Okay so here is the deal. I am new to this forum and new to Rabbits. I decided to take in an angora rabbit as the family that had him before was either going to have to find someone to take him or feed him to their pet snake because their son wasn’t caring for it and they didn’t have the time themselves it took to care for him properly. I got all wide eyed and concerned and said I would take him. He has a good set up the only issue is, my room doesn’t stay cool all the time. I live in an area above the garage that does not have central air. I do however have a window unit but it still gets way to hot. We are in the middle of a heat wave right now so the room gets to 85 degrees.
Today wasn’t too bad, I have been looking up quite a few tips and tricks on this site to keep the rabbit cool. Bottles of Ice, a fan blowing near but not on, cool water, fresh cool greens. The issue is that even with all of that I am scared for his well being. My over-all question is, tomorrow I work an 8 hour day and will then be home. I bought a dog carrier, the hard plastic kind, with the cage front. I also bought an extra water bottle that I can attach to the front so he could drink. My intention is to keep him in the carrier for the time I am at work and put him in the main level house where it is cooler. I am not able to put his entire cage down there because I have roommates that ave 2 large dogs and a small child and there is no place to set up his entire cage.
The carrier is large enough for him to turn around in, and move a little, but it is smaller. He would be in a much cooler atmosphere vs upstairs. But in a smaller cage. I planned to set him up in an area where the dogs and child can’t disturb him but he will have to stay in the carrier. I plan to put fresh hay in there with him.
Would you suggest me leaving him in his bigger cage in 85 degree heat with a fan while I am at work for 8 hours, or keeping him in a small carrier for 8 hours where he will be in 70 degree temps?
I read a few posts about people traveling with rabbits and driving long distances. I know being in a small cage for 8 hours will not kill him even though it isn’t ideal. But I do know with him being such a fluffy wooly rabbit that the heat IS a real threat to him.
Just looking for some insight, and perhaps if the insight is to keep him in the carrier, what should I use as bedding? I was thinking of using paper towels and hay ( I do have wood pellets that are in his main cage but was not sure if I should also place those in the carrier) as he seems to like to lay on the hard plastic in his main cage.
Thanks for any advice that can be given. Also this rabbit hates Parsley and papaya, I don’t know what I am going to do with him!