Outdoor rabbits in winter

Should you keep your rabbits inside or outside in winter? This is something you need to think about if you are considering getting a rabbit or are a new rabbit owner. Some choose to alternate between having their rabbit outside in the summer and inside in the winter, while others have them outdoors or indoors all year round.

Should you bring your rabbit inside during winter?

Rabbits feel best when the temperature is around 13 to 20 degrees. If you keep your rabbit indoors, you should keep it in the coolest room and let them go outside as much as possible in the summer.

Many rabbit owners move their rabbit outside during the summer months, which goes well, but regardless of the season, the rabbit needs time to acclimatise. As a rule, don't take your rabbit in or out if there is a difference of more than 10 degrees between indoors and outdoors. If your rabbit is outside for too long, it will have time to shed winter fur, making it too hot indoors.

Keeping your rabbit outdoors year-round

There are many benefits to having rabbits outside because they get fresh air, sunlight and the opportunity to graze on grass. In addition, it is easier to give your rabbits more space. If your rabbits are outdoors during the winter, the rabbit's cage must be raised from the ground so that cold doesn't penetrate from below.

Rabbits in freezing temperatures

A rabbit that lives outdoors year-round has time to grow a winter coat and can withstand quite severe cold. Having your rabbit outside in freezing temperatures is no danger as long as you make sure there is food and water that doesn't freeze. Their cage should be raised off the ground, and be a draft-free and dry environment.

5 tips for rabbit owners

Give your rabbit time to get used to new temperatures, regardless of whether you move the rabbit indoors or outdoors.
A rabbit can generally cope with cold better than heat, but an indoor rabbit has no winter fur and can therefore freeze when suddenly outside. If it's more than -7 degrees, an indoor can't keep themselves warm. An outdoor rabbit can handle close to -30 degrees.
If your rabbit is outside, it needs access to water at least twice a day. If it's so cold outside that the water freezes, you can use some kind of heating device
An outdoor rabbit needs a draft-free house or area where it can build a nest with hay and straw.
Many outdoor rabbits like snow! Let your rabbit play in snowdrifts or dig around.