Please Protect Your Rabbit from the Summer Heat

In the hot summer weather please remember to do everything you can to keep your rabbits cool and comfortable. In the wild they can burrow below ground to keep cool but domestic rabbits don’t have that luxury so please do what you can.

If your rabbits are outside then please make sure they have plenty of shade. If their run can be put over cold paving slabs out of sunlight then they can spread themselves out over the cool stones to keep their temperature down. Battery operated fans are also a good idea and can be picked up cheaply on ebay or in shops. It’s important to make sure that the rabbits can’t get any part of their body caught in the fan though. A good trick is to freeze a plastic bottle of water for them to lean against if they are too hot. Please note that the bottle must always be wrapped in a tea towel to prevent ice-burn. Keep a spare in the freezer to replace the other when it thaws. Garden umbrellas are also a good idea to keep a run out of direct sunlight but please be sure to move it as the sun’s position changes so it continues to provide cover.

And please always be on the lookout for the risk of Flystrike, which is much greater in the hot weather as the number of flies increases. For those who don’t know, Flystrike is a common and deadly condition for domestic rabbits, where flies lay their eggs in soiled fur, resulting in maggots hatching and literally eating the rabbit’s flesh. Ideally rabbits should be cleaned out every day and be given clean, fresh hay. Check your rabbit’s bottom regularly and ensure that it is clean. If not then gently clean with lukewarm water and cotton wool, before patting dry with kitchen towel. Another trouble spot for flystrike is just above the tail, so please be sure to check there too. If your rabbit has long hair then it needs to be brushed regularly. Plastic netting can be obtained from DIY shops and placed over runs and hutches to prevent flies getting in easily.

Keep an eye on your buns, and if you have any doubts then please get them checked out by a vet. Remember that rabbits are prey animals and will, by instinct, disguise any illness or injury as much as possible, so please watch carefully and observe any signs of over heating, or any other kind of problem.

If you know anybody who has a pet rabbit then please pass this information on to them.