Bunnies can not sweat. Neither can they pant through their mouth like a dog since they breath through their noses. Therefore bunnies are more exposed for heat strokes, and it is important that you help your bunny cool down.
Symptoms of heat stroke:
- Panting / gasping for air
- Acting very weakly (exhausted)
- Slow movements
- Blue or grey colored lips
What should you do for your bunny in the heat?
✖ Refill water bowl regularly - make sure your bunny constantly has accsess to water. Of course this is imporant throught the whole year, but they drink more often at summer, so remember to refill regularly. The water will also get hot, so you should change it even if the water bowl is not empty yet.
✖ Wrap them in a wetted towel - carefully wet a towel with cold water, and wrap it around the bunny. The towel should not be so wet that it drips of it.
✖ Spray water - I like to take a spray full of chill water, and carefully give M & J a spray or two to cool them down. You can also fill a water bottle and drip some water on them. Make sure you do not spray or drip water on their ears.
✖ Access to shadows - it is very important that your bunny has access to shadows, so they can hide from the sun and cool down. They should not be put in direct sun light. I like to put a sheet or a blanket over their playpen to give them shadow from the sun.
✖ Cold water bottle - fill a water bottle and put in the freezer. When it is cold, you can give it to your bunnies to help them cool down.
✖ Wrap them in a wetted towel - carefully wet a towel with cold water, and wrap it around the bunny. The towel should not be so wet that it drips of it.
✖ Spray water - I like to take a spray full of chill water, and carefully give M & J a spray or two to cool them down. You can also fill a water bottle and drip some water on them. Make sure you do not spray or drip water on their ears.
✖ Access to shadows - it is very important that your bunny has access to shadows, so they can hide from the sun and cool down. They should not be put in direct sun light. I like to put a sheet or a blanket over their playpen to give them shadow from the sun.
✖ Cold water bottle - fill a water bottle and put in the freezer. When it is cold, you can give it to your bunnies to help them cool down.
Keep in mind that even though it is hot, you should not bath your bunny. Not ever. A bath can expose them for shock, that they can die from. A bunny should never be bathed unless your vetrinary gives you instructions to.
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| A sheet over their play pen to protect them from the sun. |
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| Muffin & Johan likes to flop and relax in the heat. |
