Frozen water bottles

[maherwoman]

Hey guys...quick question...

I have frozen water bottles that I circulate during the especially hot days (when the AC doesn't keep it below 73F in here), and have noticed that Maisie basically ignores hers, and only gives it enough attention to roll it from the top level to the bottom floor. She plays her short little game with it, and then completely ignores it. I've been giving them these frozen water bottles for a few weeks (perhaps a month) now, and have yet to see Maisie actually take advantage of it. Does this mean she's not hot enough to need it? Her fur is noticably lighter than Flower's (as in, not as thick), so could it be that she just doesn't get as hot? Flower will let me put the water right up next to her belly while she's laying down, and she won't get up, she'll just stay laying there, and enjoy the coldness. She cools off in literally seconds after I put it there. I never see Maisie breathing "hot" like I see Flower do (it's my cue to get out the water bottles), so does this mean she just doesn't get that hot? Should I worry at all?

Thanks, guys!

 

[sheridan]

I wondered about that aswell.My 2 just ignore the waterbottles. Your suggestions of thinner fur could be it. My 2 are rexes. Could that be it?

 

[pinksalamander]

I tried water bottles too, and William obviously didn't get it. So i started using frozen ceramic tiles which he loves to lay out flat on!

 

[MyBabyBunnies]

Trust me, if the rabbits are hot enough, they will lay next to them. Chances are, you are just 'over-reacting' (like all bunny parents) and putting the bottles in when it's not hot enough for them to need it. For a lot of rabbits, just laying stretched out is enough to be comfortable.

You can still try a tile. It doesn't have to be in the freezer, just put a tile in and it may be just right for them to lay on.

 

[maherwoman]

Oh, ok...yeah, I'm probably sitting here hot, and thinking they must be hot, too. Lol!!

Flower cuddles up next to hers and practically lays on it!!

The tile idea is a good one, and not too expensive if I'm only buying a couple! Good one!

Thanks!

MyBabyBunnies wrote:

Trust me, if the rabbits are hot enough, they will lay next to them. Chances are, you are just 'over-reacting' (like all bunny parents) and putting the bottles in when it's not hot enough for them to need it. For a lot of rabbits, just laying stretched out is enough to be comfortable.

You can still try a tile. It doesn't have to be in the freezer, just put a tile in and it may be just right for them to lay on.

 

[maherwoman]

Yeah, it sounds like that might be the best bet for my Maisie. I think she's just a lot cooler than Flower, due to her having thinner fur. But I think the tiles might just be the trick. Like I said, too, I never see her breathing heavily like I see Flower doing, so she could just be a lot cooler.

What kinda bun is William again? Aah...that's right, he's your cute little green-pawed (lol) lop! He's such a cutie!!

I had hoped Flower's ears would have lopped, but the furthest we've gotten was a half-way lopped right ear, and an airplaned left ear (completely horizontal...its cute). I think she saw Maisie's ears being uppity, and thought hers were funny if they fell. She's so cute!!

pinksalamander wrote:

I tried water bottles too, and William obviously didn't get it. So i started using frozen ceramic tiles which he loves to lay out flat on!

 

[MyBabyBunnies]

All my bunnies handle heat differently. Spice handles it the best and then Mocha. Zoey handles it a lot worse. She breathes fast, feels warmer, and generally looks hotter. Which makes no sense because her fur is the thinnest. I have a feeling it's because her ears are lopped and they don't help keep her as cool as the boys' ears do.

 

[maherwoman]

MBB...that makes sense to me about her ears being lopped...I could see how that would make her hotter than your other babies.

I was puzzed for a minute, too, when I was thinking about Maisie vs Flower...because Maisie is a dark gray color, and Flower is white...but Flower has much thicker fur, so then it all fell into place for explanatino. Lol...