Keeping a bunny Cool
The high for today is 106 degrees with 11% humidity. Across the country where I used to live, the high is 81 degrees and the humidity is 32%. This has been quite an adjustment - not just for me, but for my bunnies. It may seem like a furnace out here, but we have a couple of things going for us - shade, an insultated garage, and virtually no humidity. It's easier for me to keep my bunnies cool out here- by a longshot. I realize for those of you with inside bunnies, the heat is less of any issue, but for those who keep their bunnies in a garage, a shed, a barn, or even in a four seasons type of room in their house, read on.
Things that I tried that barely worked at all:
* Fill and freeze old water bottles. As they thaw, they cool the air in the cage. Also, some bunnies like to lick the cool bottle or lay stretched out with it. (I took over our refrigerator freezer and filled it with water bottles the minute we finished drinking them. My bunnies avoided these bottles of ice like the plague, except to chew on them for a minute. I ended up with hairy, dripping bottles and hot bunnies)
* You can kick the bottle freezing up a notch and build a water cooler freezer that is powered by a small fan. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HxSLbpAwibg (I actually did this. And yes, it took more frozen water bottles. It did actually produce cold air, but it also produced humidity so the "cooling effect" was short lived and extended about 3 feet)
*Wipe the outside of your bunny's ears with a cool, wet cloth. (This actually helps, because the bunny releases heat through it's ears - but really, bunny's usually hate getting wet and this just made them stressed and hot.
* Fans (This helps, because it pushes some of the heat off your bunny. However, many bunnies do not like the constant wind and some even get stressed out when they can't find a place sheltered from the breeze.)
Things that help a little bit, but not usually enough.
* Put a ceramic tile in their hutch or cage. The tile will stay cooler, assuming it's not in direct sunlight, than cardboard or plastic.
* Add ice cubes to their water bottles to keep the water cool all afternoon.
* Feed greens soaked and dripping with water, or give a treat of frozen blueberry, apple, banana or strawberry. This is a great afternoon energizer.
* Herbs like blackberry leaf and sorrel can help increase circulation, helping your bunny release more body heat in a shorter time.
* For outside time - try early in the morning or a little before sunset. Cover the outside pen with a tarp on the top and one side. Place cardboard boxes in the pen upside down and cut holes so your bunny can hide in them for shade.
What really works.
* Buy and install reflective or tinted window film. This cuts down on intense heat from the sun considerably.
* Buy a really good portable air conditioner. I like the Haier portable air conditioners with 12,000 or more BTU. The one I have has been rock solid and cools down a big garage in less than 10 minutes in 90 degree temperatures or less, and keeps a smaller area cool even in 120 degree heat.
* Dehumidifier. This really helps in a climate where "low humidity" is in the 30s and typical humidity more around 60%. Back in Ohio, I used to run a dehumidifier to get the most benefit from my fans and air conditioner. Here in AZ, that's pointless, since the humidity is often under 10%.
Whatever you choose to do, make sure your bunny stays nice and cool this summer. Remember, hollands have a harder time - with mid-length fur, flopped ears and tiny bodies, there is no where for the heat to go. Try to work preventatively to keep your bunny cool.