Does my house rabbit need bedding in the winter?

Question

My two house rabbits live in my spare room. They have a really big pen with a hutch in it that they can hop in and out of (I've taken the front off but the "bedroom" bit is still enclosed). While I'm at home to supervise, they have the run of the house.

Just wondered if I should put bedding in now it's getting colder. They never use the bedroom bit of the hutch, they always sleep on the floor and when I'm at home I have the heating on but leave the radiator off in their room (they seem to prefer it in there because it's cooler). So do I need to give them bedding or will they be ok in an unheated (draught free) room?

Answer 1

yes you should. I used to put bedding in my rabbits hutch all yaer round and she was inside. They like to barrow them selfs into it, just like they do in the wild. Also they love to eat the hay/straw. Put plenty in and them will make a bed for themselves and lay there rather than the floor.

Answer 2

When I was a kid I had a house rabbit called Billy. We were able to teach him to use a cat litter tray so I remember him being quite clean. I do think he had the tendancy to nibble things so if you do get a house rabbit just don't put any down at his height that you want ruined!

Answer 3

Bedding is snuggly, not just warm. I think most animals have an instinct to snuggle, but you'd soon find out. Put something there for them and see if they use it. Maybe an old fleece or something similar. I use old cloth nappies for my cats to snuggle into.

Out of interest - how come your rabbits don't chew your house wires - and don't they wee on the floor?

By the way - it's fantastic that you are giving your pets so much space. I hate to think of animals in tiny hutches and cages.

Answer 4

Since it's getting colder they might want it on now (depending on where you live and how cold it gets during your winter) and I don't think leaving them with no heat is a good idea. Unless you put a lot of bedding it probably won't keep them too warm, just give them a blanket or something they can lie on and anyway they will probably snuggle to keep warm.

Answer 5

Rabbits aclimate well to different temperautres. If you have never used bedding for them before you don't have to start now. You'll notice as the temerautre's get cooler there going to eat more to build up there fat. There fat act's like a coat and stores and retains heat better than you think. So I would'nt worry about it. My daughter has 6 rabbits that she has had for almost 7 years and she never uses bedding for them unless her females are pregnant.

Answer 6

I have 2 house rabbits as well and during the winter I give each of them a towel. They enjoy playing with them as well as sleeping on them. I give them regular size shower towels. Ones that I am not going to use again because they like to tear them up as well. It keeps them warm and gives them something new to play with.

Answer 7

I think you should give them bedding all year round, with more in winter than summer.

This is only my opinion and not based on any actual experience as my rabbit is kept outside.

Answer 8

i think you should have a bed all year round for it a dog has a dog bed so really the rabbit should have a rabbit bed with lots of stuff to keep warm under

Answer 9

well you could always add bedding just in case they want to use it,just use some old shredded news paper,or you can go to a pet store and buy bed fluff its around $3-$4 .
its better to be safe then sorry.and if they don't use it,you dint waist a lot of money.

Answer 10

You should put bedding in there for them, that way they wont be sleeping on the cold floor.