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cold weather and bunnies

22 10:14:33

Question
Hi! British winter is setting in and it's getting to be quite cold most nights (down to freezing, frost and some snow.) My rabbits hutch is very sheltered and dry and I've provided him with mountains of hay to curl up in. I'm still worried that the cold air temperature could make him ill. Do you think I have provided adequate protection? Also what signs are there that my rabbit is feeling the cold?
Thanks for your time.

Answer
Hi,

you are asking someone who does not advocate that people keep their domestic pet rabbits outside in hutches.  In general rabbits are always better off inside a house, and they tend to live longer as an indoor house rabbit than an outdoor hutch rabbit.

That said, as long as you can block any direct winds blowing into the hutch (because this will make him ill) and can ensure that his water will not freeze over, because he will become dehydrated and his gut will shut down without water, then you may be okay.  Also you will have to check the water that it is not frozen, and several times a day check for any urine that has frozen and remove any wet/frozen hay because it can hurt his skin if he has to sit on it for awhile, and mold will grow on it and if he eats it, he could get mycotoxin poisoning and die.

Generally everything I have stated above that are great concerns with hutch rabbits, are (with the exception of moldy hay) non-existant with an indoor house rabbit.  

Lee