Rabbits wear a built-in fur coat, so they actually cope with cold weather better than hot weather. But drafts, damp bedding, and sudden temperature drops can still make them uncomfortable or sick. Here is how to keep your rabbit warm, cozy, and healthy all winter.
What Temperature Is Too Cold for a Rabbit?
Most rabbits are comfortable between about 55°F and 70°F. Healthy adult rabbits with a thick coat can tolerate cooler temperatures if they are dry and sheltered from wind, but some rabbits need more help:
- Young kits and senior rabbits
- Rabbits who are ill, underweight, or recovering from surgery
- Small breeds and rabbits with thin coats, such as Rex rabbits
- Indoor rabbits who are suddenly moved outdoors
Rabbits also struggle with big temperature swings. Gradual changes are always easier on them than going from a warm house to a cold patio.
Signs Your Rabbit Is Too Cold
- Shivering
- Ears that feel cold to the touch
- Huddling in a tight ball and not moving around
- Lethargy or less interest in food
If your rabbit is very cold, limp, or not eating, move them somewhere warm and call a rabbit-savvy vet right away. A drop in body temperature can slow digestion and lead to GI stasis.
How to Keep an Indoor Rabbit Warm
1. Block Drafts
Move your rabbit's pen away from exterior doors, drafty windows, and floor vents that blow cold air. Rabbits live close to the floor, where cold air settles.
2. Give Them a Cozy Bed
A soft, nest-style bed lets your rabbit curl up and hold in body heat, and it lifts them off cold tile or hardwood. Our organic cotton Bunny Dream Bed has raised sides that make it a favorite winter snuggle spot. For rabbits who like to stretch out, add a Bunny Bed Pad as a warm layer between them and the floor.
3. Add a Covered Hideout
A cardboard box or wooden hide with a blanket over the top traps warmth and gives your rabbit a sheltered den.
4. Offer Extra Hay
Digesting fiber produces body heat. Keep unlimited fresh hay available all winter, and stuff some in their hideout for a warm, edible nest. See our hay guide for the best types.
5. Be Careful With Heaters
Space heaters, heating pads, and electric blankets are risky around rabbits. Cords get chewed, and rabbits cannot always move away from heat that is too strong. If you use a heat source, choose a chew-proof, pet-safe option, place it outside the pen, and always leave your rabbit room to move somewhere cooler.
How to Keep an Outdoor Rabbit Warm
If your rabbit lives outside, winter needs more planning. Many owners bring rabbits into a garage, shed, or the house for the coldest months. If they stay outdoors:
- Raise the hutch off the ground and turn it away from prevailing wind.
- Insulate it with a hutch cover or blankets over the sides, leaving ventilation so moisture does not build up.
- Use deep, dry bedding such as straw or hay in the sleeping area, and replace it whenever it gets damp.
- Check water twice a day. Bottles and bowls freeze. Keep a spare and swap them out, or use an insulated bottle cover.
- Keep them in pairs. Bonded rabbits share body heat and comfort.
Thinking about bringing your rabbit inside for good? Read indoor vs outdoor rabbits first.
Winter Mistakes to Avoid
- Bathing your rabbit: Wet fur loses its insulation and dries slowly. Spot clean only.
- Clothing or sweaters: Rabbits do not need them, and they can cause overheating or tangles.
- Letting bedding stay damp: Wet bedding pulls heat away from the body faster than cold air does.
- Skipping exercise: Rabbits still need daily playtime. Movement keeps their gut and circulation working.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do rabbits get cold at night?
Temperatures drop overnight, so indoor rabbits near windows or on cold floors can feel it. A warm bed and a covered hide are usually all they need.
Can rabbits sleep in a cold room?
A cool room is fine for a healthy adult rabbit, as long as there are no drafts and they have a cozy bed and plenty of hay.
Do rabbits like blankets?
Many rabbits love snuggling into blankets and soft beds. Choose cotton over loose-knit fabrics their nails can catch in, and watch that they are lying on it, not eating it.
The Bottom Line
Keeping a rabbit warm in winter comes down to the basics: no drafts, dry bedding, plenty of hay, and a cozy place to curl up. With a soft bed and a sheltered hideout, your bunny will be comfortable until spring.