Tips To Keep Your Bunny Warm And Healthy In Winter

Are you looking for ways to keep your bunny warm and healthy throughout the winter? Worry not because below we have mentioned some simple tips that will help you keep them cosy and comfy.

Make them feel cosy with straw

When compared to hay, straw always tends to keep rabbits warmer. So, fill your bunny’s home with dry straw and do not forget to add hay in it. This way they will have hay to eat while being comfy at the same time.

Give them cosy areas

Nest, cardboard boxes and hideouts can all be turned into a cosy area for your bunny to snuggle in. Ensure that they aren’t sleeping on the cold floor. If there is not enough space, cover the floor with newspaper or rag clothes to ensure that there’s no direct contact with the floor.

Use pet carriers

A lot of pet carriers end up gathering dust in the garage and are used only when people have to take their bunny to a vet. What people don’t realise is that the same pet carrier can be turned into a cosy area for their bunny to snuggle in.

So, fill up their pet carrier with straw and hay, and place it in their home.

Insulate areas with cardboard

To make sure your bunny’s home doesn’t get affected by the outside temperature, insulate it with the help of cardboards. You can also use this cardboard in the areas they find cosy enough, like their hideouts and nest boxes, and ensure they always feel warm no matter in which corner of your home are they in.

Cover up their house

Cover up your bunny’s home from snow, rain and cold winds by using tarpaulins, stall covers or shower curtains. Bear in mind that if you are covering their accommodation with duvets or blankets at night, then you need to ensure that they are not damp, as it draws out the warm air from their homes. Cover up the roof of their home with tarpaulin.

Keep in mind that whenever you are covering your bunny’s accommodation, there is a ventilation spot.

Keep the draughts at bay

In order to keep the draughts at bay, cover up your bunny’s pet carriers, hideouts and nest boxes with blankets from top and sides. You can also use bubble wrap and stuff it inside any small gaps in your bunny’s house. Just ensure that it is far from the reach of your bunny.

Provide enough heat

When it is extremely cold outside, filling up your bunny’s home with hay is a great way to provide them with the much-needed warmth. You can also use a plastic bottle filled with warm water and place it in their hay. The plastic will stop them from nibbling on the bottle.

Well, you can also place more than one bottle in a large container and put it under their bed, and cover it up with a blanket so they can feel warm over a longer period of time.

Additional winter care tips

Watch your bunny’s weight. A lot of bunnies have to be fed in large quantity to make sure they cope up with winter by burning extra calories. But, make sure that you are not feeding your bunny more than their ideal diet. Always consult a vet, as they will suggest the right diet.
Brush your bunny regularly and make sure they are having a healthy coat to keep them protected from cold weather. You can do this by using a pair of cheap safety scissors for rabbits fur and ensure they have a healthy and shiny coat throughout the winter.
Keep an eye on your bunny’s eating habits. If you notice any changes, there are chances that your bunny is not feeling well. It will be better if you spot the changes early. Also, if you notice any unusual behaviour take them to your vet quickly.
Make sure that your rabbit never gets bored by keeping them entertained with a lot of toys. Also, keep changing the location of items in their house, as this will keep their curiosity from dying.
Make sure that your bunny’s bedding is never damp. Throw away the wet damp and replace it with dry and fresh straw and hay.