Rabbits
Keeping Outdoor Rabbits Safe and Warm in Winter
Rabbits tolerate cold better than heat — but only with dry, draught-proof housing, deep bedding and unfrozen water. A practical winter checklist.
Cold is manageable; damp is not
Healthy adult rabbits cope with cold remarkably well thanks to their dense coats — what they cannot cope with is damp, draughts and sudden temperature swings. Guinea pigs are more fragile and should move indoors or into a frost-free shed in cold snaps.
The housing checklist
Work through this before the first frost.
- Raise the hutch off the ground and position it away from prevailing wind and driving rain
- Add a weatherproof cover or tarpaulin over the front at night, leaving ventilation gaps — never seal the hutch airtight
- Provide a deep bed of dust-extracted straw in the sleeping compartment, changed whenever damp
- Insulate with blankets or hutch huggers under the waterproof layer
- Check water bottles twice daily — the spout freezes first; bottle covers help
Food and water in cold weather
Outdoor rabbits burn more calories keeping warm, so expect appetites to rise. Hay is both food and bedding — keep it abundant and dry. Check water at morning and evening; a rabbit without water stops eating, and a rabbit that stops eating is an emergency.
Exercise and company
Rabbits still need daily exercise in winter. A sheltered run with a dry, draught-free corner lets them choose. A bonded companion is the best insulation of all — rabbits huddle for warmth, which is one more reason never to keep one alone.
Guinea pigs are different. They originate from a mild climate and tolerate cold poorly. Below about 15°C they need to come indoors or into a heated, frost-free space.
Frequently asked questions
- Can rabbits stay outside all winter?
- Healthy adult rabbits with dry, draught-proof, well-bedded housing usually can. Very young, old, thin or unwell rabbits should come indoors.
- Should I bring my rabbit inside on the coldest nights?
- Only if you can keep it inside until spring. Repeated moves between warm rooms and freezing hutches are more dangerous than consistent cold.
References
- RSPCA — rabbit housing advice — https://www.rspca.org.uk/adviceandwelfare/pets/rabbits