Rabbits tolerate hot summer weather much worse than the winter cold, because in the cold they are warmed by thick fur. In the summer, being in natural conditions, they spend a lot of time in holes, where it is never hot. In addition, there are no sweat glands on the body of the rabbits, and their heat exchange goes through long ears — however, the rabbit ears are not large enough to cope well with overheating. Therefore, in the heat of domesticated animals need human help.
Optimal temperature
The best temperature of the room where the rabbits are kept is in the range from 16 ° C to 22 ° C, while feeding - 14-20 ° C. They can tolerate a temperature range of 5-28 ° C without damage to their health, although a temperature rise above 25 ° C already causes them discomfort.
Animals begin to look for shade, cling to cooler walls and the floor, they drink a lot. The critical temperature for them is 30 ° C - with it a heat stroke becomes possible, and at 35 ° C such overheating of the body becomes inevitable. 
If the humidity is elevated, or the animals are kept in cramped close cages, the maximum permissible high temperature decreases by several degrees, as in such conditions they suffer the heat even worse.
Danger of overheating:
- There is a tendency to infectious diseases and digestive disorders, which are also fraught with negative consequences.
- Reproductive abilities deteriorate.
- Weight gain is slowing down and young animals are growing.
- Possible death of the animal.
Important! Worst of all the heat affects pregnant and lactating females, as well as baby rabbits, so around the hot summer is not worth planning.
How to help the rabbits in the heat
When raising the thermometer to 30 ° C, measures should be taken to save the rabbits from the heat. It should be borne in mind that in the cells where they are contained, the temperature may be even higher. The heating of their residence during the summer period should be carefully monitored. 
At this time, the immunity of animals due to overheating falls dramatically, so it should be strengthened with drugs such as Katozal, Gamavit and others. But the main thing - to reduce the temperature to an acceptable level.
Familiarize yourself with rabbit meat, ornamental and downy breeds.
Plastic ice bottles
One of the easiest and most affordable ways to reduce the ambient temperature and overcome the summer heat is the use of plastic bottles with frozen water.
The water bottle is cooled in the freezer and then placed in a cage. After the ice has melted, you should replace the bottle with a new one.
You should not worry that animals will catch cold. They will be delighted with such a cold object and will cling to it. Bottles with ice should be put in a cage and nursing rabbit, but somewhat away from the rabbit-kids.
This method is not suitable if you have a lot of heads, as there may not be enough space in the freezer for all bottles. 
Cold accumulators
Instead of water bottles, you can use cold batteries. They heat up more slowly due to the presence of thermo-intensive liquid in them and they need to be changed less often. For use well fit products weighing 200-400 grams.
Rabbits suffering from hot weather literally fall on their batteries and lick them. But, again, with a large number of rabbits, the costs will be too high. In addition, there may not be enough space in the freezer.
Learn how to maintain, what to feed, what toys to choose, what are ill, whether it is possible to wash, how to care for decorative rabbits in an apartment.
Water treatment
Water, when evaporates from the surface of the body, cools it. Therefore, in a hot time in an open-air cage or in cages where rabbits are located, mini-pools should be arranged in which they can cool off. It is necessary to monitor the purity of the water in these trays and periodically change them. But animals often turn over water containers, or start drinking from them.
Bathing rabbits
If you do not want to mess around with the trays, you can just periodically dip the rabbits in a container with water. It should also moisten their ears, because the heat transfer is mainly through them, but water should not fall into the inner part of the ear. Bathing water should be cool, but not cold. For such a water treatment, 2-3 minutes is enough for each individual.
Sprinkling rabbits
To cool the body temperature, these animals can simply be sprayed with water. With this procedure, it is important not to miss the ears; you can even spray them only. Spraying should be done 2-3 times a day.
Important! In hot weather, cages and rooms with rabbits should have a good shadow. Even a small amount of direct sunlight increases the temperature inside the premises.
Hose spraying
In hot weather, some breeders water the cages directly from the hose. However, it is better to install a watering system with a fine spray - such a system will work more efficiently and economically. This method is especially relevant in hot and dry weather.
In conditions of high humidity, it is better to use a different method, since too much humidity and evaporation may not particularly improve the situation.
Rabbit Fans
In the room where the rabbits are kept, you can arrange the fans. It should be noted that the rabbits themselves should not be in a draft - this can lead to colds. It is especially important to monitor the air flow if the air conditioner is working in the room.
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Give more water
In the hot season it is important to ensure that rabbits always have access to water, and they can drink plenty. It is advisable to pour the water cool. It is necessary to monitor the purity of drinking water, as dirty water is a source of intestinal disorders.
In addition, the water heats up quickly, so it is best to change it 2-3 times a day. One adult is enough 1-1,5 liters of drinking water.
It is recommended to add to the feed more juicy vegetables and herbs (cabbage, carrots, etc.). 
Mow rabbits
Breeds with long hair are recommended to cut, then the heat will be transferred a little easier. You can start trimming these fluffies from the age of 4 months.
Before grooming, comb the animal's hair. Shoot her start from the back. Then they trim the fur on the sides and abdomen, and only the rabbits do the haircut on the abdomen, since the rabbits are likely to damage their nipples.
Did you know? A healthy rabbit has a body temperature of 38.3-39.5 ° C. To measure it, a thermometer (preferably an electronic one) is inserted into the anus of an animal by 1 cm. At the same time, the patient should be taken on his knees and well fixed.For this procedure, use scissors with rounded ends, so as not to damage the animal if it moves. During the haircut, you should also use a comb to lift their fur and cut off the top.
If the pet is not afraid of the clippers, you can use it - it will be faster. 
Signs of heat and sunstroke
The animal receives a heat stroke when the body overheats due to the high temperature of the environment. This situation often happens with close cellular content, transportation, in poorly ventilated places. Sunstroke rabbit gets a long exposure to direct sunlight on the head. This leads to overheating of the brain and its subsequent paralysis.
Learn how to feed rabbits, how to feed them for quick weight gain, whether to feed rabbits with feed, why rabbits grow poorly and do not gain weight.The fact that the rabbit overheated and received heat or sunstroke can be seen from the following features:
- At the very beginning the animal behaves excitedly. He may have a shiver and will attempt to find a shade and a cool place. Although usually in the heat of the rabbits move a little and constantly drink water.
- Redness of mucous membranes (eyes, nose, mouth).
- Refusal to eat.
- Impaired breathing At the very beginning, the animal breathes rapidly and abruptly, and after that, if assistance is not provided, breathing becomes deep. Dyspnea appears.
- Temperature rise. It rises above 40 ° C.
How to save a rabbit when overheated
If it is noticed that the rabbit has become ill from the heat, it is necessary to act immediately:
- It is necessary to immediately wipe his ears with a damp cloth, and do this procedure for a few minutes.
- Ears can also be sprayed with a spray bottle. At this procedure it is necessary to show care - water should not get into the ears. You can just blot his head and feet with a cool, wet towel or napkin. Care must be taken that cooling takes place gradually.
- Rabbit need to drink water. If he is unable to drink by himself, water must be dripped into his mouth from a pipette or syringe without a needle.
- The affected animal should be immediately moved to a cool place.
Learn how to prevent rabbit disease.
If the rabbit is very bad from overheating, after first aid it must be taken to a veterinarian. At the same time, care should be taken that during transportation by car in the cabin there is a temperature within 20-22 ° C and there is no air conditioning on it. The veterinarian should examine the animal and listen to it. 
In this case, prescribe and immediately put saline to normalize blood circulation. In some cases, broad-spectrum antibiotics are used. Also constantly monitor body temperature.
Important! If overheated, it is forbidden to swim the rabbit in cool water. Such a temperature difference will be too much stress for the body.
Heat and rabbits: advice from the vet
In the summer heat rabbits often runny nose. This is noticeable by the way they rub their forepaws on their noses, sneeze, and discharge from the nose also begins. Experienced veterinarians in this case are advised to mix 10 drops of iodine with glycerin and gently lubricate the nozzles with a piece of cotton. In animals, the condition improves immediately.
When the thermometer is just beginning to reach 30 ° C, you should check the temperature of the pets' housing, their state of health, appetite, drinking, shade, and ventilation. Particular attention should be paid to pregnant and lactating rabbits, young and obese individuals. 
The earth around the cells can be regularly watered to keep it moist all the time.
Did you know? In natural habitat, rabbits live on average about a year. But at home with proper care, this eared pet can live 8-12 years.
So, thermal and sunstrokes pose a significant threat to the health of rabbits. You should not wait for the appearance of their symptoms - at critical temperatures it is necessary to take measures to protect pets from overheating in advance. And when detecting warning signs, the injured animal should immediately be given first aid.
How to save rabbits from the heat: video
Reviews
We suckled females constantly water, change more often. it happens 3-4 times a day. (so that it is more cool, it heats up quickly in such a heat). In the morning we try to give fresh, juicy grass.
In general, it is strange, in the morning the rabbit is normal, and in the evening she died. Usually, pregnant rabbits with strong heat and a small amount of water may have miscarriages, fetal embryos may dissolve (the initial stage of pregnancy). With strong heat, the rabbit first falls into a stupor (severely and often breathes, rapid heartbeat, the animal is still, reacts weakly to stimuli, does not touch the stern, etc.), and then dies from respiratory arrest and heartbeat. Good luck and save your rabbits.
as an option - on top of the cage on a towel you can put a couple of bottles with ice. cold air will go down and cool the crawl. Krol himself will feel. You can also overlap on the perimeter of the pallet, too, with ice.
