I know that rabbits shouldn't be bathed or anything, but if it's really hot out, is it o.k. to cool them down by misting water on them? would they like it?
2007-03-11 09:53:12 · 10 answers · asked by Amber _rose 2 in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
they do like it-- or you can put some wet dirt in thier cage-- they like to step in it-- it cools them off
2007-03-11 14:56:43 · answer #1 · answered by cali s 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You are right that rabbits shouldn't be bathed. And if it is really hot outside it should be totally OK to cool them down by misting water on them. Most rabbit breeders will wet down their ears with ice water or put in a frozen bottle for them to lay against. Fans also work good. And I have seen fans in conjunction with a mister in front of the cage used to cool them down in really hot weather. Just make sure to turn the mister off at night and only have it on through the hot of the day. If you leave it on when it is cool you might risk giving your rabbit pneumonia. One of the best things is just having their cage in a shady spot like under a maple tree. Sometimes a grapevine ran over the hutch can be used for shade. Also white roofing on the rabbit hutch or rabbit barn will help by reflecting a large portion of the sun's rays. It's also good to open the cages up so a breeze can flow through in the summer. In the cool weather you want the cage enclosed on three sides to avoid a draft to help prevent pneumonia.
I don't recommend the salt lick like the one person stated. If you have a wire cage it will rust your cage out. Your rabbit pellets should have all the salt your rabbit needs, so a salt lick is not needed.
There are two reasons why rabbits are not bathed. The first reason is that you risk pneumonia, especially if the water is not kept warm and the rabbit is not kept in a fairly warm area afterwards. Pneumonia will kill your rabbit in 1-2 days.
The second reason is that bathing your rabbit removes the natural oils out of your rabbit's fur. Removing those oils damages the fur follicles.
A light mist on your rabbit's fur is OK. You just want to avoid getting the fur soaking wet. When you bathe a rabbit you get the fur soaking wet.
2007-03-15 05:18:53 · answer #2 · answered by devilishblueyes 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I usually put in frozen 20 ounce pop bottles with the label removed for my rabbits to lay against when it's hot outside. Also you can mist them with water if you'd like, if they are in a building you could run a fan by their cage but don't blow the air directly on them. The best way to cool down a rabbit is by putting cool water on it's ears as this is where most of their heat escapes from. Good luck,
2007-03-13 07:18:59 · answer #3 · answered by neth_dwarf2004 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I bought a piece of marble tile from Home Depot to put in my bunny's cage for her to lay on. It stays cold. The body temperature of a rabbit makes their ears the hottest part of the their body, so misting the ears lightly would be ok. Also, on really hot days you can freeze a water bottle about 3/4 filled and put it in the bunny's cage. They'll lay up against it to keep them cool.
Hope this helps!
2007-03-11 09:58:53 · answer #4 · answered by wickeddanibella26 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
When it's really hot out it is okay to lightly mist your bun's ears if he'll tolerate it. Another idea is to fill a bottle (something like a 2litre bottle) and freeze it and then put it in bun's cage so he has something cool to sit against. Also placing a damp towel over part of his cage and having a fan blow cool air will make a nice spot for bun to relax. You could add ice cubes to his water bottle/dish so he'll have nice cold water as well. Hope this helps keep bun cool! Good luck =)
2007-03-11 10:02:21 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Rabbits actually CAN be bathed. Misting water on them will not harm them in any way. It can be said whether the bunny will enjoy it of not. Rabbits can usually maintain their own boy temperatures through their ears. (heat escapes through their ears, this is a bunny's version of sweating).
Your rabbit should be fine if its an indoor rabbit. If its an outdoor rabbit, keep it in the shade and provide it with plenty of cold water. (keep a few ice cubes in his water to help keep it cooler longer).
Hope this helps!
2007-03-11 10:00:03 · answer #6 · answered by Ren 2 · 3⤊ 1⤋
MAKE SURE THEY HAVE A SALT-LICK IN THE RUN AREA.AND A PLACE WHERE ITS SHADY AND SOMEWHAT COOL . I WOULDNT SPRINKLE THEM BUT I MIGHT PUT A SMALL ELECTRIC FAN SO IT BLOWS INTO THE PEN. ALWAYS RAISE THEM IN A PEN OFF THE GROUND AND WIRE FLOORING. ONE HALF OF THE AREA COVERED FOR LIVING QUARTERS AND THE RUN CAN BE COMPLETELY OPEN ( WIRED ALL OVER EXCEPT A PIECE OF WATER PROOF STUFF ON TOP TO KEEP THE RAIN OFF THEM IN THE RUN AND THE SUN ETC. YOUR FEED DISHES CAN BE HEAVY CERAMIC SO THE RABBITS CANT UPSET THE WATER AND FEED DISHES EASILY.RABBITS LIKE TO GNAW ON WOOD EDGES SO ALWAYS BUILD YOUR PEN SO NO WOOD EDGES ARE EXPOSED. IF YOU BREED TO SELL TRY RAISING ROTHSVILLE DUTCH OR A BREED THAT IS VERY SELLABLE. AND BETTER YET IF YOU WANT TO SELL MAKE PENS TOO AND DELIVER THEM WHEREVER. YOU CAN SAVE CONSIDERABLE MONEY ON PELLETS IF YOU BUY 50 LBS ETC AT A TIME, BUT START SLOWLY AND GET A FEEL FOR IT. FEED IS AVAILABLE AT FARMERS EXCHANGES ETC`.
2007-03-11 10:15:02 · answer #7 · answered by woolly worm 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It might scare them to spray water on them. Maybe just get your hand a little wet and petting the rabbit so it get's a little cooler.
2007-03-11 09:59:01 · answer #8 · answered by ~Hayden~ 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes it's perfectly fine.I had rabbits once and I got them both wet once(can't remember why),wasn't a problem at all.
2007-03-11 09:57:33 · answer #9 · answered by Maggie 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It'd be better if you put in a big bowl of water and they could get in themselves if they wanted to.
2007-03-11 09:57:07 · answer #10 · answered by Moral Orel 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋