Greenwich Rabbit Rescue

WINTER TIME IS NOT A MAJOR PROBLEM FOR RABBITS AS THERE WELL SUITED TO THE COLD.
THERE ARE STEPS YOU SHOULD MAKE TO ENSURE THEIR WELL BEING IN THE WINTER MONTHS.

1. BOTTLE COVER [OR OLD SOCK] KEEPS WATER BOTTLES FROM FREEZING.
2. LOTS OF NICE SOFT STRAW FOR A GOOD BED
3. HUTCH COVER [ MAKE SURE ITS NOT AIR TIGHT A BIT OF VENTILATION IS NEEDED]
4. A BLANKET OVER THE CAGE AND THEN WATER PROOF TARPALING.
5. RABBITS NEED TO BE PROTECTED FROM WIND AND RAIN.
6. MOVE HUTCH CLOSER TO THE HOUSE. [ IDEALY UP AGAINST THE HOUSE WALL OR A GARAGE]
7. G/PIGS ARE NOT ABLE TO COPE WITH THE VERY COLD WEATHER SO EITHER BRING THEM INSIDE OR INTO A SHED OR
   
8. GARAGE AND COVER AT NIGHT WITH A BLANKET.
9. A LITTLE EXTRA FOOD TO HELP YOUR PET LAY DOWN A LITTLE WINTER FAT. [ I SAID LITTLE]
10. CLEAN OUT WEE CORNER MORE OFTEN SO THERE IS NOT A BIG WET AREA.

RABBITS CAN STILL ENJOY A GOOD RUN EVEN ON COLD DAYS WHEN THERES SNOW   

I have found a fantastic way of protecting the rabbits here from the summer heat. Its an aluiminum greenhouse shading.

The company that provided it has given it to us for free and i thank them very much. This material has the potential to help your pet rabbits as well. The one i have cuts out up to 60% of the heat and glare getting to the rabbits in there cages. Its in meter lenthgs and ive just attatched it to batons of wood in sections so it can be stored away easily in the winter, this is atatched to a simple frame. I carnt beleive the difference it has made. I can now stop worring about the hot weather. The details and links to the simplecontrol people who supply it are as follows.

link to web site:

The summer is just around the corner. Rabbits in the wild live underground and are not out in the heat of the day.

Protection is vital against the heat of the sun, many rabbits every year are dying from heat stroke. Hear are a few helpfull hints on

protecting your rabbits.

Heatstroke most commonly occurs when temperatures are 82° or above. High humidity (over 70%) can also increase the likelihood of heatstroke. Other risk factors include inadequate shade and ventilation, overcrowding, and other forms of stress.The signs of heat stroke are as follows.

Panting                                                                                      

Bright red tongue

Slobbering, or thick, sticky saliva

Depression

Weakness

Reluctance to move

Convulsions

Fast, shallow breathing

Hot ears

Listlessness

Wetness around the nose area

Tossing back of head while breathing rapidly from open mouth.                              

Ultimately, death

What to do, remove your rabbit from the  hot area and contact your vet

wet ears feet and fur with cool water. Do not put the rabbit in water as cooling them down to quickly can cause life threating problems.

Your vet will lower your pet's body temperature to a safe range (if you have not already) and continually monitor his temperature. Your pet will be given fluids, and possibly oxygen. He will be monitored for shock, respiratory distress, kidney failure, heart abnormalities, and other complications, and treated accordingly. Blood samples may be taken before and during the treatment. The clotting time of the blood may be monitored, since clotting problems are a common complication.

things to keep your rabbit cool are, tiles layed in their cage to lay on , ice cubes in their water bottles, misting of their ears.fans , air conditioners, umbrellas over the cage.

Place the cage in as much shade as possable, if the cage is in a shed then ventilation is vital.

I am testing out a sun screen to keep my rabbits cool. Its a aliuminum grrenhouse shading that sould reflect up to half the heat away from my cages. Will let you know later how good it is.