Looking after your rabbit in winter
Seasonal changes can have as much effect on your rabbit as humans, the winter can impact their health and natural behaviours. On this page, we will look into how you can help keep your rabbit warm during the winter months as well as navigating increased health risks. It’s also important to stay alert to common winter poisons and increased outdoor risks.
Do rabbits hibernate in winter?
Rabbits do not hibernate. If your rabbit appears sleepy, lethargic or limp, he/she may be unwell. Seek veterinary attention immediately.
Rabbits are social animals and tend to rely on their social structure for warmth and protection. Normal behaviours for rabbits in the winter can include curling up into a ball or huddling together to share body heat. Rabbits actually cope with the colder months pretty well, you’ll find them shedding their summer coat for a thicker winter coat to keep warm.
Domestic rabbits often become more active and playful as it gets colder. You might see your rabbit start darting around and doing some binkies. They are also more likely to be active in other rabbit behaviours, such as digging and chewing. You must take the time to rabbit-proof your house protecting wiring and corners in case they get the urge to burrow.
How to keep rabbits healthy in winter
Is your rabbit eating and drinking normally? Are they producing normal-looking droppings regularly? Is your rabbit behaving normally? If the answer to any of these questions is no, seek vet advice urgently as your rabbit could be seriously ill.
You can help keep them healthy by providing a balanced diet, in winter they will need more calories to maintain their body temperature. You can feed them vegetables like celeriac, parsnip, parsley root, beetroot, or cabbage. They also need a constant supply of fresh, clean water, which should be checked twice daily to ensure it hasn't frozen. Providing both a bowl and a bottle can be beneficial, as many rabbits prefer drinking from a bowl.
Ensure they have plenty of extra bedding like hay to snuggle into, which helps them stay warm. Consider moving their enclosure to a more sheltered area, like a shed or garage, to protect them from the elements, while ensuring they have space to exercise. They need hiding places to feel safe, so the enclosure should have two entry/exit points to prevent one rabbit from blocking another.
How to keep rabbits warm in winter
A temperature of between 10-20°C is recommended as ideal for domestic rabbits. If the temperature starts to drop below freezing, you may wish to move your rabbit inside. If you decide to bring your rabbits indoors, they'll need plenty of time and room to exercise in a safe and secure environment.
To keep your rabbits warm in winter, it's important to provide them with a well-insulated shelter with plenty of bedding. Ensure their living area is dry and free from drafts, and consider using a heat lamp or pad if necessary. Keep your rabbits dry in rainy weather by making sure the indoor area of their enclosure has a sloped roof to allow water to drain away. Raise it off the ground by at least four inches and place it in a sheltered position, facing away from wind and rain.
Regularly check their water supply to prevent it from freezing and provide a diet rich in fibre with fresh forage and vegetables every day.
How to keep rabbits safe in winter
Outdoor rabbit hutches may need some adjustments in the winter to keep your rabbits safe. Keep the hutch out of the wind, rain, snow, and sleet. Consider raising the hutch to prevent frost from the ground as well as insulating the walls with cardboard, blankets or insulation boards. Remember to make sure they're still well-ventilated.
Keep their enclosures clean, removing wet bedding daily as wet bedding will freeze on cold nights and this could make them ill. Ensure your rabbits always have fresh clean water to drink and check at least twice a day that it isn't frozen. A water bowl is less likely to freeze than a bottle.
During the winter, foxes and badgers get even hungrier which makes them bolder than usual. Make sure your hutch is sturdy enough to survive the attention of a determined predator.
Common winter poisons for rabbits
Common winter poisons for rabbits include rodent poisons, certain plants, and antifreeze. Here are some key poisons to look out for:
Plants
- Foxglove - found growing wild in woodlands and hedges, can cause diarrhoea, dehydration, abdominal pain, weakness and irregular heart rhythm
- Ivy - leaves and berries are particularly toxic and can cause lethargy, diarrhoea and loss of appetite. In severe cases it can result in twitching, fitting, collapse and fatal paralysis
Chemicals
- Antifreeze - the active ingredient in antifreeze, Ethylene glycol, can cause kidney failure and death
- Rodent poisons - also known as ‘rodenticides’ can cause life-threatening bleeding
Foods
- Rhubarb - can irritate the mouth, loss of appetite, lethargy, diarrhoea, abdominal tenderness and severe dehydration
- Avocado - contains a compound called persin which can cause respiratory problems and even heart failure in rabbits if ingested
- Chocolate - contains theobromine and caffeine and can cause vomiting, diarrhoea, increased heart rate, restlessness, tremors, seizures, and lethargy if ingested
We also have more information about other poisons for rabbits throughout the year.
Never ‘watch and wait’
If you suspect your rabbit's been poisoned, contact a vet immediately.