To cold outside?

[WildRabbitsRock]

My rabbit is in a 2 story hutch. One side on the top blocks the wind. At night I put a tarp over it. It is below 0 right now. Feeling like -23!! If I have the tarp over it at night, will he be ok?? I think he is a couple months old I not sure. The previous owners didn’t know the age or breed. So will he be ok? I don’t want him to get sick or die because it’s so cold. Thanks.

[Cottontail]

I would say that if it’s too cold for you to spend the night outside, it’s too cold for the bunny. Honestly, with the temperatures you describe I would not leave any animal outside, tarp or not.

Is there any way that you can bring the bunny inside the house? Or if not the house, into a garage with a space heater? I would feel very uncomfortable leaving him out in those temperatures.

[WildRabbitsRock]

My parents don’t really want him in the house because he stinks :/ If he would get sick outside they might. But my uncle has raised rabbits his whole life and he said bring the rabbit in and out of the house (from really cold to hot or from hot to really cold) he could get sick. Is that true? I can ask about bring him inside. People said rabbits do better in the cold and not the heat, but it is really cold outside lol.

[Cottontail]

Although bunnies don’t like too much heat (I believe about 80 degrees F and up is the general range for too high?) I think that the main thing to keep in consideration is that there is a difference between cool weather and extreme cold. It’s also true that if you bring any animal (including people) back and forth between extremes that they are more likely to get sick… but coming in from the extreme cold and staying warm (not hot) is definitely the better option, in my opinion.

Hopefully some of the other members will log on soon, and will be able to give you some more advise on the subject.

[Roberta]

In the wild a rabbit would live in a burrow. These not only insulate against the heat they also keep them warm in the cold. In a burrow/warren they would also have the body heat of the warren mates to keep them warm. Extreme cold will kill them as will heat only more slowly and painfully. Your bunny needs to come in, you are risking your bunny suffering URI, Pneumonia and Frostbite (which will lead to paws and feet freezing) Get your bunny inside even if its the basement.

[Roberta]

Oh, your Uncle probably had multiple rabbits if he was a “breeder”. A single rabbit does not have the benefit of others to keep them warm and breeders are not known for boasting about their losses especially when many breed them for meat not companionship. Not being harsh, just stating a fact. As to smell, keeping his cage and litter tray cleaned and getting him neutered will prevent odours. 

[WildRabbitsRock]

Ok thank you guys! I’ll tell my parents and they will probably let me bring him in. He is on the bottom level of the hutch most the time and doesn’t have a bottom, it’s on concrete (on the porch) so I guess he could get frostbite if he’s on that a lot since it’s always cold.

[MoxieMeadows]

A general rule I like to use, is that if it’s too cold for me, it is too cold for my pets. Although some breeds of animals can survive colder temperatures (example a Siberian Husky would do better then a Chihuahua) it doesn’t mean it’s good for them. I would say that temperature is way too cold for your bun. Even though you put a tarp over it, it doesn’t provide the best insulation, and a single bun doesn’t have the benift of the body heat of others.

I also agree with what Roberta said, keeping his area clean and fixing your rabbit would help prevent odors.
Best of luck! ?

[Megabunny]

Yes, I’ve had PLENTY of outdoor rabbits in my life and I never left them out all winter. It’s just too stinkin cold.

[tobyluv]

I was once speaking with a veterinarian and discussing temperature extremes for rabbits. She said it is dangerous for them to be outside if it goes below 20 degrees F. My bunnies have a screen porch that they stay on during the day in nice weather, and they always come in at night. If it is too cold or too hot outside, they will be inside during the day with the air conditioning or heat.

I have heard of instances where unneutered rabbits got their testicles frozen to the wire floor of an outside hutch in extremely cold weather. That is horrible to think of.

[Megabunny]

That’s funny. I just started leaving Gus out on our screened in porch since we moved to SC. I take him in at night too. Can’t figure out if he likes it or not because he doesn’t seem to mess too much in the litter box when he’s out there. It’s pretty cold this week so he will stay in.
Sure wish your shelter was closer to me! All we have at ours is cats and dogs, so I’ll give it a try, but don’t know if I’ll like it.

[LBJ10]

They cancelled school here because of the extreme cold. Frostbite is a real concern. Please bring your bunny inside. Even a basement or insulated garage is better than being exposed to the elements. A tarp will do nothing to protect from such extreme temperatures.

[MoxieMeadows]

You should really bring your rabbit inside if you haven’t already. If it’s below 20 F (ESPECIALLY below 0 F) Your rabbit can die, or get frostbite, or various other illnesses that will result in $$$ or death.

[tobyluv]

Another reason not to have your rabbit outside in this cold, is that they won’t have water when it gets below freezing.

[Roberta]

That sounds great Wild Rabbits, the concrete would be a real worry for his little feet.
Send us some pics of your little guy. You’ll probably be having lots of snuggles with him indoors rather than out and the best part is he will be a part of the family and you can also see if there are any health changes or problems early. Spotting a health problem early can save lots of money at the vet by getting early treatment, sadly bunnies outside die from treatable illnesses because by the time some one notices it’s already too late or the vet bills become long and excessive because a condition has worsened without treatment.

[WildRabbitsRock]

Ok thank you guys. I brought him in the same day I posted this. (Later) thanks for all the info about the temp and everything!

[WildRabbitsRock]

Roberta , StarSky looks EXACTLY like my rabbit!! Maybe I can send u a pic some time of mine

[Beka27]

I’m glad you were able to bring him in! Last week was freeeeeezing here! My son’s school was cancelled for 2 days just for the cold!

If it drops below freezing (32F), or WILL drop below freezing overnight, will your parents let you bring him in for that time period? Even a dry basement or sun room/mud room would be better than just sitting out in the elements.

[HoldenCaufield]

please don’t put him back outside. or give him to somebody who can properly care for another living being.

[Megabunny]

That’s harsh. Kids do all they can with the limits set forth by their parents, and this set of parents actually sound willing to work with their child, so I applaud that. While I would hate to see the rabbit go outside again this winter, now that it’s accustomed to the indoor climate, just because it is an outside pet doesn’t mean it isn’t cared for properly

[Roberta]

Ummm, Guys, I don’t know what post you’re reading but WRR’s folks have already allowed her bunny to move in and there is no mention of him being put out again. As far as I am concerned, kudos to WRR and her parents for making that choice.

[Megabunny]

It look like it’s unclear as to the final decision. I hope she lets us know. It would be great for the family to see rabbits aren’t smelly and make fun indoor pets.

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