How to Take Care of an Outside Rabbit in Cold Temps

Rabbits are bright and social creatures that make excellent and well-loved pets. Rabbits can live both indoors and outdoors, but when keeping a rabbit outside, extra care must be exercised to ensure it does not succumb to the elements. Rabbits handle cold weather better than hot weather, but cold can kill too. A few precautions will enable the rabbit to weather the winter, healthy and happy.

Things You'll Need

  • Water crock
  • Water
  • Water crock heater
  • Roll of plastic sheeting
  • Staple gun
  • Staples
  • Cage warmer
  • Flannel fabric
  • Straw, hay or alfalfa
  • Wooden nest box
  • Rabbit food
  • Fresh vegetables
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Instructions

  1. Maintaining an Unfrozen Water Supply

    • 1
      A crock such as this will help maintain an unfrozen water supply.

      Obtain a small stoneware or plastic crock, filling it with water. Do not use a bottle, as the metal spout the rabbit drinks from will quickly freeze, preventing it from being able to drink.

    • 2

      Check and replace the water at least three times per day, especially if frozen.

    • 3

      Purchase a water-crock heater from a pet supply store if the water freezes too quickly or it cannot be checked regularly. Rabbits need water to eat, and eating helps their bodies maintain body heat. An adequate water supply is vital to a rabbit's survival in any weather.

    Insulating the Cage with Plastic

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      Obtain a roll of clear, heavy plastic sheeting.

    • 5

      Unroll enough sheeting to cover all but one side of the rabbit's cage or hutch. If the hutch is against a building or other structure, the backside does not need to be covered.

    • 6
      The hutch wire should be covered in plastic, leaving one end open for ventilation.

      Use a staple gun to staple the sheeting along the wire sides of the cage. For example, if the rabbit hutch is oblong shaped and against a wall, cover the long side of the front of the cage with the plastic, leaving the shorter-end portion of the cage uncovered. Ventilation is crucial for a rabbit, even in the harsh cold of winter. Plastic is an insulator that need not be removed until warmer weather arrives.

    Adding a Commercial Warmer

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      Purchase a commercial cage warmer from a pet supply store. Ensure that the cage warmer selected is safe for use with rabbits.

    • 8

      Put the warmer in the microwave and warm according to the manufacturer directions.

    • 9

      Remove the pad from the microwave and wrap it in a towel or flannel cloth.

    • 10
      Hay, straw and alfalfa should be liberally added to the cage in winter.

      Place the heating pad in the cage, covering it with hay or other bedding. This heating source will last approximately 10 hours and should be done morning and evening.

    Providing a Nest Box

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      Find a tightly made, heavy wooden nest box with an opening in it for the rabbit to enter and exit. It should be only slightly larger than the rabbit.

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      Put the nesting box in a corner of the cage with the opening of the box facing the portion of the cage without plastic insulation, providing adequate ventilation.

    • 13

      Put hay, straw or commercial bedding in the box for the rabbit to nest in.

    Feeding the Rabbit

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      Vegetables are vital to a rabbit's diet even in cold weather.

      Provide the rabbit with ample food. This includes hay, alfalfa and fresh vegetables. Food intake for rabbits will be higher during winter months due to the amount of energy used maintaining body heat.

    • 15

      Check the food supply twice daily to ensure the rabbit does not stop eating. Lack of eating can indicate illness.

    • 16

      Add extra alfalfa, straw or hay to the cage at least once per week. Much gets eaten by the rabbit, but it also provides them with something to create an insulated bed in the open cage when it does not want to sleep in the nesting box.

    Making Sure Bunny is Healthy

    • 17

      Brush the rabbit at least once per week to remove excess winter hair that could be ingested during grooming, causing intestinal issues.

    • 18

      Listen to the rabbit's breathing for signs of respiratory issues, such as wheezing, runny nose or runny eyes. This could indicate illness and may necessitate a veterinarian visit.

    • 19

      Clean the cage on a regular basis. Whatever routine works during favorable weather does not need to be changed, but it should be maintained.