Bunny Temperature

Question
Hi! I got a new Holland Lop (I think) for Christmas and was wondering if you could answer some questions about him. My parents say I have to keep him in the basement and it is about 67-68 degrees F in the basement. Is this too cold for him to live comfortably. He is only 7 to 8 weeks old. Also, do you have any suggestions about materials to use to make him a hut. Should I put his Timothy Hay in the hut to keep him warm, because I am only using a recycled paper semi-soft pelleted bedding. Ohhh and i'm having some trouble litterbox training him, he seems to like to go in the middle of he cage, and he likes to hang out in his litterbox instead of using it. I would really like to train him not to go the washroom outside of the cage when he playing too. Any suggestions? Thanks so much, sorry for the long question.

Answer
Dear Catrina,

Rabbits handle cold better than they handle heat.  But it's still important for you to provide a soft, snuggly bed for your pal so that he can hunker into it for warmth when it's cold.  100% cotton chenille bathmats are good, as are thick towels.  But make sure there are no holes or strings loose, which could wrap around him and strangle him or injure a limb if they got caught.  

A clean cardboard box with holes cut in two sides for doors makes a great bunny hut, and you can put the hut in a puppy pen with slats too small for his head to slip through and get caught.  For information on litterbox training, please see:

http://www.rabbit.org/faq/sections/litter.html

And for all the best information on the health, care and behavior of your new bunny, please go to:

www.rabbit.org/

Hope that helps.  Good luck with your new pal!

Dana