What temperature is too hot for rabbits?

Rabbits struggle above roughly 25°C. Heat stress leads to reduced eating, gut stasis, and flystrike. Move hutches to shade and improve airflow immediately in heatwaves.

How do I cool down a rabbit in hot weather?

Move to shade, provide frozen water bottles wrapped in fleece, damp tiles to lie on, and ensure constant fresh water. Never submerge a rabbit in cold water — stress can trigger gut stasis.

Should outdoor rabbits come inside during heatwaves?

The RWAF recommends bringing rabbits indoors to a cool room during extreme heat if possible. Outdoor hutches must have shade all day — sun moves.

Rabbit Health

Rabbit Summer Care UK — Heat, Hutches & Flystrike

Published 1 June 2026Last updated 25 June 20261 min read

Quick answer

UK rabbits need shade all day, good airflow, and twice-daily rear checks in summer. Above 25°C, heat stress and flystrike risk rise sharply. Not eating for 12 hours remains an emergency — heat makes gut stasis more likely.

Hutch placement in heatwaves

According to the RWAF and RSPCA, rabbits need shade throughout the day in summer — the sun moves, so a hutch that was shaded in the morning may be in full sun by afternoon. During extreme heat, the RWAF recommends bringing rabbits indoors to a cool room where possible.

Reposition hutches as the sun moves
Never leave under direct sun or against heat-radiating walls
Increase ventilation without drafts directly on resting rabbits
Consider an indoor cool room during red weather warnings

Cooling methods

Method	Notes
Frozen water bottle in fleece	Rabbit can lean against safely
Ceramic tiles	Stay cool in shade
Damp towel on hutch roof	Evaporative cooling — keep wiring safe
Plenty of water	Bottles and bowls; check twice daily

Heat stress signs

Fast breathing, flared nostrils
Lying stretched out, reluctant to move
Hot ears
Not eating, fewer droppings — vet today

Flystrike prevention

Essential in summer — read Rabbit flystrike prevention UK.

Sources & further reading

Facts in this guide are rewritten in plain English from publicly available UK advice. We name the organisation where a specific point comes from their guidance. Links below go to the original pages — use them to read the source material directly.

PETHEALTH+ is independent. These organisations do not sponsor, approve, or partner with this website. Guidance checked against sources listed below (last updated 2026-06-25).

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Frequently Asked Questions

What temperature is too hot for rabbits?: Rabbits struggle above roughly 25°C. Heat stress leads to reduced eating, gut stasis, and flystrike. Move hutches to shade and improve airflow immediately in heatwaves.
How do I cool down a rabbit in hot weather?: Move to shade, provide frozen water bottles wrapped in fleece, damp tiles to lie on, and ensure constant fresh water. Never submerge a rabbit in cold water — stress can trigger gut stasis.
Should outdoor rabbits come inside during heatwaves?: The RWAF recommends bringing rabbits indoors to a cool room during extreme heat if possible. Outdoor hutches must have shade all day — sun moves.