The Heat

[Drifting Dreams]

For the past few days, its been very hot. My bunny has also been acting a little strange, so I’m not sure if it’s just the heat or he’s sick. He’s been hiding in his little hut and won’t really come out unless I coax him with lettuce. Also, he’s not eating his normal food (however, my supply is running low, so now there is that kind of powdery stuff mixed in with the food, which maybe he doesn’t like?). He will eat lettuce and carrots, though. He’s also not nearly as out and about as usual.

Houdini’s about 2 years old and I’ve had him for a couple months now. He’s also neutered.

Thoughts?

[RabbitPam]

They do get lethargic in the heat, so you could try some cooling techniques and then see if he behaves more normally. If not, then take him to the vet. In the meantime, keep an eye on his poos to see if they are coming out normally.

The info. page on this site has some tips, but my 2 favorites are: take an empty plastic bottle (coke, or seltzer etc.) and rinse it thoroughly, then fill with water. Put it in the freezer until it’s frozen. Lay it on its side (tightly screw the cap closed) in his house, maybe against one cage wall. He will lie against it and it will cool off his body. Also, as it melts, the condensation can be licked, so be sure the outside is clean and the label is removed.

My other fav. is to take a washcloth, wet it with cool water, wring it out so it’s almost dry, and wrap both ears in it like a turban. My bunnies used to let it stay like that on their heads for quite a while. The inside of the ears is particularly sensitive to being cooled with a cool cloth. Not freezing cold.

Remember, a bunny will doze during the bulk of the day anyway, so when it’s hot, it’s a good time to stay in the shade for a long siesta.

[MoveDiagonally]

Just popping in with some links.

The cooling tips page:
https://binkybunny.com/BUNNYINFO/tabid/53/CategoryID/23/PID/940/Default.aspx

And a recent forum discussion with mor cooling tips/info:
https://binkybunny.com/FORUM/tabid/54/aft/125077/Default.aspx

[Drifting Dreams]

Thank you guys! I will definitely try some of these techniques.

I also just found out that Houdini is afraid of the fan. I had it by his cage to cool him down, but once it had been put away, he came out of his cage. Houdini is still not being as playful, but I’m hoping it’s just from the heat.

[Deleted User]

My sympathies on the fan not being liked! That’s such a great feeling isn’t it? You set something up to help make them more comfortable and it has the reverse effect.

Glad you worked it out and he’s playing again. Think a larger fan blowing more generally across the room and his cage might work better? I know my Labrador was like that, walked away from a little fan set up for her bed, but found the best spot in the room for the big pedistal one to catch her when it went by.

[Drifting Dreams]

Yeah, ikr? I’ll have to see if we have a bigger fan, and if he’s afraid of it or not.

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