In short, water is vital. Rabbits must have access to plenty of fresh water at all times. Rabbits eating lots of fresh grass and greens will drink less, whilst those eating mostly hay will drink more. Bowls are better than bottles as lapping from a bowl is more natural to rabbits.
On a warm day, when the temperature is above 75 °F, rabbits prefer cold water. They like tepid or warm (not hot) water when the weath- er is cold. If you don't water your rabbits often enough on cold days, they may wind up drinking too much very cold water at one time.
The rule of thumb is to give your rabbits water that you drink. If you wouldn't drink it, then don't offer it to your rabbit. If your rabbit has any medical conditions, consult your veterinarian first before offering any of the less common forms of water like alkaline.
– Consider filtered water, boiled water or distilled water for your bunnies. This reduce minerals in their urinary tract and prevent sluggish buildup.
Rabbit's may refuse to drink because they are too stressed, or because the water just doesn't taste good. It's not common for rabbits to become severely dehydrated if they have water available, but it is a possibility.
Fresh, clean drinking water and good quality hay and grass should make up the majority of your rabbits' diet. A rabbit's digestive system needs hay or grass to function properly so a healthy supply is extremely important. You can supplement with leafy greens and a small amount of pellets.
Their fur usually protects them very well, but they lose that shield when they are wet. For this reason, rabbits will often have severe skin irritation that could even lead to an infection. Rabbit skin is also delicate enough when wet that it can tear more easily. A small cut can turn into a large wound very quickly.
In short, water is vital. Rabbits must have access to plenty of fresh water at all times. Rabbits eating lots of fresh grass and greens will drink less, whilst those eating mostly hay will drink more. Bowls are better than bottles as lapping from a bowl is more natural to rabbits.
The most common form of water provision for bunnies is the water bottle. This is a plastic bottle with a water spout that hangs upside down the side of the cage or hutch. When your bunny wants a drink, they lick at the end of the spout and water is dispensed by movement of a small ball.
An ill rabbit may not drink enough water on its own to do well. Your rabbit may be dehydrated if you see any of these problems: thick sticky saliva, crusty eyes, poor appetite, small amounts of dark colored urine, or hard dry fecal pellets.
Nope! Another question that people often ask is whether rabbits sleep mostly during the day or at night. And the answer is neither. They are crepuscular, meaning that they are most active at dusk and dawn.
All animals require water for life, but rabbits require more water than comparable species. For example, in one day a 5-pound rabbit drinks as much water as a 24-pound dog. In fact, the average rabbit consumes between 50 and 150 milliliters of water per kilogram (2.2 pounds) of body weight per day.
Rabbits do not require routine bathing and in fact frequent washing, either with or without shampoo, strips the rabbit's fur of its natural oils, which helps to keep the rabbit's coat in good condition. Bathing is also extremely stressful for rabbits and has many potential and serious dangers.
Symptoms of Excess Thirst in Rabbits
You will notice that your rabbit is drinking more water than usual; a situation like this should always be evaluated by a veterinary professional. Typical water intake is 50-150 ml/kg/day; should your rabbit be drinking more than that it may be a sign of a problem.
Water Bowl
Bowls work best if your rabbit is indoors or you have room to place a bowl away from lose bedding/food or you are available to change the water regularly during the day. You can also provide both a bottle and a bowl so your rabbit has the option and a back up if they knock over their bowl.
When putting your rabbit's food and water bowls in the enclosure, it's best to place them away from the litter box area. This will prevent any poop or urine from spraying out into their food and water, keeping you from having to clean out their bowls too frequently.
The rabbit should learn to drink from the drinking bottle instinctively. If this is not the case, you can help by placing the rabbit next to the drinking bottle and allowing a few drops of water to fall from it. This will help the rabbit to understand that this is where it should drink from.
Rabbits do struggle to stay cool during summer's hot humid weather. A strong need and a great joy for them is a cool drink. They will drink far more in summer than winter, so be sure to keep containers filled.
Rabbits can eat lettuce. However, a rabbit's diet should never be primarily based around lettuce. Any lettuce given to your rabbit should be given in moderation as part of their vegetable intake. Large amounts of lettuce can cause digestive problems and overall health issues for your rabbit.
If your rabbit is healthy without any health conditions, it will be fine to go out in the rain for short periods. Rabbits are wild animals themselves so are well-equipped to deal with the elements. Extra care and consideration should be given to rabbits that are old, unwell or young.
You can use a plant spray/mist bottle to gently spray water on your rabbit's ears which can help them to cool down. You can use a large 2 litre pop bottle filled with water and frozen (leave room at the top for the ice to expand). Give the frozen bottles to your rabbits so they can lean against them and keep cool.
If your rabbits get wet from being outside in the rain or snow, rub them dry with a towel and ensure they have plenty of warm bedding to rest in when returned to their home. If the grass is very wet, consider moving your rabbits' exercise area onto a paved area or into an outhouse or unused garage.