Winter If your rabbit has a water bottle, be aware that the bit that freezes first is the spout, so although you may think that the water is not frozen in the bottle, there is the chance that the rabbit will not be able to drink out of it due to the ball bearing at the end being frozen solid. On this basis it is rather pointless putting insulation around the bottle as although you may stop the bottle freezing you will not be able to protect the spout. On very cold days where the weather is unlikely to thaw you may need to provide water in a bowl, or position the bottle inside the hutch to stop it freezing so rapidly. Bottles can be attached to the inside of the hutch by fixing a plastic plant pot to the inside wall and making a hole in the bottom for the spout to come through. Bear in mind that some rabbits will think it funny to chew the pot, so make sure it is of the strong variety! It is always useful to have two water bottles anyway, making it easy to swap on a fresh bottle even if you are in a hurry in the morning. If you fill it with hot (not boiling) water then it is less likely to freeze quickly. Some people suggest putting a few drops of glycerine in the water to stop it freezing but I have not found that it works very well and it has the disadvantage of possibly affecting the action of the ball bearing in the spout and maybe even affecting the taste which may put the rabbit off drinking as much.
Spring Do not be surprised if your bunny changes his/her behaviour a bit at this time of year, as even neutered rabbits still react to the lengthening daylight, as this is the cue in the wild for the onset of breeding. This can be the trigger for fighting between pairs, especially female/female pairs, but if you can nurse them through the first few months of the year, they may well settle down again, so long as no long-term damage is done in the meantime. This is also the time of year to either cover the hutch felting with white roofing plastic or paint it white, as there is no doubt that a white roof keeps the inside of the hutch cooler in the hot weather. If you have a plastic lid on the run, you can coat the inside with greenhouse shading. If the rabbits are kept in a greenhouse or conservatory, do remember that on a warm day the heat in such situations builds up dramatically with often fatal results.
Summer The main risk at this time of year is flystrike, so make sure your rabbit's diet is correct so that there are no loose droppings or dirty bottoms. See "rabbit care sheet" for hints on dealing with such problems. Make sure that fresh water is available at times, and be aware that a rabbit will drink more on a hot day, especially in the evening.
Early Autumn Be aware that if your rabbit or guinea pig runs around the garden at this time of year that there will be the extra hazard of fallen fruit such as apples and also the start of fallen leaves, either of which can be a real problem, especially to rabbit's fragile digestive system! Now is also the time to get your hutch and run ready for the winter weather. It is a good idea to completely coat the outside of the wood with a good quality weatherproofing product. Check that it is safe to use with pets. Also check that the roofing felt is still sound and not letting in any rain. Don't forget to check the sides and back as well. At the same time it will be useful to oil any hinges and catches, and make all those little repairs that you have been putting off for another day!Vaccinations are important whatever the time of year. VHD should be given annually, Myxomatosis twice yearly, even although your vet may only say you need it once a year. There have also been several cases of house rabbits catching this horrible disease, so don't think that your rabbit is not at risk just because he or she lives in the house.
