ok I found a big white fluffy rabbit with red eyes over a week ago,
I put posters up and no one came forward so I kept him, my dad dont like animals so he said I can only keep him if I get a hutch, so I bought a hutch and made a huge run,
he loves being out in it but the problem is, just now it rained and he was hoping mad jumping every where, hinding under his hutch then running out then running inside his hutch.
but I just read the rain can kill them so I put him in his hutch and locked the door, is this right the rain could kill him?
2007-09-16 06:08:27 · 14 answers · asked by April 3 in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
What you heard about rain killing them is partially true and partially false.
Wild rabbits do get out of the rain by hiding under brush and in logs, etc.
A rabbit can be out in the rain to an extent and it not hurt them, but rabbits are very susceptible to pneumonia. When a rabbit gets wet, cold, and there is a wind it can get pneumonia fairly easily. Pneumonia can kill a rabbit in 1-2 days.
Just like people, we can go out in the rain and not get a cold or pneumonia most of the time. But if you get soaked and cold and aren't dressed warm enough it can give a person a cold or pneumonia. The same applies with a rabbit.
As far as the running around, the rabbit may either be having fun, trying to avoid the rain, or the sounds of the storm could be scaring it. To avoid the rabbit getting scared by sounds, keep a radio playing out around the hutch pretty much 24/7. Getting a rabbit used to sound helps keep them calm during storms and when other loud noises occur.
One note, winter is approaching quickly. Your hutch will soon need to be winterized. That means it needs a roof and needs protected on left side, right side, and back from the wind with solid panels. Rabbits can take the cold very well. They can take the cold down to about -10F. However they cannot take a draft very well. A draft will give them pneumonia. To prevent a wind draft in the hutch, make sure it is enclosed on three sides like I was stating so the wind can't blow through it.
2007-09-17 02:08:52 · answer #1 · answered by devilishblueyes 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Rain can not kill rabbits, just look at how many wild rabbits there are about and your rabbit came from the same stock in the first place.
As we are getting into the time of year when we normally get more rain, put a plastic cover over the run to keep the worst of the rain out.
2007-09-17 14:39:54 · answer #2 · answered by Gender Bender 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Rain won't kill your bunny. It's great that you are caring so well for him.....they must get out in a large run every day BUT rabbits are not good at surviving illness so never leave him out in the cold or rain for long. They catch colds so easily and often don't survive as they have poor immune systems.
Put a cover over half the run so he can choose whether to play in the rain for a bit then run back under cover. Maybe put a cardboard box in the run too with hay in it to keep him snug and feel safe.
Look at the websites about rabbits and learn how to care for them and you will be fine and have a happy, healthy bunny...aaahhh they're so lovely !
Good luck
2007-09-16 18:58:24 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
No the rain will not kill him,but in general rabbits like to be dry.
Attach your run to his hutch so he can go in and out at will.
2007-09-16 13:21:40 · answer #4 · answered by Arthur C 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Rain cannot kill rabbits, dont know where that comes from, our rabbit loves the rain and is quite happy ( she can get back in her hutch whenever she wants, its open) she cleans her fur and grooms herself in it, no problem at all. As long as there is lots of hay in the hutch to keep him warm when he goes back in he will be ok.
2007-09-16 13:16:16 · answer #5 · answered by julie a 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Its the damp that can kill them, but mine loves it in the rain the nutter !!
Your rabbit is bounding around you say , hes excited, and when he s jumping in mid air this means he s happy.
As long as he has shelter he will be fine, he'll survive longer with you then being in the wild. Good on you for looking after him. Make sure hes got plenty of hay to snuggle in!
any more tips just ask :)
2007-09-17 05:24:37 · answer #6 · answered by Swan 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Below is a website regarding the care of both indoor and outdoor rabbits. I can't imagine rain would kill them or the rabbit population would be much lower. The website does however list many hazards you may or may not know about.
2007-09-16 13:15:27 · answer #7 · answered by MZOrr 2 · 4⤊ 0⤋
That would be false, why would rain kill a rabbit unless it flooded and drowned...rabbits in the wild go out in the rain. He probably just didn't like getting wet that's all.
2007-09-16 13:13:26 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
you're very good to look after the bunny. i have a bunny too but i keep her indoors. you could protect her from the rain by getting a plastic sheet to throw over her cage in the rain-maybe a see through one so he can still see what's happening outside. Make sure there's a gap so he can still breathe easily though!
i don't think the rain would kill him but he could maybe catch a cold,
good luck!
2007-09-16 13:19:02 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
where did you read that rain kills rabbits? How would wild ones survive if that was true? My bunnies play out in the rain, but they don't like it much and don't stay out long!
2007-09-16 13:14:44 · answer #10 · answered by flopsy 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋