10 things you can do to cool off your rabbit
1. Lots of water
Water is vital for the rabbit to always have! Plenty of it is always good and very much like in large water bowls so it is so natural for it to drink. There is also easier access to an open water bowl than if it were a drinking bottle. The rabbit will easily overlook and forget the beverage bottle and then it will be more likely to dehydrate.
2. Shade
Shade is also a very important factor if it is to feel good in the hot weather. It is very important not to have full sun on it all the time as it will quickly dehydrate if it is too hot. So always provide shade.
3. Sand
We use a lot of sand on our own rabbits as it is a natural and appropriate way to cool the rabbit. Our rabbits love to roll in the lovely cool and moist sand so we give it plenty of opportunity. The sand can be laid on the ground (if it is an outdoor rabbit) in a place where there is also plenty of wind. It gives the best result. If it is an indoor rabbit or you just do not have such large bare areas to put sand on then you can also make a small sandbox that you can fill up with sand.
4. Fan
You can also use a fan to cool the rabbits but it is important not to point the fan directly at the rabbit as it can quickly make a draft. The flow of air should come as naturally as possible so that only air in the room/area can be cooled down without the rabbit getting sick. If it feels that it is getting traits or dislikes the sound of it then it often chooses to move away from the area if it has room for it and then you can see if you should place it differently.
5. Ice in water bottle / cooling element
If your rabbit loves cold things then this can be a really good solution to cool the rabbit as it can decide how long it will lie on top of it. However, it may be a good idea to put a towel around it so that it does not give the rabbit cold paws.
6. Water on the ears
Since rabbits cannot sweat like humans, they have developed another way to get rid of the heat, namely through the blood vessels in the ears. When the wind blows, the rabbit raises its ears and the blood in the blood vessels cools and new blood is added and cooled. Therefore, it is advantageous to cool the ears a little by taking a cloth or using your fingers with some cold water and dipping it on the ears calmly.
7. Cooling pad
A cooling pad has the same function as ice in a water bottle or cooling element where the rabbit can lie on it and be cooled. It might be a little easier to use and get the right temperature and then it will last longer in the cold so it's a better way if you need it a lot.
8. Wet towel
You can also put in a wet and cold towel for the rabbit. It can then choose whether it will be on top of it. Either way, it is also an ideal opportunity to cool it down in a good way.
9. Air conditioning in the apartment
If the rabbit is kept indoors, it would be a good idea to get an air conditioner for the rabbit's sake. It gets hot faster inside an apartment or house than it does if the rabbit was outside so hurry up and buy an AC so the rabbit can stay inside and stay cool.
10. Ceramic tiles and tiles
These tiles are often cold on their own but if it is not cold enough then you can put it in the freezer for approx. 5 min. However, it should not be colder than you will lay your hand on for a long time.
Do not pet and brush the rabbit
Do not mess up rabbit fur as it even tries to regulate body temperature and it can do so with the help of the fur. It has the property that it can insulate at very high temperatures so the rabbit can actually keep the heat out with its fur but it does not require clapping and messing up the fur.
It is NOT a good idea to give rabbits ice cubes!
If you give the rabbit ice, it can result in the rabbit getting very sick. Wild rabbits may well eat ice and other cold stuff as they will need it in the winter in the wild but our tame rabbits are much more delicate to such things as their bodies are not used to such large temperature differences in the stomach. If they often get ice cubes and other cold things that they need to consume, it can actually result in rabbit colic (GI Stasis). Therefore, you should also be extra careful giving it vegetables and lettuce directly from the refrigerator as this is too cold, so leave it for approx. 5-10 min. before you give it.
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| The bunnies having a nice time together in the shade |
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