Although they may look small and fragile, rabbits are surprisingly well-adapted to cold temperatures. With appropriate husbandry, a healthy adult rabbit can be comfortable in temperatures down to 40 degrees Fahrenheit and can tolerate temperatures that are even lower if necessary.
How cold is too cold? The ideal temperature for rabbits is from about 60-70°F (15-20°C), but rabbits can be comfortable in temperatures ranging from around 40-75°F. For rabbits that are used to the cold, they can still do okay in temperatures down to about 15°F as long as they are kept dry and out of the wind.
Symptoms include shivering (although this will suddenly stop when their temperature reaches dangerously low levels), pale lips and gums, low energy and a loss of coordination. Hypothermia is an emergency, so if you spot any of these symptoms, bring them into the warm and contact your vet immediately.
Rabbits typically do well in colder temperatures. Rabbits stop shedding their fur during the fall and grow a thick fur coat that keeps them warm in the winter. They are relatively comfortable in temperatures as low as 32 degrees.
A temperature of between 10-20°C is recommended as ideal for domestic rabbits, though they can cope with lower temperatures, but tend to suffer from too much heat. If the temperature starts to reach freezing, you may wish to consider moving your rabbits' home indoors or into an outhouse, shed or unused garage.
Most reference cite optimal temperatures in the 50 - 70 °F (10 - 22 °C) ranges, with some sources allowing as low as 40 °F (5 °C) or as high as 80 °F (25 °F) being acceptable. There is nearly universal recognition that temperatures above 85 °F (29 °C) are hazardous to domestic rabbits.
The recommended temperature range is 10 to 25°C. Outdoor hutches should be covered with a blanket or carpet on cold nights (taking care not to block ventilation). Indoor living areas should be in a cool, non-drafty room out of direct sunlight. Enclosed buildings should have ventilation.
Indoor rabbits will benefit from time outside so they can get some fresh air and enjoy some fresh grass. However, the sudden change in temperature when going from a warm house to a cold garden can come as a big surprise for them.
Expect your rabbit to be lonely.
If you only have one rabbit, you can give it some companionship, but it will still be lonely at night or when you are away at work. Sometimes a female rabbit will be fine on its own.
All domesticated rabbits like blankets and pillows in the home. You'll likely be tempted to place similar items in your pet's hutch for added comfort. Blankets and towels are great additions to a rabbit's home. Just avoid old, threadbare blankets with holes as paws can be trapped.
Rabbits, like humans, are social creatures. They evolved to live in groups. This means that, much like you and I, they can become bored and lonely living alone without the company of fellow rabbits. And this, in turn, can cause not only unhappiness but also a variety of physical and behavioural problems.
To keep your rabbit happy and healthy, let it out of its cage at least once a day, giving it time to roam. Though at least one hour is necessary, aim closer to three or four. As a rule, never keep your rabbit cooped up for 24 hours at a time.
Their eyesight works the best during dim light conditions. They prefer dim lights instead of complete darkness. In dim lights, they can see and feel safe. Hence, bunnies are the most active in dim lights.
Put old blankets or carpets over the hutch and run, but under the tarpaulin for extra insulation. Make sure the rabbits cannot chew on these as this could result in an intestinal blockage. Put windbreaks up around the hutch and run.
But don't rabbits smell bad? No they don't! Rabbits themselves are very clean animals with odourless fur and they fastidiously groom themselves all day. Only their urine smells so as long as you keep their living area clean (spot clean every few days and a full clean-out once a week) you shouldn't have a problem.
Yes, as long as your pet rabbits are healthy and have a hutch that will keep them warm and dry, letting your bunnies stay outdoors for the winter months shouldn't be a problem.
Anything longer than 24 hours is too long – and even that is pushing the solitude limits of rabbits. Rabbits are social creatures and require about as much, if not more, interaction and maintenance as dogs do and more than some cats need. Considering rabbits to be low-maintenance pets does them a grave disservice.
When the temperature drops to 10 degrees or below, they are likely to be feeling the cold. They can cope with temperatures colder than this but it isn't something you would want to risk. Older rabbits will also struggle with cold weather more than the younger ones.
Adult rabbits can certainly withstand some cold, so you do not have to fear that. They can easily tolerate wintry periods with temperatures down to -10°C. However, they must be able to prepare! Make sure your rabbit has already lived outside in the summer and autumn months, so that it can fully develop its winter coat.
Straw bedding
Hay is dried grass and the most vital part of a rabbit's diet. Straw is dried stalks from grain crops and is much more suitable for bedding as it is warmer and less likely to be eaten. It's not a problem if rabbits eat straw but there are few nutrients and they must be given good quality hay to eat.
Your rabbit's resting area should have at least two compartments. A darkened sheltered area for sleeping away from noise and another for eating/relaxing. All areas should be well ventilated, dry and draught free as damp, poorly ventilated, hot or dirty environments can cause illness.
Rabbit spritzer
You can use a plant spray/mist bottle to gently spray water on your rabbit's ears which can help them to cool down.
They should be brought inside overnight. They can only stay outside at night too from mid-May when there is no longer any ground frost. If your rabbits have first been gradually accustomed to being kept outdoors, they can stay outdoors all year round from then. Even the ground frost won't bother them after that.