Tips on keeping rabbits cool in hot weather.

A rabbit that is overheated will be stressed out, he/she will lay flat out and be quite lethargic, they may not drink or eat and they will be breathing really fast (mouth breathing) and shaking and their ears may be red.
Keep them out of direct sunlight at all times.

Bottle of Frozen Ice
Get a empty plastic pop bottle fill it with water make sure you leave room for the water to expand once frozen, put the bottle in the freezer to freeze and when frozen put in indoor cage/hutch or play pen for the rabbit to lay next to or lick.

Spray Bottles
keep a spray bottle handy full of water and just mist the outside of the rabbit's ears as rabbits cool themselves through their ears. Don't wet the rabbits though just the ears gently.

Extra water dishes.
Water evaporates in heat so keep checking your water dishes and put extra dishes of water out for them.

Fans.
Are ok but sometimes they make the situation worse by just making more heat.

Ice Cubes
Add ice cubes to their water it will encourage them to drink more.

Tiles
Marble tiles can be bought which keep cool and the rabbit can sit or lay on them. We bought a box of large tiles from Wickes.

Hope these tips will help in this very hot weather

Bumping it up in case it's hot again tomorrow

You missed the one where the hoomins have to fan the buns with a palm and feed them grapes.

cheryl'n'bruce'flo wrote:You missed the one where the hoomins have to fan the buns with a palm and feed them grapes.

Oh yes I did and that's the most popular one

Deffo helpfull, going to try and find a few empty bottles and fill them tonight, think kids came home with small ones from school perfect to fit in my freezer for tomorow, the ice in the bowl is also another good idea for when dont have pop bottles.

Great info, thanks Maysie. The Hu-parents bought some tiles at the weekend... we are laying as far away from them as possible

Tuckerbunnies wrote:

cheryl'n'bruce'flo wrote:You missed the one where the hoomins have to fan the buns with a palm and feed them grapes.

Oh yes I did and that's the most popular one

Don't forget to peel the grapes

Thanks Maysie

I've made this a sticky for the summer, thank you for posting.

Will this work on piggies too, their just as hot today.

dizzylynn wrote:Will this work on piggies too, their just as hot today.

Yes, you can use fans and air condiotioners, ice pods and chilled ceramic tiles, a plastic empty pop bottle cleaned inside with soap & water and rinse fill 3/4 full with water, place in freezer, remove when solid wrap in towel and put it in your guinea pig cage.

If they are outside bring them inside in the shade .

House is warmer, way sun hits us entire house is a sun trap.

dizzylynn wrote:House is warmer, way sun hits us entire house is a sun trap.

We are struggling here as well Lynn it's awful, I've the sick buns in the hallway in quarantine with a fan and a cooler on them and it's still hot. I'm just walking round all
the time in tears as I don't know what else I can do for them  

No wonder hun, were not used to this weather, air con in the house would be ideal, just stuck my head under the cold shower, kids are looking at me like I'm daft. Took me all day to keep buns from getting heat stroke but think I will end up with it.