Warming Bunny In Winter

[pinknfwuffy]

It is too early in the season to ask this, but I wanted to get a head start. Long story short, I live in a remote area that gets hit by some pretty bad winter storms every year. The power usually goes out for a short time, maybe an hour or two, but last year there was a particularly tough storm that had our entire community down for 24-48 hours (longer for some areas). I rent and my building does not have a generator. Everything is electric and I do not have a fireplace, sadly.

I am trying to think of some DIY ideas to make sure Olaf has a way to keep warm in case we run into another long-term outage. I have the usual fleece blankets for him and since there are only two rooms in the apartment, I tend to turn up the heat the night before a storm and close all inside doors to compartmentalize the warmth for when it goes down.

I know bunnies are much better adapted to cold than they are heat, but do you think I should make a powerless heating pad for him just in case? The apartment got pretty darn cold last year in a very short amount of time. I didn’t have Olaf yet, but I was in bed in my winter coat waiting it out.

My idea is sewing a rectangular pouch out of fleece, like a pillowcase, and adding polyfill. When it’s very cold I’ll insert an activated handwarmer pack so he can lay on or lean against it. The open end will be closed with a zipper or velcro strip. Note: I will only offer this option to him when I am there to supervise so he doesn’t get into the pack or filler.

The only other DIYs I’ve seen used rice (no go for bunnies) and I wouldn’t have a microwave to use anyways without power. Am I crazy to even be thinking this way? I just want him to be safe and cozy.

Thank you!

[Benthebunny]

What I do on cold days is I bring Ben into my room and get body heat in the blankets and just sleep beside him.

[pinknfwuffy]

I cant stand how cute that sounds, BentheBunny!. :]

Unfortunately, unless it were an emergency situation, Olaf will be in the living room. That’s his space and where his cage is located. He’s not a fan of being held, picked up or snuggling particularly close, much to my dismay. And by “particularly close” I mean I get one end of the couch and he gets the other. ;] Just trying to keep him warm in his little man cave.

[Bam]

A powerless heating-pad could be good. I have hand-warmers like that, you “break” them so they get warm and after use you can “reload” them in hot water. I’ve never used them with the buns but it could happen if they get tummy trouble and can’t keep warm.
I think I’d put a fleece blankie in the cage and let the bunny burrow in it. For humans they recommend making a cave out of a table and blankies and comforters. A smaller cave could be good for a bunny. It’s also good to elevate the cage off the floor, f ex by placing it on a stack of old newspapers.
I honestly think Olaf will cope well with the cold if he has bedding material he can create a cozy den from. Plus he is a Himalayan bunny with a Norwegian name

[pinknfwuffy]

Thanks Bam! You’re right, he comes from a hearty lineage of chilly-willy buns! :] I like the cave idea. His cage is already up on gym mat puzzle-pieces but I’ll keep that in mind. He also prefers huddling in his loft so if it comes to it maybe I’ll line that area with fleece blankets and “curtains”. It will be a little bunny cabana!

I secretly imagine him in a hat, scarf, and mittens. It hurts my heart a little.

[Whitesnowy]

Rabbits don’t have any problems with cold. When there is no direct air blowing (since you’re in a building), there’s absolutely nothing to worry about.

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