We all want our rabbits to enjoy the comforts of our homes. Can Rabbits Have Blankets and Towels?
Are they safe materials to put inside a rabbit’s cage? What are the risks involved? Do rabbits get cold at night?
In this article, we will find if or can rabbits have blankets and towels.
Can Rabbits Have Blankets and Towels?
Yes. Be prepared though that rabbits will chew on these blankets and towels and ingest some fabrics. Threadbare blankets with holes in them can easily trap the paws of a rabbit. If you notice that large amounts of fabric is being ingested, this is not safe.
Many rabbit caregivers choose to wrap their rabbits in blankets calling it a rabbit burrito. This provides comfort for their rabbits, but it’s not recommended unsupervised.
Rabbits are much better suited with bedding options that are disposable such as shredded paper or Aspen shavings.
Are Towels Safe for Rabbits?
If you choose to use towels in your rabbit’s cage and leave it unattended, go for fleece or cotton materials only. Understand that your rabbit will probably chew on it and ingest small amounts.
This is why it’s important that these towels are unscented and are free of any other types of additives. Small amounts are safe for consumption, but should be better avoided by not placing a towel in the cage and only using it while you are around.
You can obviously use a towel to wipe down your rabbit, but keeping it inside the cage while you are away does involves its own risks that Aspen shavings or shredded paper does not.
Are Blankets Safe for Rabbits?
There are many types of blankets that you could use for a rabbit. We still do not recommend that a blanket stays inside the hutch or cage while you are away. This is because the fabrics will get loose and your rabbit will ingest parts of it.
If you really wish to use blankets, try to search for softer materials. Polar fleece this is a safer fabric in our opinion because the fibers are very short and do not cause any problems in the digestive tract of a rabbit when they are inevitably consumed in small amounts.
Let your rabbit enjoy polar fleece without worrying about ingesting or pulling longer synthetic fibers that get stuck or trapped in their digestive systems.
Do Rabbits Need Blankets?
No. If your rabbit is provided with enough warmth in a secure hutch and surrounding environment where the temperature is maintained, a blanket is unnecessary.
Pillows and blankets can keep your rabbit safe, but keep in mind, ingestion will occur when these fabrics are chewed on. There are safer options for bedding to keep your rabbit warm such as Aspen shavings or shredded paper.
Can Rabbits Sleep on Towels?
Some people place towels and blankets inside the enclosure of a rabbit, but they are not recommended. The addition of blankets and towels in a rabbit’s home can cause holes where your rabbits paws can get trapped inside.
They may start chewing on their own limbs in order to escape. You are adding many risks including digestive problems if any of these fabrics are consumed.
If you are going to use blankets or towels choose fleece or cotton as the top options, but it is better if your rabbit sleeps on hay, Aspen shavings or shredded paper.
Do Rabbits Need Blankets at Night?
No. A rabbit is going to enjoy blankets and pillows including towels and other types of cushions.
The problem however, is that you must supervise your rabbit or else risk the opportunity for this furry companion of yours to ingest large amounts of fabric that can get stuck in their digestive systems.
Blankets and pillows can also cause a rabbit to overheat if the temperature is comfortable outside of their enclosure whether there are any inside your home or outdoors.
Do Rabbits Get Cold at Night?
Yes. Rabbits are warm-blooded creatures that can get cold if the temperatures are not in their comfort range.
Rabbits are however, cold weather animals and can resist or withstand lower temperature down to 30 degrees Fahrenheit or -2 degrees Celsius.
Keep their hutches well-insulated and your rabbit will be fine outdoors in conditions that might be too cold for us, but comfortable for them.
Can I Put a Blanket Over My Rabbits Cage?
Many members of the rabbit community advise a stressed rabbit inside a cage could have a blanket over the enclosure. Although this is calming rabbits down in many occasions, there are also some risks.
A rabbit can pull this blanket into the cage and start chewing on the fabric. This can create respiratory problems, digestive issues or holes where a rabbit’s limbs can get stuck.
There are the types of rabbit cage shades or covers that you can use without resorting to placing a blanket over the cage.
Why Does My Rabbit Pee on Blankets?
There are many reasons why your bunny might be peeing on your bed or blankets. A bunny rabbit is trying to mark territory. If you wish for a rabbit to lay on a sofa or bed with you, put out a small towel for them to rest on.
This is much easier than washing soiled bed sheets, blankets or cushions. If your rabbit is too far from its litter tray, you might need to place another litter tray closer to the area where you are both enjoying your cuddle time.
Do Bunnies Like Being Wrapped in a Blanket?
Rabbits enjoy soft fabrics and blankets. They can roll around or rest on blankets in your home, but they should do so supervised. The softness and comfort that these materials provide comes with a risk.
A rabbit wrapped in a blanket could also feel stressed and wish to chew itself out of it. With chewing comes ingestion.
If a rabbit ingests too much fabric from a blanket, it can cause digestive issues. A blanket with many holes in it can also create traps where the paws of your rabbit can get stuck inside.
Why It’s Best to Avoid Unnecessary Bedding
Adding more items inside your rabbit’s cage can create more harm than it does good when trying to add to your rabbit’s comfort. You’re making litter training much more difficult because there are more options and locations for a rabbit to relieve themselves.
These items that you place in a rabbit enclosure such as blankets, pillows, cushions or towels can end up attracting bugs, bacteria and foul odors.
You will be forced to clean and maintain the hutch more often leaving this task to take up more of your time and cause more frustration. A lot of rabbits prefer hard surfaces that are cool like tile or concrete.
Should I Give My Rabbit A Blanket?
I would give a rabbit a blanket for exercise purposes only. This is the time where my rabbit is supervised by me. We are talking and pretending to dig inside and burrowing in this blanket together.
Once exercise sessions are complete, I take the blanket outside or wash it on my own. I do not place the blanket inside my rabbit’s enclosure because I do not want any fabrics to be torn, ingested or holes that can cause my rabbit’s limbs to get stuck inside.
Can Bunnies Sleep Under Blankets?
No. a rabbit is not going to sleep under the blanket. Chances are your pet is going to push the blanket to the side. A rabbit would prefer to be on the cooler side then hot.
Overheating can occur if a rabbit is wrapped up inside a blanket for too long. Rabbits like to make a mess of their enclosure and will choose to push, move or shove the bedding the side or use it as a chewing toy instead which can cause its own digestive or respiratory issues as well.
Do Rabbits Eat Fabric?
Yes. Rabbits are curious and have teeth that continue to grow. They have open roots and will need to shave down their teeth by chewing on anything including fabrics.
Chewing is the first part of the motion, while the second part is ingesting it. If your rabbit continues to eat large portions of fabric, it can cause more harm than good. Rabbit don’t need fabric inside their enclosure.
Conclusion
In many cases that we have tried, a rabbit chooses to push away the blankets and towels and sleep on a flat surface. They might shove these blankets and towels to the corner and use it as a litter area instead.
The bedding that you have chosen becomes foul, smelly, full of bacteria, urine or feces.
If your rabbit is outdoors, insulate the hutch that is solid, thick wood or metal and an indoor rabbit should be comfortable with the thermostat that keeps you and your family comfortable as well.
Thank you for visiting PocketPetCentral.com for the best information to help you enjoy the life of your pocket pet companion in a fun, safe & healthy way.
