Housing Rabbits Outdoors in Winter

It's less than ideal to house rabbits outside. However, the image of a rabbit in an outdoor hutch is every bit as pervasive-- and potentially inhumane-- as the popular idea of a goldfish in a bowl. However, if circumstances dictate that you must house your rabbits outside, there are several things that you may need to know about keeping rabbits outdoors during the winter time.

If you've decided to house your rabbits outside during winter, know these important facts.

1. They won't freeze to death-- usually. Most healthy rabbits are hardy and resilient enough to withstand winter's chill. Unless you live in an extremely cold climate, your rabbits are likely to fare better in winter than they would during the summer months-- heat stroke is a far more common problem in rabbits housed outdoors. Note that most domesticated rabbit breeds originate in the cold regions of Europe, where they have withstood exceptionally harsh winters outdoors for centuries.

2. Dehydration is a greater concern. Outdoor rabbits are more likely to die of dehydration than hypothermia. The reason? Water-bottles freeze quickly in the winter. If the water stays frozen solid for an entire day, your rabbits may perish. Prevent this problem by refilling your water bottles every few hours during the winter. Don't worry about middle-of-the-night refills, though. As long as you attend your rabbits' water needs early in the morning, they should be fine for the night.

3. Some rabbits are at a greater risk. If your rabbit is very old, very young or pregnant, she may be at a greater risk of problems from harsh winter temperatures if she is kept outdoors. These sensitive rabbits should not be kept outdoors during the winter unless you live in an area with exceptionally mild climate, such as the subtropical regions of the U.S. Newborn rabbits kits are at the greatest risk for hypothermia because they have no natural fur and very little body-fat.

4. Don't forget cuddles. Perhaps the most significant problem associated with housing rabbits outdoors during the winter is that the animals suffer from some degree of neglect. Rabbits are extremely social animals, and the isolation of an outdoor cage an be painfully confining. If you do house your rabbits outdoors during the winter time, take at least half an hour per day to cuddle, talk to, and play with your pet. A rabbit is much more harmed by emotional neglect than by an overnight chill.

5. Some stay-warm tips. Several items can help you to maintain a reasonably warm temperature in your rabbit's outdoor cage or hutch. Line your rabbit's home with a generous amount of hay and litter; he can burrow into them at night to stay warm. A heat lamp, such as those used in reptile cages, can also be helpful, as can commercial heating pads advertised for human use. If your local forecast warns of a very hard freeze, take your animals indoors if at all possible.