Im worried about my bunny.

[tiger_rascal]

I have a pet bunny. He is an outside rabbit. I got him last year when he was only a couple of months old. He spent last winter in the house, but when spring came I bought a really nice hutch and put it on the covered back porch. Ever since about April he has lived outside in the hutch. Its a nice big weather proof hutch on our covered back porch.

Well, he has done really well this winter. He had enough time in the year to grow his winter coat and I gave him plenty of straw. I also put a tarp over the hutch just in case. I also always make sure he has fresh food and water, of course.

Tonight it is about 14 degrees! But with the wind it feels like about 7!!! I just checked on him and he seems fine. He lays in the closed in part of the hutch on his bed of straw. He came out to see me after I got off work. I just hope the cold does not bother him.

[db44]

If you're that concerned, can't you bring him in?

[tiger_rascal]

No. You cant bring an outside rabbit back indoors once they've grown accustomed to the outdoors. Well, you could, but I could not put him back outside afterwards, once it got really cold again it would kill him.

[db44]

I don't know what to tell you then... Rabbits are outdoor animals, but they also burrow. I don't think he'll be able to.

[tiger_rascal]

Thats why I have a lot of straw in his home. He has a bed area that he can crawl into and I have a lot of straw in it so he can make his bed by burrowing into it and essentially covering up. Also, straw traps their body heat.

I doubt he mines the cold. I just worry too much. I've been told rabbits actually prefer the cold over the heat.

[tiger_rascal]

Alright, I just checked on him. He seems fine. I worry too much. I gave him some fresh water. My main worry is his water bottle freezing solid. I gave him more food, more water and more hay and I pulled the tarp down over the hutch and secured it.

I'll probably wake up in the middle of the night and have to check on him. :)

[db44]

Even if the water freezes, you'll be able to give him some in the morning... He won't dehydrate by then.

[tiger_rascal]

I dont like winter. I cant wait for spring!!!

[db44]

If there's one thing this place has over the northeast, it's the lack of a true winter.

[tiger_rascal]

I want to visit Arizona!

I've never really been interested in the south west, but in the past couple of years I've really wanted to visit places like Arizona.

[bekahbeans]

chad, he'll be fine. We had outdoor rabbits for several years and they lived happily through below zero temperatures every winter.

As long as you have him in a protected area (which you do) and he has straw to burrow into and stay warm (which you do) he'll be warm enough.

Put warm water in the bottle. It lasts longer that way.

[tiger_rascal]

Thanks Bekah. :)

Its morning, we have more snow, its still very cold and my bunny is fine.

I want to go take some pictures now, but its snowing and the wind is blowing too hard. I cant risk getting my camera wet. Maybe if it slacks up a bit this afternoon.

[summerlight00]

So your bunny is ok now.^_^

[tiger_rascal]

Yes, my bunny is fine. :)

[Arctic Fervor]

I don't blame you for being worried. Bunnies seem like very delicate creatures to me. I had one when I was little and it died. But we left it in the garage for too long. :( Not smart.