Cooling Ideas

[LongEaredLions]

Roxi and Lionel are picky about what they use to cool themselves down (just like they are about everything!). Frozen water bottles are treated as invaders, ceramic tiles are flung loudly across the room, and any type of fan is given the bunny butt (from a safe distance so the air won’t touch them!)

Do any of you have any “unique” cooling methods for bunnies? I thought at first that they (the bunnies) might not be using the bottles, etc, because they were not hot, but we do not have an AC, and in the daytime the house can get to the mid to high seventies. How can they not be feeling at least a little warm with all the fluff they’ve got? I’m worried they might overheat? But of course I worry about most everything with my little fluffballs?

[Troubledbunnymom]

I would use the frozen water bottle, but I cover it with a soft sock so my bunnies would love to cuddle it. Then I would put ice cubes at their water. I also use those cooling beds that are for dogs or cats. My bunnies love it when it’s inside their hidey house.

If having a cooling bed is too expensive you can just make a DIY cooling bed. Got this idea from some doggy lover.

Items that you will need are:
1. A small air mattress or those small inflatable pools floats
2. 5 cups of rubbing alcohol
3. 5 cups of water
4. 1 bottle liquid dish soap
5. Superglue

Steps:
1. Make sure the air mattress has no leaks. Unroll it.
2. Gently mix the rubbing alcohol, water, and liquid dish soap. Do not create a bubbly foam just make sure it’s just mixed with not too much bubbles.
3. Now fill the air mattress with the mixture.
4. Squish out the excess air as much as you can.
5. Make sure the valve or the opening of the air mattress is dry. Then close it up with the super glue.
6. Now, roll the whole thing up, as small as you can and tuck it into your freezer. Check on it every hour to make sure it has that watery texture not a cold slab of ice.
7. Put the gel pad air mattress under a blanket and watch your bunnies sleep there. Make sure the blanket is a strong blanket you don’t want the bunnies clawing the air mattress.

Note: Do not freeze this all the way your bunny could have ice burns.

[LittlePuffyTail]

My buns don’t like the water bottles either. I have little kennel fans that I attach to their condo doors and put a frozen bottle in front of it so the cool air is directed towards them.

[jerseygirl]

I guess they’re are down lower where is slightly cooler too. Sounds like they’re coping ok…
I don’t have any new suggestions. You could do the DIY evap a/c trick with wet cloth and a fan perhaps. Maybe wet cheesecloth (or similar open-weave natural fabric) strung on outside of pen and fan directed at it.

ETA: ooh! I just envisioned your lionheads standing on a grate like Marilyn Monroe lol!
I know some people have buns that like those floor vents, but sounds as if your guys dont like a direct breeze??

[Author]

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