Rabbit owners, this is the time to worry. Summer weather brings significant risks for rabbits housed primarily outdoors or in non-climate-controlled buildings. In high temperatures, rabbits require cool, fresh water - in large quantities. Ventilation, shade and a close eye on ambient temperature is crucial to keeping healthy rabbits in summer heat.
Penelope's Rabbitry is no exception. Our rabbits are housed in a small shed with ventilation, but without temperature control. They recieve fresh water twice a day, and more often when temperatures climb over 90 degrees. A lactating female in these temperatures may drink a 1/2 gallon of water in a day! That is a lot of refills! When temperatures reach 90 degrees, Penelope's rabbits are checked hourly for distress or discomfort. When temperature climb inside the shed, the rabbits enjoy time in the grass, in the shade.
Summer heat brings other concerns. Keeping rabbit cages clean is always important to maintain healthy, happy animals. In summer, cages need to be cleaned more frequently. Higher water consumption means more urine production. More urine means messier trays under cages. And messy trays mean flies!
Please keep your rabbits safe this summer. Keep your angoras well-groomed. Provide cool, fresh water for every rabbit, twice per day. Keep them in the coolest location available. And don't neglect to clean out under-cage trays or remove manure piles under outdoor hutches! Refresh your memory on first aid care for a rabbit with heat exhaustion - and make sure you have a phone number for your 24-hour emergency veterinarian.
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