Question: Is it safe for a bunny to stay outside when it’s 88 degrees F?
Hi, we are bunny sitting for a pal for 3 weeks. They informed us the bunny just recently went through an ear infection and finished a course of prescription antibiotics. He is usually kept in a cage inside, however my child constructed a bunny “fort” for him out of cardboard boxes and it is outdoors in our enclosed outdoor patio.
The high today here is expected to be 88 degrees and I’m questioning if you believe he ‘d be ok out there or if I must simply bring him back inside and just put him out there early morning and night when it’s cooler. I’m continuously inspecting his water bowl and I have fans heading out in the outdoor patio.
The outdoor patio is surrounded by moving glass doors and they are all open with screen doors closed. It simply looks like he has a lot more space to move out there than in his cage. But I’m simply stressed over him getting too hot.
–Carolyn
Answer:
DearCarolyn,
You’re so sweet to assist your pal by taking care of their bunny. Sounds like you’re an extremely diligent caretaker!
Rabbits can absolutely end up being worried by extremes in ecological temperature levels. Heat is particularly difficult on them. A bunny’s incredibly huge ears assist control their body temperature level. That assists some, however in a cage or pen, a bunny can’t burrow in the ground to keep one’s cool.
Rabbits adapted to outdoor living can endure more heat than those who have actually lived strictly inside in air-conditioned convenience. Even rabbits who are utilized to being outside can end up being stressed out in extremely heat.
Temperatures approaching 80 degrees Fahrenheit might be high adequate to trigger physical tension.If a bunny is in direct sun without any choice for shade, the result will be even worse.
It’s much safer to keep a bunny in your house throughout the most popular part of the day. You’ll desire to ensure he is safely included on your outdoor patio, too. Rabbits can chew their method through screens in no time at all!
Many bunny owners utilize folding playpens to keep their bunnies securely restricted inside. A pen enables them a lot more area to move.
Don’ t leave him outdoors or on the outdoor patio not being watched in case he attempts to escape or another animal attempts to break in to attack him. I’m worried about the security of the screen doors. You ‘d be shocked what wild animals and pets will do to gain access to a bunny.
Tipsto Keep Your Rabbit Cool
For folks who do not have the choice of bringing their bunny inside, or if you do not have cooling, here are some pointers to keep your bunny cool:
- Keep the bunny cage or pen in a dubious location. If you can’t move it, location tarpaulins or sheets over the pen to produce a dubious sanctuary.
- Use fans pointed towards the cage to assist with evaporative cooling. These pet fans are excellent alternatives.
- Freeze water in plastic bottles to location in the cage. Many rabbits will lie next to the ice to remain cool.
- Offer a big ceramic tile for the bunny to sit or push. The tile will assist draw heat far from his body.
- Put ice in his water meal or bottle. You’ll desire to do this a couple of times throughout the hot part of the day.
- If you live in a dry environment, an evaporative cooling system or overload cooler positioned near the bunny pen can work practically along with cooling. If you live where it’s damp, this choice will not be valuable.
- You can likewise get a cooling mat for your bunny and location it inside their cage. Cooling mats can keep your bunny cool and comfy for 4 hours or more.
Readers who keep their bunny outdoors in a cage: please think about bringing him inside to cope with the household! Rabbits are smart and enjoyable animals who can make excellent indoor family pets. They’re peaceful, make excellent cuddling buddies and can be litter box trained.
House rabbits tend to get much better care since they’re under closer observation. The life-span of an indoor bunny is a lot longer and their lifestyle is much better than rabbits kept in an outdoor cage. Rabbits can invest a long time outdoors with guidance throughout cooler weather condition, however it’s a rough life for a bunny to be outdoors in a cage day after day.
TheHouse Rabbit Society uses numerous totally free academic resources on how to look after rabbits inside. You may even think about embracing a bunny in requirement of a house from yourlocal rabbit rescue group
Regards,
TB Thompson DVM