You might have heard that rabbits will immediately go into shock if they touch water, but that's honestly very rare. The more realistic dangers are hypothermia and skin infections, but these can often be prevented if the rabbit is dried quickly and thoroughly.
Bathing them can even be harmful, since they tend to panic in water and may fracture a limb or their spine if they thrash around. Wet rabbits can also catch a chill and suffer from pneumonia, respiratory infections, hypothermia, and other life-threatening conditions.
Being cold and wet can lead to your rabbit becoming ill and could be fatal if action is not taken. Older rabbits can suffer from painful arthritis, so need to be kept warm and dry. Rabbits that are thin, young or do not have a thick winter coat may also need special attention to ensure they keep warm and dry.
Avoid getting your rabbit wet.
Baths are not necessary for rabbits and can potentially lead to shock from the sudden contact with water. In addition, rabbit fur does not dry off quickly, making it more likely they will develop hypothermia and shock when they are wet.
The only water they need is the kind you find inside of their rabbit run. To them, water is scary in large quantities. Their small bodies are overwhelmed by being cold, wet, and vulnerable so they avoid it as much as possible. A pet rabbit belongs in a good rabbit run, not in a tub of water.
You might have heard that rabbits will immediately go into shock if they touch water, but that's honestly very rare. The more realistic dangers are hypothermia and skin infections, but these can often be prevented if the rabbit is dried quickly and thoroughly.
Some rabbits find it completely natural to get their coats wet and they aren't bother by the falling rain… all you need to do is observe their behaviour in order to see if they are feeling any discomfort and if they need you.
What I can tell you is that baby rabbits that have been attacked by a dog often do not survive, even if it appears that they have no obvious injury. There can be internal bleeding or broken bones (i.e., punctured lung) that you wouldn't be able to detect just by looking.
It is clear from these results that teeth problems and digestive upsets are the two major killers of rabbits that die prematurely.
It is possible for a rabbit to die of fright. Loud sounds, such as cats, dogs, loud music, or screaming can lead to a heart attack and put a rabbit into shock, causing sudden death. It can take several days for the rabbit to die this way, and it does not happen often, but it is quite possible.
Bathing is Bad for Rabbits' Fur
Wet rabbit fur also clumps, which means that it can be very difficult to get your rabbit's coat completely dry following a bath. Moisture can also cause rabbit fur to dry into mats.
Runny Stool: When Things Go Wrong
True diarrhea (unformed, watery feces) is relatively rare in adult rabbits. It can be caused by intestinal parasites, such as coccidia (Eimeria spp.), roundworms, tapeworms, or anything that inflames the intestinal lining.
Rabbit urine can be removed from most surfaces using pure white vinegar or a diluted white vinegar solution. Tough or dried stains may need some time to soak, or they will require the use of stronger chemical cleaners.
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.
Swamp rabbits are somewhat larger than cottontails, generally in the three- to six-pound range. As its name implies, it is often found near water; its fur is waterproof so it is well adapted to its soggy surroundings. Unlike most rabbits, swamp rabbits are good swimmers and they often choose to take to the water.
It's not a good idea to let the rabbit's body air dry, since the longer the rabbit is wet, the higher the risk of a problem developing. Use a hair dryer on a warm, low setting (not the cool or hot setting) and make a few passes over the wet part of the rabbit's behind. Continue until the fur there is completely dry.
Let Him Say Goodbye
Allow your rabbit the opportunity, if possible, to say goodbye to his mate by giving him time alone with the deceased rabbit's body. Many times the surviving rabbit will sniff, nudge, groom, and even hop on their mate.
The domestic rabbit, also known as the European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus), are prone to a multitude of infections that may cause them to die suddenly. Pathogens that may cause mortality in rabbits include those which are bacterial, viral, and protozoan.
Giving the survivor time with the body does not add to the risk. Typically a rabbit will grieve for the loss of a partner for several weeks. They will be quieter than usual and may seem moderately depressed.
If your dog ate a rabbit and isn't showing any signs of illness, chances are they'll be just fine. But if you're concerned, contact your dog's vet to ask their opinion. Any signs of gastrointestinal problems like vomiting, diarrhea, or weakness will warrant a trip to the vet.
If your pet bites you, first, wash the wound. If the rabbit's teeth break the skin, treat the wound with an antiseptic cream and a bandage. Seek medical attention if: Symptoms of infection develop, such as redness, swelling, oozing, or burning.
First and foremost, don't disturb the bunny nest. If it was disturbed through your activities or by your dog, then repair the nest as well as you can. Any injured bunnies should be removed from the nest, but the uninjured bunnies should be left in the nest.
Spritz water
Rabbits lose heat through their ears, so misting them might help to keep your bunnies cooler. Fill up a spray bottle with cool (not icy) water, and then gently spritz the fleshy parts of your rabbits' ears – making sure not to get water into the ear canal itself.
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.
Rabbits will generally prefer water when it is at room temperature. Water that is too warm will seem untrustworthy and most rabbits will avoid it. Cold water can also be a barrier to some rabbits for drinking, but it's usually not as much of a problem as water that has been heated.