Pet Rabbit Care in Hot Weather
Do
you
remember watching a wildlife video about the natural lives of rabbits?
Or
watch Bugs Bunny in Loony Tunes perhaps? You might notice that rabbits
usually
burrow underground; Bugs Bunny even favors to dive into his burrowed
field when
his enemies come or when he feels like relaxing. The main reason for
this is
that rabbits want to protect themselves from heat.
Rabbits
are
very
sensitive
to
heat.
That
is what all of the people who owns or
plans to
own a rabbit needs to know. This is the reason why you should keep your
pet
rabbits well off heat, especially in summer seasons. The following are
some
ideas on how to care for your rabbits in the heat of the summer.
Outdoors
When
your bunny is kept outdoors, make sure that its cage is shaded
generously
throughout the day. Make sure that the cage is not stuffed with
unnecessary
things. Keep it spacious so the air can get in and out freely. Good
ventilation
will keep him cool and relaxed for the whole day.
Make
sure to provide plenty of pellets and vegetables. Clean the left-overs
after
the rabbit has finished eating and change it to new ones to provide
clean
environment. Provide him with a clean water dispenser full of water.
Make sure
you change it everyday or as needed and clean it with a disinfectant
every 2
days.
Provide
your
rabbit
with
cool
and
comfortable
bedding. Do away with the mushy
beddings
for the summer season, as it will only add heat when slept into. Make
sure to
clean the bedding and its litter frequently to avoid any illnesses
associated
with ammonia accumulation.
Indoors
In
summer, it is best to keep your rabbits indoors if you have an
air-conditioned
house. This will save you from most of the worries you get from keeping
your
rabbits outdoors. However, consider keeping them in the cage as they
might chew
on your sofas and other furniture. If you let them out to roam around
the
house, make sure to keep an eye on them.
If
your house is not air-conditioned, however, you may still have the use
of a fan
to cool the rabbit. Another technique is to place a frozen bottle of
water
inside the cage, changing it frequently when melted.
Food
and water should be provided and refilled as needed. Clean the cage
often and
dry wet areas immediately, as this will be a favored environment for
bacterial
growth. Also, maintain his grooming and play activities. It is best to
let your
rabbits play and exercise early in the morning or at dusk, as they
prefer to
sleep at daylight hours.
Remember, all of these things should be done whole-heartedly. Don’t think of these things as a job. Rather, think of this as a responsibility and a reward for the joy your rabbit has been giving you for the duration of its stay with you.