Petco Text Logo
Petco Pet Logo

  • Two Easy Ways to Start Earning Rewards!

What temperature is too warm for my rabbit's health and safety?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Small Animal | Rabbit | Female | spayed | 1.5 lbs

when is it too hot for the rabbits

1 Answer

Most Helpful Answer

Image profile

Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

Veterinarian

Published on January 7th, 2018

Great question! Generally over 26C is too hot for rabbits, but I know Australia gets very hot in the summer time! Much hotter than that. It would be best to keep Fluffy indoors where it is cooler for her. If you cannot do that, make sure her outdoor hutch provides plenty of shade for her, and continually give her fresh cool water. Watch for signs of overheating which include fast and shallow breathing, hot ears, and listlessness. If you see any of those signs, rush her into a vet immediately. Good luck, I hope this helps!

Vote icon

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Questions

Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
right now its really hot in my country 40 degrees celseses, my rabbits are really hot. How do i cool them down? (and my parents dont let them in the house)
You must make sure they have a good shed to be in with enough shade and cover. make sure they have fresh cool water at all time. you can place blocks of ice warped in blankets in several corners of the run, they can go near them if they feel too hot.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
Hi I’ve just come home from work my rabbit had been in the rabbit cage in the garden I’ve checked on his and his nose is all vet and he’s shaking I googled it and he’s overheated I’ve braught him inside to a cool place I’ve wiped his nose mouth and e
Keeping Thumpa out of the heat and immediately cooling him as you have is a good idea. I would keep him in shade with plenty of access to water, and if he doesn't start to recover, seek veterinary care ASAP once you can get ahold of your vet. Making sure Thumpa always has water and shade access, even when outside, can help prevent further heat-related issues.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My rabbit is terrified of the inside of my house, but we want her to be an inside bunny. How will I transition her inside from the outside?
I recommend introducing Fluffy in a large clean cage with plenty of room for her to move around and clean soft bedding such as Care Fresh or soft wood shavings with plenty of food, toys and ideally a sheltered portion of the cage where she can hide/not be visible. Rabbits are prone to overheating and should be maintained at a temperature of about 15-21 C (60-70 F). If moving her in the winter, be sure to put her cage far from heater, if moving her in the summer (now I assume it is summer in Australia), just make sure that her room is air conditioned /does not get too hot. Offering fresh veggies and treats daily will likely minimize the stress of the move. In addition, try to keep Human/pet traffic/noise in her room at a minimum. Good luck!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
Why should rabbits be kept inside? I have to convince my mom to let me keep them inside (the only reason they are I side right now, is because there is a fire, and i don't want them breathing in smoke) they used to live outside, without any fencing a
Hi, it is best to keep rabbits inside at night in very hot or very cold weather. They can go outside in nice weather and back inside at night. Predators love rabbits, since they have no way to fight back if another animal wants to eat them. Also, outside they are prone to get fleas, ticks, and other external parasites on their bodies. They can also get internal parasites from eating brush and dirt. If you live where dogs and cats go, I would only allow your rabbit outside in a very secure cage. Make sure it is large enough for the rabbit to get exercise, has shelter, and food and water available. It also should go underground a half a foot so predators cannot dig under the fencing. So in light of the set up it takes to safely keep a rabbit outside, it is better to keep them indoor where they are safe. Rabbits can be leash walked with a small harness for outdoor activity. Good luck, I hope this helps!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My parents won't let me keep my rabbits indoors. I live in FLORIDA and it can get really hot. Indoors is way safer, please help me convince them!!!
Here is a link to an article on the house rabbit society web page that discusses warm weather concerns for bunnies. http://rabbit.org/faq-warm-weather-concerns/ Hopefully some of this information will help you convince your parents to bring your bunnies inside.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
I read that rubbing a wet napkin on a rabbit's ears will help it with heat, I started doing It (since I live in a city where heat reaches 53°C). Is that ok or should I stop immediately?
Rabbits are unable to sweat the way humans do. They use their ears in temperature regulation. When the rabbit is warm, large blood vessels in the ears dilate. As air moves across the ear, it cools the blood. This cooler blood is then transported to the body. So misting or wiping a damp cloth over the ears will help cool Hestia down. You can also provide ice cubes in her water. I hope this helps!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
How do I know my rabbit is sick because his ears are hot and his eyes look watery
Thanks for reaching out about Flash. Warm ears are not necessarily a fever. Watery eyes could be lacrimal duct obstructions or infections. If still concerned about Flash being ill, a veterinary visit is recommended. Is he still eating? Try wiping the eyes with a warm washcloth. Good luck.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
How can I keep Patch and Buddy cool in this hot weather?? Lately it’s been up to 30 degrees
You can get a fan and direct it towards them. You can get a large sponge, wet it and direct the fan at the sponge. As the fan dries the sponge it emits cool air as the moisture evaporates. Keep your bunnies out of the sun.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
Fluffy recently started to sleep in hay again, but when she sleeps she sheds so much fur like too much
A change in weather can cause increased shedding. Other causes include parasites, infection or stress. If the shedding persists and results in bald patches, have Fluffy examined by your veterinarian or a vet experienced in treating rabbits. Any treatment will depend on the diagnosis. In the meantime, clean the cage and provide fresh bedding. Make sure she isn't too hot or too cold. Look her over for redness, sores or dry skin.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My bunny is just laying in the corner and her ears are cold.
Thanks for reaching out about Misty. No much to recommended except an emergency examination now, ASAP. With lethargy and cold ears, she is potentially shocky and in need of medical attention, regardless of the cause. Try to provide some gentle warming but see a vet. Good luck.
Updated on September 24th, 2025

Related Searches

Rabbit Shop Rabbit Hutches Rabbit Toys Rabbit Cages & Habitats Rabbit Food & Hay Rabbit Bedding & Litter Small Animal Supplies Small Animal Cages, Habitats, & Hutches Bird Supplies Dog Health & Wellness Bunny Nature Clean & Cozy Rabbit Shop Healthy Select Rabbit Shop Living World Rabbit Shop Essentials Rabbit Shop Oxbow Rabbit Shop Sunburst Rabbit Shop Living World Rabbit Cages & Habitats Field+Forest Rabbit Shop WARE Rabbit Hutches
image
Have A Vet Question?

Book an appointment with the pros – our expert vets are here to help.

Book Now

Sponsored