One of the main concerns for rabbit owners all over the world is that their pet remains in good health. If you have been stroking your bunny and noticed that his ears feel warmer than usual, you might be concerned that this is a sign of illness. So, should a rabbit’s ears be warm, and is this normal?
Rabbits use their ears as a way to regulate their body temperature and as such, it is normal for them to feel warm to the touch. However, an extreme in either hot or cold could be a sign that the rabbit is sick and needs to be seen by a vet.
But knowing the difference between what is normal and what might be something a little more serious can be tricky.
How Rabbit Ears Work
Rabbit ears carry large blood vessels which aid temperature regulation and help the blood to cool. This makes up for a rabbit’s lack of sufficient sweat glands. With this in mind it makes sense that very hot or cold ears can be a sign that a rabbit isn’t well but since rabbits are very quiet animals that tend to hide sickness, it will be down to you to check your pet for other symptoms.
One of the best ways to determine if your rabbit is not well is to observe his body language. It is recommended to spend at least one hour a day with your bunny and doing this will help you get to know him and be able to read his body language more easily.
The first sign of sickness is normally a loss of appetite. Rabbits love to eat so if they stop taking the food you have offered, this should be a warning sign. You may also notice a change in your pet’s bowel habits.
Rabbits are susceptible to respiratory conditions, particularly snuffles, which we will look at in more detail later, so it is important to keep an eye on your pet’s breathing. If his breathing seems at all labored then it might be time to have him checked by your vet.
You may also notice some slightly odd behaviors including your rabbit pushing his belly across the floor. This might be a sign that the rabbit is trying to move air through his body to find relief. This happens because bunnies end up with excess air in their stomachs as a result of being sick and moving in this way can help to expel it.
Finally, a sick rabbit might walk or hop in an unusual manner. If your rabbit has a naturally quirky gait then this is nothing to be concerned about. However, if you notice a change in how your rabbit is moving around, this could be a sign of illness.
Is It Normal For My Rabbit’s Ears To Be Cold?
As we have discovered, rabbits use their ears to regulate their body temperature. If you find that your rabbit has very cold ears, this might be a signal that her body temperature has dropped, which is a common symptom of illness.
If you notice this, you should look out for other signs including any of those that we have detailed in the section above. You might also notice that your rabbit becomes a little more standoffish than normal and appear much more lethargic.
Can Rabbits Catch Human Colds?
The virus that causes colds in humans cannot be contracted by a rabbit. However, there is another infection that can bring on very similar symptoms. While a cold might be easy to manage in a human, these types of conditions could be life threatening for a bunny if they go ignored.
The most common condition for rabbits that mimics a human cold is known as snuffles. While it might sound cute, it could be devastating for your pet. This respiratory infection will bring on a lot of physical symptoms so it is usually relatively easy to pick up on.
For example, your rabbit may be having difficulty breathing and may be making an audible wheezing sound. Furthermore, the rabbit will likely be coughing and sneezing a lot. Rabbits with snuffles will likely go off their food and be much less active than they normally are.
Furthermore, snuffles will cause a build up of mucus, just like when we have a cold. This can result in the rabbit having a wet nose and runny eyes. You might also notice that your bunny’s paws are wet or soiled as a result of the animal trying to wipe the eyes.
What To Do If Your Rabbit Has A Cold
If you notice any of the symptoms above then it is crucial that you have your rabbit seen by a vet. While some rabbits can recover with excellent care, snuffles may be a cause of death in others so medical advice should always be sought.
However, there are also some things that you can do at home to keep your rabbit comfortable and improve its recovery time. Rabbits who are sick may lose body heat unintentionally and so keeping them warm is a great way to help them. You might be able to put a heat lamp over the enclosure but sometimes providing your rabbit with an extra blanket will be more than sufficient.
In addition to warmth, your rabbit will need to be kept well hydrated. While most savvy bunny owners will always make sure that their pets have a constant supply of fresh water, this is now more important than ever. If your rabbit is spending much of its time sitting or lying in one place, you might try moving the water bottle closer so that it doesn’t have to exert itself to get a drink.
Normally, you should be very precise about your rabbit’s diet and 80% of it should be made up of hay. However, when your pet is sick, it is OK to veer away from the norm slightly and offer any suitable foods that it will eat. Whether this is more pellets than usual or some apple sauce, the most important thing is that your rabbit is getting the right level of nutrition.
Tips For A Healthy Rabbit
Rabbits are very delicate creatures that require specific care. While they were once thought of as an ideal children’s pet, we know now that they need much more intense and detailed care. In order to make sure your rabbit stays healthy, you should consider the following tips.
- Make sure that your bun has plenty of time outside of the cage. Three to four hours of running time should be enough but some owners choose to leave the cage door open all day giving their rabbit as much exercise as they please.
- Book an appointment with your vet every year to have your rabbits health checked. Your vet will be able to pick up on any problems, offer advice and give any necessary vaccines or treatments.
- Rabbits require a balanced diet of vegetables, hay, and rabbit pellets. It is important to make sure that your pet always gets the right nutrition in order to stay as healthy as possible.
