Rabbit Heatstroke: Signs, Prevention, and Safe Summer Setup
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編集部による文献調査に基づく記事です（獣医師による個別監修は受けていません）。参考文献は記事末尾に掲載しています。
Note: This article is not veterinary advice. It is an editorial summary of publicly available information on summer care for rabbits. If you suspect heatstroke, start first aid and contact a veterinarian immediately.
Bottom line: above 28°C is danger territory
Rabbits are covered in fur and cannot sweat. Widely cited targets are 20–24°C as comfortable, and 25–28°C as the upper summer limit (anicom, BUNS). A body temperature above 40.5°C is considered dangerous heatstroke, and delayed care can be fatal (PDSA).
5 warning signs to watch
If even one applies, start first aid and contact your vet.
- Rapid or open-mouth breathing: panting with the mouth open
- Drooling: wet fur around the mouth and chin
- Hot, bright-red ears: ears feel extremely warm and engorged
- Weakness or uncoordinated movement: cannot stand or respond normally
- Seizures or reduced consciousness
First aid (while you get to a vet)
- Gently cool ears and body with a damp (not icy) towel — the ears dissipate heat
- Do not submerge in cold water, as it can cause shock (PDSA)
- Move the rabbit to a cooler room
- Call the vet immediately
- Stop cooling if the rabbit starts shivering
Setting up the room
- Keep the AC on at 25–28°C — also overnight if the room would otherwise exceed 28°C
- Keep humidity at 40–60%
- Put the thermo-hygrometer at cage height, not on a high shelf
- Avoid direct sunlight and window-adjacent cage placement
- Supplement with marble cooling mats or aluminum cooling plates
Keeping rabbits safe while away
- Do not turn off the AC — re-cooling the room takes a long time
- For power-outage backup, place a towel-wrapped ice pack or frozen bottle outside the cage
- Use a circulator for air circulation, but do not blow directly on the rabbit
- A fan alone does not cool a rabbit, since rabbits do not sweat
Choosing a vet and preparing ahead
- Confirm the clinic handles exotic animals before summer
- Know after-hours and weekend options, and keep the numbers somewhere instantly accessible
- If you are new to rabbit care, build a shortlist of clinics in advance
Daily tracking helps you spot signs early
Changes in appetite, droppings, and water intake can be early signals of heat stress. Knowing your rabbit's daily baseline is the most powerful tool for noticing subtle changes.
The usagi Diary app lets you log weight, food, and droppings in about 30 seconds a day.