For those who live in rural locations especially in countries with distinguishable seasons, wild rabbits will probably be a common sight. During winter months the sight of rabbits often becomes less common which leads some of us to believe that rabbits are in hibernation, but do rabbits actually hibernate in winter? And if so what does this mean for us pet owners?
Neither wild nor domesticated rabbits hibernate in winter. Rabbits are very tolerant of cold temperatures and survive the winter months through a thicker coat of fur and seeking out foods such as bark and twigs when vegetation is scarce.
So that is the short answer and while rabbits are very tolerant of cold weather, this doesn’t mean that there aren’t any precautionary measures to take for pet rabbits during winter to prevent them from suffering from some potentially life-threatening conditions. (More on this later).
Hibernation and Rabbits
Hibernation is the process of an animal’s body temperature, heart rate, breathing, and other bodily functions slowing down significantly in order to conserve energy during seasons when resources are scarce.
It allows animals such as bears, squirrels, chipmunks and many other mammals that have difficulty finding food in the winter to use their stored energy much more slowly
Rabbits are crepuscular which means that they are most active at dawn and dusk. If you’re lucky enough and live somewhere wild rabbits are common then you will probably see them often just after sunrise or just before sunset. These are the times when wild rabbits feel safest.
Although it may seem like there are fewer rabbits around during the winter this is not down to hibernation but moreso the reduced daylight during winter months.
Although rabbits are fairly tolerant of cold temperatures, naturally, during winter they spend a little more time sheltering in their burrows where the body heat of up to 30 individuals keeps them cozy.
There are a few reasons why hibernation does not occur in rabbits. The first reason is their complex digestive system which continuously moves food through the gut. As we have mentioned, hibernation slows down many bodily functions to save energy and in the case of digestion this would put the rabbit at risk of gastrointestinal stasis.
Also, as rabbits are able to withstand temperatures which some other mammals cannot tolerate, they have no real need to hibernate.
These animals have thrived in the harshest environments on earth. They tolerate cold very well (although wet-cold can be a serious problem). By the time winter comes around a rabbits exposed to the elements will have developed a thicker winter coat which protects them during the periods when they are out foraging for food.
Though a wild rabbits diet will mainly consist of dried grasses, shrubs, and weeds, this may be more difficult to find during the winter, especially under thick snow. This is no problem for a rabbit who will adapt their eating habits to include more readily available wood-based food sources such as tree bark and twigs.
How Do Rabbits Stay Warm In Winter?
When faced with the cold, a humans first instinct is to find a source of heat. Luckily we discovered fire and (in time) combined this with engineering and the rest is history.
Through evolution, rabbits have also found ways to keep warm during the winter, these aren’t as technologically advanced as the modern central heating system but they are effective nonetheless and mean that rabbits can stay comfortable in temperatures as low as 0oC (32oF).
Growing thicker fur
The first thing a rabbit does in order to adapt to winter is to develop a thicker layer of fur. Rabbits molt several times throughout the course of a year but as winter approaches fur is retained and extra fur is grown which helps a rabbit survive harsher temperatures.
For this reason, you should never move house rabbit outside during the winter where it has had no previous requirement to grow a winter coat or adapt to the cold. House rabbits can live outside, provided they have been given sufficient time to adapt.
Changing their diet to more readily available food sources
When it comes to diet, domestic rabbits should eat a diet of unlimited grass hay and some veggies (link to ‘what can rabbits eat’) but during winter those that live outdoors should also be given a good quality hay based pellet brand.
Although pellets can be fed all year round we recommend a few extra during the winter as the extra calories will help keep their metabolism burning and help maintain a normal body temperature of between 101oF – 103oF (38.3oC – 39.4o C).
Wild rabbits don’t have a caring owner to provide them with extra pellets, fortunately, they have evolved to survive on alternative food sources during winter. While in summer they will enjoy an abundant supply of fresh grass, plants, and weeds, the scarcity of vegetation during winter forces them to adapt their diet to bark, twigs, and dried leaves.
Burrowing underground
As proficient diggers rabbits spend a lot of time showing off these skills by creating burrows. These underground networks include tunnels and rooms and are the pinnacle of rabbit structural engineering, keep rabbits safe from predators as well as cool in the summer and warm in the winter.
5 Ways To Help a Rabbit During Winter?
Unfortunately for our domesticated pet bunnies, the fact that hutches are above ground means they are nowhere near as good at conserving heat as a wild rabbit burrow.
Hutch rabbits will definitely feel the cold and elderly rabbits especially those suffering from arthritis will find the winter a particularly difficult time as the pain and discomfort of this condition increases during cold weather.
As such rabbit owners should take steps to make sure rabbits living outdoors are warm enough during cold weather.
1. Provide a blanket
Providing a fleece blanket, especially if the rabbit does not have a companion to cozy up against is one way to add a little warmth to a rabbit’s home. These are very cheap, help keep in the rabbit’s body heat, and can be folded up to provide a nice soft spot for a rabbit.
They are particularly good if a rabbit is elderly or suffers from Arthritis (as the soft surface will help support the joints).
Although you can also use towels, personally my rabbits seem to find fleece more comfortable and are less interested in eating it. The short fibers are also less likely to cause a problem if ingested.
2. Provide a dry environment
Keeping a rabbit’s environment dry is very important to its overall welfare. Although rabbits can cope well with temperatures even slightly lower than freezing, a rabbit exposed to damp or wet will struggle to get dry in cold weather wet areas may even freeze leading to frostbite and consequently hypothermia.
Damp also leads to mould which can have a detrimental effect on rabbit health, including breathing.
Check a rabbit’s environment regularly (a couple of times a day), particularly hutches where a rabbit may have limited space to escape damp conditions.
Clean toilet areas daily and ensure spoiled hay is replaced with a fresh dry supply. Hay/grasses should be available at all times. Not only is it vital for a rabbit’s digestive system but it’s also a rabbit’s main source of insulation.
3. Use microwaveable heat pads
Microwaveable heat pads can be a useful accessory for rabbit owners who need to keep their rabbits outside. These side plate-sized pads can be put in a microwave to warm before placing them in a rabbit’s home.
The great thing about heat pads is that they retain heat for several hours so they can be placed underneath blankets or a layer of straw to provide lasting heat overnight.
Another good use for these pads is preventing water from freezing, place one underneath a rabbit water bowl overnight to ensure your rabbit has constant access to its all-important water supply.
4. Use a hutch cover to keep out draught
Hutches can be poorly constructed things that allow a lot of cold in and though rabbits much prefer cold over heat they won’t necessarily enjoy being exposed to freezing winds.
Hutch covers should be used where possible to prevent rabbits being in the path of draughts. If you can’t find a cover that fits your particular hutch a waterproof tarpaulin held down either by bricks or by tucking it under the legs of the hutch (allowing air but not wind to get in) will also do the job.
5. Bring them indoors
If after all these measures you still feel a little worried about your own rabbit being exposed to cold temperatures during the winter, you may decide to bring it inside your home.
Rabbits make entertaining house guests, and although they prefer milder temperatures to extreme heat they will be perfectly happy at the room temperatures that we enjoy. If you do consider this option you should know that rabbits can be a little mischievous and potentially messy if not properly litter trained (link to ‘How to Litter Train a Rabbit’).
As a minimum you’ll need to move any exposed wires (including phone chargers) if you don’t want them snipped in half or worse still, your pet to be electrocuted.
Alternatively, if you can’t have your rabbit inside the house, a shed or garage can be a good compromise between the house and the outdoors and will provide shelter from the elements.
If you’re interested in reading more around keeping a rabbit warm in the winter you can read our post here.
What Do I Do If My Rabbit Appears to Be Hibernating?
Rabbits do not hibernate, so if they have been exposed to the cold for a prolongued period and appear to be lethargic it is may be that they are in the early stages of hypothermia.
Although rabbits tolerate cold very well, exposure to temperatures a few degrees below freezing will be uncomfortable for them. As mentioned although wild rabbits have the warmth and safety of the burrow to escape to if the temperature drops too low domestic rabbits above ground can develop hypothermia if not properly protected.
Hypothermia is a serious condition and if not treated can lead to death within a few hours. Knowing the symptoms will help you react fast in an emergency. We’ve listed these warning signs below.
- Shivering (Although this will stop as the condition progresses and the body temperature gets dangerously low).
- Pale lips and gums (although these can be difficult to see)
- Lethargy or low energy (Rabbits remain active during cold temperatures, provided their body temperature remains between 101oF – 103oF (38.3oC – 39.4o C) so inactivity should be taken very seriously.
- Loss of coordination (rabbits are generally steady on their feet so the loss of coordination including stumbling is a clear indication that something is wrong).
- Cold ears (Ears are a good indication of the rabbit’s body temperature, blood runs to the ears through large blood vessels to cool and as one of the very few places blood is visible and close to the surface of the skin, the inside of the ear is a good place to gauge rabbit temperature without using a thermometer.
- Shallow breathing (although, it can be difficult to see shallow breathing in rabbits
Although hypothermia is a serious condition, if caught early enough, bringing your rabbit inside the house and warming it up mayl be enough to prevent any serious effects.
You can treat the early stages of hypothermia in rabbits Isimply by wrapping it in a blanket or warm towel until it warms up. If you have them available heat pads or hot water bottles can also be placed near the rabbit (though never place directly on to or hold the rabbit against either of these items as they may become too hot or suffer burns).
Never use a hairdryer to directly warm a rabbit up, as again there is a risk of burning the rabbit’s delicate skin.
Though the ears can be a good indication of a rabbit’s temperature, if after a period of warming of around 10 minutes the rabbit remains unresponsive or becomes unconscious keep it warm and take it to a vet immediately.
Exercising Rabbits During Winter
As rabbits remain active and do not hibernate during the cold season, exercise is essential to keep them healthy, and provide enrichment.
While it can be good for pet rabbits to put on a little extra fat during the winter, cutting out their exercise provision (i.e. allowing them zero time outside of the hutch will only have a negative effect on their overall health.
Also, increasing the amount of pellets you provide while limiting exercise will almost certainly lead to weight gain and potential problems.
Keep your rabbit healthy and exercised even during winter by allowing them some short sessions in their run (30 minutes or so at a time, a few times per day) checking on them regularly to ensure they don’t get too cold.
If they do exercise outside during winter always make sure they are completely dried off before putting them back in a hutch for the night to prevent them from developing frostbite or hypothermia.
Alternatively, a good way to exercise a rabbit during winter is to bring them inside the house for a while. As previously mentioned you may need to hide some of your valuables, but this will keep them active while warming them up.
Related Questions
How Do Rabbits Adapt To Winter?
Rabbits grow thicker fur and develop extra fat stores when winter comes. Rabbits find alternative food sources dependant on season and availability. When vegetation is scarce rabbits eat foods such as wood and bark.
Where Do Wild Rabbits Go in the Winter?
Rabbits do not migrate, however, during winter they spend more time looking for food as their regular food source is more difficult to find. Wild rabbits are not seen as much during the winter because of the increased time spent in the warmth of the burrow along with the reduced daylight hours.
How Do Rabbits Find Food in the Winter?
When vegetation and plants are covered by snow in winter, rabbits eat bark and twigs. Rabbits also ingest a special feces made up of food that has passed through an organ called the caecum directly from the anus to ensure they gain the maximum amount of calorific value from food sources before it becomes waste.
Further Reading
What Happens to Rabbits in the Winter? animals.mom.com
Do Rabbits Hibernate In The Winter? charitypaws.com
What Do Rabbits Do in Winter? ipzoo.org
