As the gloomy winter days approach once more, pet owners should start making preparations for the health and welfare of the animals that will be left outside in the wet and chilly weather.
Being ready for any extreme temperatures is helpful because our weather may be a little unpredictable. Particularly vulnerable to the effects of the cold and ice are rabbits. Rabbits in the wild live underground, which provides them with a natural barrier against the elements. From keeping rabbits warm in the winter to routine care for all bunnies, we examine what we can do to safeguard our furry little buddies in the simplest and most affordable way possible.
Weatherproof the rabbit hutch
- • Having an appropriate hutch for your rabbits to reside in makes it easier to care for them. You probably already have a decently large, safe, and ventilated hutch, but if it’s time for an upgrade, you can find a broad selection of high-quality hutches on our website.
- • Put your hutch somewhere that will expose it to the elements on all sides, away from drafts and damp areas.
- • Raising your rabbit hutch off the ground can help keep the cold from seeping in through the floor and keep your bunnies away from puddles that might find their way into their living quarters.
- • Search the hutch for openings that the rain and cold can easily pass through.
• Put up some beach-style windbreakers around the exterior of the hutch if you feel it is more exposed than you’d like. This will provide a little extra protection.
• If you have room, move the hutch into a garage, summer cottage, or garden shed. This will give them plenty of protection from the icy weather and a place to play. Ensure that the spaces are well ventilated.
• To give the outside of your rabbit hutch a little extra protection, varnish it or paint it.
• Purchase a weather protection for your rabbit hutch that easily hooks into the front of the structure. When cleaning or replacing your rabbit’s food or bedding, you may easily remove this to protect your weak bunnies from the weather.
How to keep rabbits warm in the winter
• Provide cozy sleeping quarters for your rabbits within the hutch. Pet carriers or cardboard boxes are great options for this. If not, a tiny hideout from The Pet Express will do wonders for your rabbit’s sense of security.
• Make sure the hutch is filled with plenty of cozy, soft bedding, and make sure to regularly change it out. • If you only have one rabbit, think about having a mate. This will additionally serve as additional insulation from the wind and cold outside. When they cuddle up together on chilly days, this will not only prevent loneliness but also add to their overall warmth.
Food and nutrition
• Encouraging greater foraging by your rabbits inside their hutch. This will keep them active for longer periods of time indoors and assist in maintaining their body temperature.In order to maintain their body weight and, by extension, their body warmth, your rabbits will need to consume more throughout the winter. Add fresh food every day, and if they are eating it quickly, replenish it throughout the day.
• Use an old sock or bubble wrap to wrap water bottles. When the temperature drops over night, this will help keep the frost at bay and stop the water from icing over.
Other things to consider
• Despite not hibernating throughout the winter, rabbits nevertheless need a certain amount of exercise to keep their joints supple and stave off boredom.
• Ensure that your rabbits have the most possible access to their run, which you can weatherproof similarly to the hutch.
• There is nothing better than the quality time they spend with you, so make sure this continues throughout the winter. Spend as much time as you can with them because they won’t be out running as often and may be lonely if you don’t.
