Winter is a time of year when temperatures drop and the weather turns ugly. While humans can head indoors and switch the central heating on, things are not quite so simple for rabbits. Many of these pets are kept outside, in sheds or in garages over this season which means now is the time to think about keeping your rabbits happy over winter.

But how can you do this effectively?

Weatherproof their hutch

In the same way as houses allow humans to live in comfort over winter, hutches are key to rabbits. A good tip, therefore, is weatherproofing their hutch. This will help to protect it from the rain, snow and ice which winter often brings. But how can you do this?

To begin with, give their hutch a thorough inspection and fix any damage which could leave your pets exposed to the elements. You might also want to consider a sloped roof on your hutch, as this will allow any rainwater to run off. It is also wise to put the hutch in a sheltered spot because this will see it protected from bad weather. If your hutch is wooden, it is also worth treating it with a pet-friendly product to stop bad weather rotting it.

Make sure to keep your rabbits warm

Once the hutch is weatherproof, the next thing to tackle is keeping your pets warm over winter. This is especially important for rabbits who do not like the cold. Many people will add an extra layer of bedding (such as hay or straw) to the hutch in order to do this. You could also use silver-backed mats around the outside of the hutch to keep them warmer. If you do not have these types of mats, an old duvet or blanket wrapped around the hutch exterior can help. When it gets very wet or windy, you could also secure tarpaulin with eyelet holes over the hutch to help.

Winter food and nutrition is crucial

What rabbits eat and drink over winter is central to giving them the care they need. Make sure that your rabbits always have access to fresh, clean water to drink. It is key to check this regularly each day because low temperatures could make water that has been outside for a while freeze. At this time of year, rabbits should eat good quality, roughage-based diet. As well as hay, plenty of vegetables are good for rabbits over winter to keep them healthy.

Natural pet remedies can help

As well as their regular diet, you might also think about using natural calming pet remedies. These remedies can help your rabbits feel less stressed over winter when being outside in colder temperatures might prove challenging to them. As you also might not pop out to see them as much, calming natural remedies also stop them fretting. If you have a solo rabbit, these calming pet-safe products also stop them from worrying about being on their own.

Calming, natural pet remedies from Pet Remedy

Here at Pet Remedy, we have a range of natural calming products which are safe for rabbits. If you are looking for ways to help them stay relaxed and happy over winter, they are the ideal solution. Order online with us today or get in touch at in**@**********co.uk.