Rabbits in winter

[niffybums]

How can I keep my rabbit warm in winter? I've heard about plastic coverings to cover the cage but cant find any? Can anyone help?

[lynneuk74]

Where is the rabbit? Mine lives in the garage. I have basically given her extra bedding (an old jumper to rip up to her hearts content).

If the hutch is outside I would advise creating some sort of 'windbreak' to shield from the bad weather.

Finally ensure he/she has plenty of food as they need to eat more to keep warm.

[WendyS]

Thick sacking covers over the hutch might help, and plenty of crumped up newspaper or straw inside the hutch. But a waterproof cover over the roof is essential. If all else fails, some plastic bin liners pinned onto a cheap old coat bought from a charity shop might help keep the wind & rain ou (or plastic bubblewrap, designed to line greenhouses bought from a garden centre). But if it's going to be frosty overnight, your pet really ought to be in a shed or garage. .

[logman]

Animales seem to do amazingly well at generating their own body heat, i would give it plenty of hay which they also like to eat, as well as keeping them warm and dry. Flaked maze and bran should also help. Good Luck.....

[funnywebsite]

I saw on a programme and they advised bringing them in at night, i.e a shed a garage or even the kitchen.

[Kingaroo]

Don't bring an outdoor rabbit into the house -- the huge temperature change will make it hard for Bun to stay hardy for the cold. Bring into a shed or garage if you feel your shelter isn't going to protect from freezing rain, but not into a heated house.

A small, watertight, draft-free shelter is what bunnies like. That and some other bunnies to generate more heat!

[ShellyHall]

I use an old sleeping bag to cover my bunny's hutch at night during winter, plus I have a "bottle snug" which wraps around her water bottle to stop it freezing.

The company I got the bottle snug from also sell hutch covers - see the link below.

http://www.scratchandnewtonshop.com/

There's also lots of hay in her hutch and a cardboard box for her to bed down in.