How cold is too cold for a rabbit? Rabbits have evolved over the years to deal with cold weather, even domesticated rabbits, so how do you care for rabbits in cold weather. The ideal temperature for a rabbit is between 15-20°C, anything below this puts a rabbit at risk of health problems. Fortunately, rabbits have ways to keep themselves warm, but they also need some help from their owner.

If you're new to owning a rabbit and this is your first winter, or you need some extra rabbit care tips, this is where you'll find out how to keep them warm, how to insulate their hutch and about pesky winter health conditions.

Can Rabbits Stay Outside in Winter?

Rabbits have evolved to be able to withstand the cold winter months. A rabbit’s winter coat gets thicker in cold weather to act as an insulator and keep heat within the body and fur pads on the bottom of their feet to help protect them from the cold.

Rabbits can also reduce the blood supply to less insulated areas such as their nose and ears, which helps to reduce heat loss. During winter rabbits spend more time sheltering in their bedding and will huddle together if they have a companion. If in doubt, you can always bring your rabbit indoors, but you need to make sure your house is prepped for the new guest.

How to Keep Rabbits Warm in Winter

Although rabbits are able to adapt to cold weather, preparation for winter is key. They’re still susceptible to damp, draughts, wind and rain, and if your rabbit gets wet it can lead to health problems. But what can a pet owner do to help keep their pet rabbits warm in winter?

Rabbit hutch: if your rabbit is kept outdoors, you’ll need to insulate the hutch and ensure it’s leak and draught proof. Use cardboard boxes to line the walls of your rabbit enclosure and line the floors with layers of newspaper. But make sure you replace the materials as soon as they get wet/soiled. In extreme weather conditions bring your rabbit’s hutch inside a shed or garage for added protection.

Alternatively, you use a rabbit hutch cover in winter but make sure it’s securely fastened. Remove the cover as soon as the cold weather has passed as it can cause the hutch to become too hot.

Bedding: in your rabbit’s sleeping area, add lots of layers of extra hay or straw for your rabbit to bury themselves into. You need to make sure their home is always kept clean and dry by removing any soiled or wet bedding/litter materials.

Companion: in the wild, rabbits will snuggle together to keep warm. So, if you only have one rabbit, consider getting them a companion. Make sure you continue to spend lots of time with your rabbit, especially if they live on their own.

Exercise: your rabbits should always have access to a run so that they can exercise - some even like to play in snow. Just make sure there is a sheltered place for them to hide from the weather.

Indoors: to keep an indoor rabbit safe and happy, make sure their bed/cage isn’t near a radiator or other heating appliance and that there is always a window open to circulate fresh air.

Sudden temperature changes can have adverse effects on your rabbit’s health, so keep rabbits outside in winter if they normally live outside. But you'll need to bring your them indoors if they’re ill or recovering from surgery.

Should I Feed My Rabbit More During Winter?

Outdoor rabbits will need extra food because they burn off more calories when trying to keep warm. Putting on a little bit of extra weight will provide extra insulation but be careful not to overfeed. If your rabbit is at an ideal weight, you should be able to feel their ribs when you rub your hands along their chest.

Feed your rabbit fresh vegetables around mid-day to prevent the food from freezing. Frozen food should be removed immediately as it’s a choking hazard. Remember to regularly check water bowls and bottles as water freezes when the temperature drops below 0°C. To help prevent freezing, try placing heat pads under water bowls or a sock over water bottles.

Indoor rabbits don’t need extra food in winter, but usually drink more when the heating is on.

What Rabbit Winter Health Conditions Should I Look Out For?

Healthy rabbits can live in cold temperatures (sub-zero) if kept in the right conditions. But rabbits that are elderly, very young, ill or recovering from surgery are less able to maintain their normal body temperature, and are more at risk from health problems. Take your rabbit for a winter health check to make sure they’re well enough to keep warm during the winter months.

Hypothermia (low body temperature) occurs when a rabbit’s body temperature drops below the normal range of 38.5-40°C. This can happen if your bunny is exposed to cold, damp or draughty conditions, or if they’re unwell. It can lead to a decrease in heart rate, cold extremities and poor blood circulation.

Symptoms of cold weather health conditions include lethargy, cold extremities, and looking pale. This leads on to shallow breathing and a weak heartbeat. Can rabbits die in cold weather? Yes, if hypothermia is left untreated, the rabbit may go into a coma and die.

Frostbite is damage to skin and underlying tissues caused by exposure to freezing temperatures. Frostbite is not common in rabbits but can occur if their ears, nose or toes get wet and then freeze. This restricts the blood supply and leads to damage to the tissues which can eventually fall off.

Lop eared rabbits are most at risk as their ears drag along the ground and can be dipped in their water bowl. Affected areas will feel cold to the touch and will be blue/white in colour.

Both conditions require emergency treatment by a vet. Before you get to the clinic, slowly warm your rabbit up with blankets, or a heat pad or hot water bottle wrapped in a towel. Extremities like their feet can be wrapped in bubble wrap.

A rabbit’s body has developed ways to keep warm during the extreme cold of winter weather, but there are things that owners can do to help rabbits in cold weather. Insulating your rabbit's hutch is the best way to protect them from the wind, rain and snow. Keeping your rabbit warm and dry will protect them from cold weather rabbit health risks like hypothermia and frostbite.

Everypaw Rabbit Insurance

Here at Everypaw, we want to help you keep your bunny healthy and in tip top shape. So, when it comes to your young rabbit’s care, Everypaw’s Rabbit Insurance could be just the cover to look after your little thumper.

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