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Yes they can die from a heat stroke. I had one and that's how it died when I left it outside when it was very hot.

Temperatures above 78 degrees Fahrenheit (25 degrees Celsius) can be life-threatening to rabbits - especially if the rabbit's in direct sunlight. it's okay for some direct sunlight to hit your rabbit's enclosure, but the bunnies must always have access to the shade.

When it gets above 75 F (23 C), you should do things to make sure your rabbits stay comfortable and safe. Here are some suggestions:

  • Provide air conditioning
  • Chill ceramic or stone tiles in the freezer for the rabbit to lie on
  • Freeze a block of ice in a jug and set it down near the rabbit - even if the rabbit doesn't want to lay against it, it will cool the air as it evaporates
  • Drape a cold wet towel near the rabbit and aim a fan at the towel - a fan alone doesn't much help rabbits because they don't really sweat, but the fan aimed at the towel will cool the nearby air as the water evaporates
  • Mist the rabbit's ears with cold water
  • Provide lots of cold water to drink
  • Maximize air flow and shade in the area
  • Keep an eye on your rabbit and look for signs of heat stroke:
    • Panting
    • Lethargy
    • Salivation
    • Weakness
    • Confusion
    • Convulsion
    Be prepared to bring your rabbit to the vet, but do NOT immerse the rabbit in water because this will make the problem worse (it will shrink the blood vessels, making it harder for the body to cool itself down).

See the related questions below for more info and helpful links.

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13y ago

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