle of ice, and take him to the vet, ASAP. Extreme heat can cause the brain to swell (among other things) and bunny could very well die a very painful death.
For the full article, see The Dangers of Summer