Very young or old rabbits, or those with medical conditions, should be kept indoors because they may not be able to tolerate cold temperatures even with modifications to their hutches and diets. Temperatures below 20 degrees Fahrenheit may be too cold even for healthy adult 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.
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.
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. Thanks to this extra coat they are protected against the cold temperatures.
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 can live both indoors and outdoors, but they will need some protection and extra bedding to keep them warm during the colder weather. That way, you'll help keep your rabbits warm, happy and safe from danger during the cold spells.
While rabbits can naturally handle cold temperatures well, if they are kept in the wrong conditions they may suffer from hypothermia and frostbite. Smaller rabbit breeds are more at risk than larger ones because they cannot conserve heat so well.
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.
Placing a cardboard box filled with straw in the hutch makes a super-warm and insulated sleeping area and is easy to replace. You can also put a couple of these in the run. The hutch needs to be cleaned out scrupulously and regularly, so your rabbits are never sitting on a damp or soggy surface.
Rabbits can be kept outdoors all year round but ideally their resting area should be brought into a shed or unused garage with natural light and ventilation for the winter months or else protected with tarpaulin from bad weather. Also, an exercise run should always be available.
A rabbit's normal temperature ranges from 101.3-104F (38.3-39.4C). A temperature much below or above that means your rabbit is in danger.
Ideas on Preparing the Outside of Hutch
Line your shed to create a double wall and an extra layer of insulation. Add clear sheeting; plastic, plexiglass, or perspex sheets to the front of hutches and runs to keep them weather proof. Keeping the sheeting clear helps the rabbits to see out.
Heat lamp/self-heating pad
Depending on the outside temperature, rabbits may need a heat lamp. It must however be properly installed and used. Self-heating pads can also provide a good heat source but be aware they must be continually reheated.
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.
Figuring Out the General Age of a Rabbit
A young rabbit is up to 9 months of age. An adult rabbit is approximately 9 months to 4 - 5 years of age. An elderly rabbit is 4 - 5 years upwards. Some rabbits live to be 10 - 12 years of age.
The bunny basics
For example, a rabbit's ideal outdoor temperature is between 12° to 21°C (55° to 70°F) and, while your bunnies can tolerate temperatures as high as 30°C (85°F), anything above that can increase their risk of heatstroke.
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.
We recommend a good quality soft straw as the ideal bedding for warmth and comfort, particularly for outdoor rabbits. It's warm because the hollow strands trap warm air and it's also absorbent. It's important to understand the difference between hay and straw.
Help your rabbit feel safe
Sometimes putting a blanket over a portion of the enclosure can also do the job. You can also help your rabbit feel safe in your room by avoiding any loud sounds or loud music. Keeping any other pets, such as household cats and dogs, out of the rabbit's room is also best, especially at night.
If the hutch is inside the enclosure the rabbits should never be shut inside it, they should be able to move between their sleeping quarters and exercise area whenever they choose. But you don't have to go for a hutch and run, there are other options available.
Most rabbits housed outdoors will not need a heated environment to make it through the winter, but it is important to position the rabbit hutch to avoid wind, snow, and water blowing into the cage from the sides and bottom. Rabbits should be able to get away from the cold and wind.
Bunnies have a “freeze” instinct. When danger approaches, the bunny freezes in place to keep from being detected. A rabbit that freezes like this is extremely frightened.
Insulate the hutch.
You want to insulate your rabbit's hutch during winter. To do this, place sheets of newspaper and a warm blanket on the roof. Then, cover in an outdoor tarp. Not only will this trap heat and keep the hutch adequately warm, it will prevent snow or rain from falling on your rabbits.