How to Keep a Rabbit's Water Bottle From Freezing

As the days grow colder and winter draws near, rabbit owners might find that their outdoor pet's water bottle has frozen. Rabbits need a steady water supply to stay hydrated, so it's important to keep this ice thawed. There are a few ways to ensure a rabbit's water bottle doesn't freeze, including moving it to a warmer place, creating insulation, adding glycerin and rotating the water bottles throughout the day.

Things You'll Need

  • Wool sock or material
  • Glycerin
  • Extra water bottle
Show More

Instructions

    • 1

      Move the water bottle into a warmer location. This might mean relocating the entire cage during the winter months. Consider putting the rabbit hutch in a spare bedroom or the garage. You might also be able to move the water bottle into the interior of the rabbits cage by hooking it on an inside wall. Here it will be naturally warmed by the rabbit's body heat, which can prevent it from freezing.

    • 2

      Insulate the water bottle. Many pet shops and online retailers sell thermal covers designed specifically for rabbit water bottles to keep them from freezing during the winter. You can also make one yourself. Find an old wool sock to slip over the outside of the water bottle. Creative pet owners can knit or sew a decorative tube to place over the water bottle.

    • 3

      Rotate your rabbit's water bottles. Always keep one water bottle attached to the animal's cage, but also store a second one in the house where it can be warmed at room temperature. Swap out the water bottles once or twice a day. This will ensure the rabbit always has flowing water to drink.

    • 4

      Add two or three drops of glycerin into the rabbit's water bottle. This sweet syrup will prevent the water from freezing as fast. Medical glycerin can be purchased from a pharmacist while vegetable glycerin can usually be purchased from a grocery store's baking department. Just make sure you rabbit continues to drink the water with this added flavor included.