10/07/2026
Keeping Your Small Furries Safe in the Heat
Rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters and other small pets can struggle to cope in hot weather, so it’s important to help them stay cool.
Here are our top tips:
🔸Make sure they always have access to fresh, cool water and check bottles regularly to ensure they’re working properly.
🔸Keep hutches and enclosures out of direct sunlight and make sure there is plenty of shade throughout the day.
🔸If possible, move hutches into a cooler, well-ventilated area during periods of extreme heat.
🔸Place frozen water bottles wrapped in a towel in their enclosure for them to lie next to.
🔸Offer water-rich vegetables, such as cucumber, alongside their normal diet (only as suitable for their species).
🔸Ensure there is good airflow, but avoid placing them in direct draughts.
🔸Keep enclosures clean, especially in warmer weather, as flies are more active and rabbits are at risk of flystrike.
⚠️ Watch out for signs of heat stress:
• Rapid or shallow breathing
• Lethargy or reluctance to move
• Drooling
• Hot ears (particularly in rabbits)
• Weakness or collapse
If you think your small pet is suffering from heatstroke, move them somewhere cool, gently cool them using cool (not ice-cold) water on their ears or feet if appropriate, and contact your vet straight away.
A little extra care during the warmer weather can make a big difference to our smallest companions.
