Record hot temperatures have already been seen around the country. Use the 9 tips below to protect your rabbit from the summer heat.

When Is Warm Too Hot for Your Rabbit?

It might be a lot lower than expected. Most rabbits can comfortably handle up to 75 degrees F (24 degrees C). While that is mild for people, it may not be for a rabbit, especially Flemish Giant or Angora rabbits, who are more sensitive to heat.

The Cape Coop website cautions that rabbits begin experiencing heat-related stress at 85 degrees and above. If you live in a humid climate, remember to factor in the heat index even with cooler temperatures.

Angora rabbit with long fur known for being more sensitive to high summer temperatures

Angora Rabbit Sensitive to Heat

Long-haired breeds like Angora and Flemish Giant rabbits are more sensitive to heat than short-haired breeds.

Signs Your Rabbit Is Overheating

  • Red, enlarged veins
  • Ears that are hot to the touch
  • Inflamed foot pads
  • Fast, shallow breathing or gasping
  • Nostrils flaring
  • Partially shut eyes
  • Wetness around or under the nose
  • Listlessness, lethargy, or dormancy

Keep reading to learn the simple tips to protect your rabbit from the heat.

Make a DIY “air conditioner” for your rabbit. All you need is a cheap foam cooler, a small fan, some pipe, and duct tape.

9 Tips to Keep Your Rabbit Cool

  • 1
    Place them inside, with their hutch or cage, in a protected area, preferably on hard surfaces that are easier to clean. Cooler garages and basements are also good.
  • 2
    Run the AC for cooler temperatures. Fans may not always be enough to cool things down in extremely hot weather.
  • 3
    If only a fan is available, make sure it is near the rabbit’s cage but not directly blowing on them all the time, and that it rotates to maximize airflow. Make sure the rabbit has enough space to move away from the breeze if they want.
  • 4
    Fill a spray bottle with cool, not ice cold, water and mist the rabbit all over, particularly their ears. As the mist evaporates, it naturally lowers their temperature. Do not submerge a rabbit in water. According to PetLife, rabbits have been known to die from being submerged, as it shocks their system and worsens overheating.
  • 5
    For an outside rabbit, place a cool, damp towel over the top of their cage or hutch to provide shade and cooling moisture. Do not place a damp towel directly on a rabbit. Instead, gently wipe the backs of their ears with a cool, damp cloth to help them cool down.
  • 6
    Ice can also help a rabbit stay cool when the temperature is soaring. Make sure the rabbit has a water bowl, not a bottle with a sipper, so they can get all the water they need. Drop a handful of ice cubes in the bowl and replenish as needed. Freezing a rabbit’s favorite treats in ice cubes also keeps them cool and occupied.
  • 7
    Frozen ceramic tiles are another effective cooling method. Freeze for just 15 minutes and lay them near the rabbit to use.
  • 8
    Worried about hydration? Wash daily greens and feed them wet.
  • 9
    If necessary, trim away excess fur to help the rabbit stay comfortable.
Rabbit hutch placed in a shaded, protected area away from direct heat

Rabbit Cage Placed in a Cool Area

Moving a rabbit's hutch to a cooler area like a basement or garage reduces heat stress during summer months.

Grooming and Heat Management Go Together

Tip 9 above is worth its own section, because trimming excess fur and regular grooming do more for heat tolerance than most rabbit owners realize. A rabbit carrying a full undercoat in the middle of summer is wearing an extra insulating layer it does not need. Removing that loose, dead coat helps a rabbit regulate body temperature more effectively and reduces the risk of overheating on hot days.

This matters most for the same long-haired breeds flagged earlier as heat-sensitive. Angora and Flemish Giant rabbits in particular carry significantly more coat than short-haired breeds and benefit the most from regular deshedding during summer months.

Rabbit eating fresh greens that have been washed and fed wet for extra hydration

Rabbit Eating Wet Greens for Hydration

Washing and feeding greens wet gives rabbits extra hydration during hot summer days.

The 5″ EasyGroomer works well on rabbits and other small pets, removing loose undercoat without pulling fur or causing the kind of discomfort that makes grooming sessions stressful for a small, easily startled animal. The micro-barbed blade lifts dead hair gently in the direction of coat growth, which is particularly important for rabbits given how sensitive their skin is compared to cats or dogs.

For rabbits that are bathed or need quick drying after misting during hot weather, the WaterWisk removes excess moisture from the coat efficiently, which helps prevent the matting that trapped moisture can cause on a long-haired breed.