Rabbit Care in Winter
Naturally, our rabbits prepare themselves well for the onset of the dark, cold months of winter. This does not mean we can care for them any less than we do the rest of the year, actually quite the reverse. There are many factors we must consider and disregarding these can potentially lead to illness or even fatalities. This leaflet outlines some key points to make your rabbit's winter more comfortable.
Housing
If your rabbit lives outside it is important to consider its welfare through the winter. Ask yourself a few easy questions to establish if your rabbit is in the most suitable place in your garden.
Is my rabbit warm enough?
Rabbits naturally build up a thick fur for the winter and have soft fur pads on their feet, insulating their bodies against the cold so they are well prepared for the lowering temperatures. However, they still benefit from a generous supply of dry straw or hay bedding in a draught free corner of their hutch. Although it may be tempting to give your rabbit a warm and cosy blanket, this could cause illness if they were to chew and swallow it.
Rabbits do not like being in draughts, certainly not at night. If your hutch is in an exposed area or open to the elements, it is advisable to try and find a more sheltered position. Hutch covers are an easy way to protect your rabbit from the cold and wet, although you must leave some ventilation gaps as fresh air is vital. Remove the cover first thing every morning to allow your rabbit to enjoy some fresh air and valuable sunlight.
If you have just purchased your rabbit during the winter, do not house outdoors. It will not have had a chance to build up a winter coat and will not survive outdoors.
Should I bring my rabbits indoors?
Despite the cold, our rabbits are perfectly designed to live outside and although desirable, it is not essential to bring them indoors. A garden shed or outhouse is an ideal location for your hutch over the winter, as it provides shelter and protection from predators. A used garage is not suitable; engine fumes can be very harmful. A major concern when housing your rabbit outdoors is the threat from predators. You may not see these predators, they are elusive and during the winter their food is scarce. A well fenced garden can discourage them but you must ensure your rabbit hutch is secure and remember even the sight of a predator can cause death from shock.
See the section on Indoor Rabbits for tips on bringing your rabbit indoors.
How can I make the winter more fun for my rabbit?
Playtime is still very important during the winter and your rabbit still needs lots of attention and stimulation. Although you cannot play with your rabbit constantly, you can provide toys and boredom breakers to entertain your pet and you should exercise your rabbit outdoors regularly. There are many different kinds of toys available. We stock a wide range of wooden toys, and there are also plenty of homemade options. A cardboard box with 2 or 3 holes cut in to hop through, cardboard toilet roll tubes or a box of hay or shredded paper to dig in are some favourites for rabbits.
Are there any changes that I need to make to my rabbit's diet in the winter?
It is not necessary to make any major changes to your rabbit's diet through the winter. However, some foodstuffs, no matter how abundant in summer, are not so readily available. It is a good idea to feed your rabbit dried forages like dried grass and hay during this time and suitable fresh foods are available in supermarkets all year round. Good nutrition is essential for preparing for winter. It promotes the growth of a thicker fur coat for extra weight. Be careful not to over feed as this could cause obesity.
An essential point to remember during the winter months is that your rabbit relies heavily on their water supply, as during the summer they gain lots of moisture from the grass. As this is unavailable in winter there must be a constant supply of fresh, clean water. It is common, as the temperature drops , for the water bottle or bowl to freeze solid. This must be prevented, so be sure to check twice daily and add 2 or 3 drops of medicinal glycerine. If your rabbit is unable to drink and becomes dehydrated, it will lead to health problems. Equally, check on the fresh foodstuffs you feed your rabbit for signs of frost. It is a good idea to keep your rabbit's food and water at room temperature to avoid freezing.
Indoor rabbits
If you are concerned for your rabbit during the winter months, it might be the right time to begin house training and bring them indoors. It is easier than you may think to litter train rabbits, as they are creatures of habit and will quickly adapt to a litter tray. Their territorial nature also helps as they tend to mark their territory with droppings, generally in the same places. A neutered rabbit will make a better house pet as they are easier to train and more able to adapt to indoor life. Rabbits like to have their own space, including an area of their own to sleep and eat. You should aim to place their hutch or pen in a quiet area of the room and avoid disturbing them when they are inside. We have several sizes of rabbit cages available in all our stores and these are ideal for indoor use – you should always buy the largest you can. Rabbits are opportunistic feeders and may eat whilst using the litter tray, so placing their food and tray close together will allow for this.
There are a few factors you must consider when purchasing a litter as some may not be suitable for your rabbit. The ideal choice is a non-toxic, dust free and absorbent litter that will not stick together when wet (non-clumping). The toxicity is important as rabbits like to nibble and this could cause illness. An overly dusty litter can cause irritation both to your rabbit's eyes and potentially their respiratory system and a non-absorbent litter causing puddles of urine may irritate your rabbit's skin. If in doubt, a bedding material such as hay or straw, placed on top of woodshavings, is also a suitable material for litter.
You will find that your rabbit will make a fantastic house pet and will be very happy indoors. You will of course need to make a few adjustments to your home to accommodate them. Rabbits will chew through electric cables, so covering any exposed wires with protective tubing is essential to keep your rabbit safe.
Useful items for winter:
Even during winter months rabbits should have the opportunity to exercise and shouldn’t be left in their hutch for long periods of time. On mild dry days they can be put out in a run, but consider putting the run on a patio area or in a garage.
Outdoor
Indoor