Safe Care of Rabbits in Autumn/Winter

Rabbits are the third most popular pet in the UK (after dogs and cats) and one of the best ways to make sure that your pet has a long and happy life is to keep your rabbit bedding clean and sanitary.

Rabbit Awareness week took place in September, an annual event held together with a number of official organisations and individuals such as vets and the RSPCA. The idea was to raise awareness about how best to look after your pet rabbit to keep it healthy all year round.

Whereas dogs and cats seem to be well cared for whatever the season, rabbits are often neglected in winter. Rabbit bedding is not replaced as frequently and there is less physical contact between rabbits and their owners.

In summer, especially during the school holidays, rabbits are frequently petted by their young owners. They are also given more freedom to use their outdoor run which means rabbit bedding stays fresher for longer.

However, this all changes in autumn and winter. From September onwards rabbits are generally left in their hutches more as the kids go back to school and have less time to look after their pets. Children are also reluctant to go outside when it is cold and dark in the evenings.

As rabbits spend more time in their cages, it is even more important for your pet to have regular clean outs to replace soiled rabbit bedding and rabbit litter.

Your rabbit can live as long as 10-12 years (in some cases even longer) and they need just as much love, care and attention as a dog or cat. To give your pet the best care all year round, there are some steps you can take to make it easier for you - and your rabbit - during the winter months.

The right choice of rabbit bedding and rabbit litter can go a long way to making your pet feel cosy and comfortable whatever the temperature outside. Here we shall look at SmartBedz rabbit bedding and rabbit litter and how it can help you, and your pet, this winter.

Rabbit Bedding - click here to buy our universal bedding from our online shop.

The Best Choice of Autumn and Winter Rabbit Bedding

Your rabbit is not a seasonal pet, in autumn and winter it needs just the same care that it had during the summer.

To make it easier to care for your rabbit, it is important to choose the right rabbit bedding and rabbit litter and perhaps switch over to something that is more winter friendly, such as SmartBedz.

SmartBedz rabbit litter is made of pulped straw, so it is a good insulator for the winter months. In addition to this, it keeps your pet dry as it soaks up urine at a rapid rate and can absorb up to four times its volume in moisture, so your rabbit stays comfortable.

Using SmartBedz rabbit litter makes it quicker and easier for you to clean your rabbit’s cage as you can spot clean the hutch in between more thorough weekly clean outs. Just scoop out any solids and wet pellets - which are easily identifiable - and add a few more dry ones.

The best way to make your rabbit snug is to add a layer of SmartBedz rabbit litter/rabbit bedding on the base of the hutch. Make this thicker than you would normally in the summer (around 2cm). Do the same to the sleeping quarters, but also include lots of hay for your rabbit to make a nest out of, so it can be warm and cosy when it is cold outside. At night, put a blanket over the cage for insulation but do make sure that you leave a wide enough gap at the front of the cage to give your rabbit adequate air to breathe.

SmartBedz not only helps keep your pet’s hutch clean and sanitary, it also brings a number of other benefits. If your pet does happen to nibble on it, the rabbit bedding is full of fibre, which allows for healthy digestion and is good for their teeth. However, it is important to note, SmartBedz is not a food supplement so do make sure that your rabbit has access to clean water every day, as well as dried food and fresh greens.

Another way SmartBedz makes life easier for you and your pet, is that it is a universal pet litter, so you can not only use it for your rabbits but also for your guinea pigs, cats, tortoises, chickens and other animals.

SmartBedz is a completely natural product that is biodegradable, so you can dispose of it on your compost heap. So not only does it help keep your pet healthy - but your garden too!

If you do feel you are pushed for time in winter, one option is to move your rabbit’s hutch indoors when the temperature drops. Another solution is to call for outside help. There are some individuals and organisations that not only offer house sitting for dogs and cats, but can also come round during the day to feed and pet your rabbit. This means you can rest assured that your rabbit is well cared for all year round and your family pet never gets bored or neglected.

Rabbit Litter - click here to buy our universal bedding from our online shop.