I am worried about my rabbit - First winter outside UK Hutch...........?

If you bring her in, make sure the windows are open is they don't like temperature change. She's too hot inside, hence the panting.

She will be fine outside, you are doing everything right! She'll have her winter coat as well. The ONLY thing you could do to IMPROVE is get her a friend to snuggle up to. Rabbits are very sociable and like to share body heat. :d xxx

Depends where you live. If it doesnt snow where you live, its wont be as dangerous. But make sure your rabbit always has PLENTY of hay and bedding to keep warm, and it in a draft-free area. Rabbits are more suceptible to heat in summer than to cold in winter. Having a well sheltered, draft free and dry cage cage will help keep your rabbit warm. In winter, rabbits can cool down more easily if you've put in too much hay because they can go outside, but in summer its different. If it snows where you live, probably best to keep him inside during winter unless you have an extremely well sheltered cage in a warmer spot. This would have to be chosen carefully. Wild snow rabbits live in the snow remember, so usually its not a problem, but you MUST make sure your rabbit has plenty of hay to keep warm. Otherwise your rabbit could die of cold too. Most rabbits dont have a big problem with being outside in winter provided its not snowing, but cold can kill, so be careful. Dont buy a cheap and nasty outdoor cage, and a good idea is for the cage to have a hallway like compartment before reaching the actual house part of the hutch. So the rabbit goes down the hall and then into the bedroom. That helps keep out cold. If your winter reaches a minimum of 7-8 degrees however, this isnt nesecary. Yes, rabbits can live perfectly happily outside in winter, just make sure they dont get too cold and have plenty of food available. Having a flemish helps too, because its a big bunny who will keep warm more easily.

I think you are doing everything right. Some pet shops suggest that you bring your little companion inside over the winter months which is what I do with mine and he's as happy as larry. But yeh i guess if you give her lots of hay and keep the hutch away from any wind and prevent the rain from going in and soaking her bedding then she should be absolutely fine. Just make sure you get one of those water bottle covers to prevent her water from freezing because they do like to drink quite a lot. I wouldn't give her anything fabric to sleep with, rabbits chew things when they're bored and the might get it stuck in her little bunny throat and they don't have a gag reflex to cough it back up. Anyways I hope this helped and your bunny is nice and warm for the winter. Merry christmas also! From Lauren and max the bunny!

Due to rabbits been wild animals they are usually very good in cold weather, if you would like to it may be a good idea, when there is frost or snow, to lay old carpet or a cloth over the top of the hutch to stop a cold breeze. But my two rabbits are more than happy if i keep there bedding area topped up regularly with hay. but just be careful when you bring a rabbit inside they will have grown a winter coat to keep them warm so just becareful that it doesnt become to hot.

by the sounds of things and her panting shes too hot, her ears are warm because she is trying too cool down. my rabbit is outside and had her first winter last year, all she had was extra hay, she is also the breed that has only one Layer of fur instead of the normal two. rabbits are use to the cold weather and like dogs grow a winter coat. getting a cage covers a good idea but fresh air must easily be able to get in. also feed her more as she will store the food as fat and use that for insulation and extra heat. when it does snow she will probably enjoy it. my rabbit refused to go bed she was happy running about digging up snow for grass.

Rabbits are actually extremely tolerant of low temperatures and can survive outdoors in the winter as long a their hutch is nice and warm. Rabbits aren't as good at coping with very high temperatures but luckily in the UK we don't get weather hot enough to kill them. They are brilliant with winter weather though.