Housing
Rabbits need a cool, shady place to live in hot weather. The ideal temperature for rabbits is between 15 and 25 degrees Celsius. If the temperature outside is too hot, rabbits can be moved to a cooler location, such as a basement, laundry, or garage. You can also make your rabbit's hutch cooler by placing it in a shady spot and covering the roof with a damp towel.
Diet
In hot weather, it is important to feed your rabbit a diet that is high in fiber and low in sugar. Avoid feeding sugary fruits and vegetables, such as watermelon and carrots. Good foods to feed your rabbit in hot weather include leafy greens, broccoli, celery, and cauliflower.
Water
Rabbits need access to fresh water at all times, but it is especially important to make sure they have plenty of water to drink in hot weather. Place multiple water bowls around your rabbit's enclosure and make sure they are filled with fresh, cool water. You can also keep your rabbit's water cool by placing ice cubes in the bowls or using a cooling water bottle.
Exercise
Rabbits need regular exercise, but it is important to avoid exercising them during the hottest part of the day. Instead, exercise your rabbit early in the morning or late in the evening. If you do need to exercise your rabbit during the day, make sure to do it in a shady spot and keep your rabbit's exercise sessions short.
Grooming
Rabbits need to be groomed regularly, but it is especially important to brush their fur more often in hot weather. Brushing helps to remove loose fur and prevent mats, which can make it difficult for rabbits to stay cool. You should also trim your rabbit's fur around their anus and genitals to make it difficult for flies to lay eggs.
Heatstroke and Flystrike
Two of the biggest challenges of caring for a pet rabbit in Australia's hot climate are heatstroke and flystrike.
Rabbits are particularly susceptible to heatstroke. Symptoms of heatstroke include excessive panting, glazed eyes, and collapse. If you think your rabbit may be suffering from heatstroke, you should cool them down immediately by placing them in a cool, shaded area and giving them cool water to drink. You can also wet their fur with cool water and fan them. If your rabbit does not cool down within a few minutes, you should take them to a veterinarian immediately.
Flystrike is a serious condition that can be fatal to rabbits. It occurs when flies lay eggs on a rabbit's skin, and the maggots that hatch from the eggs burrow into the rabbit's flesh. To prevent flystrike, it is important to keep rabbits' fur clean and dry. You should also trim your rabbit's fur around their anus and genitals to make it more difficult for flies to lay eggs. If you notice any signs of flystrike, such as redness, swelling, or maggots on your rabbit's skin, you should take them to a veterinarian immediately.
By following these tips, you can help to keep your rabbit happy and healthy in Australia's hot climate. By providing them with a cool and shady place to live, a high-fiber diet, plenty of fresh water, and regular exercise, you can help them to avoid heatstroke and flystrike.