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Jumper for chilly older bunny?

S

Shula

Warren Scout
Just had my 10 year old house rabbit on my lap and under a blanket for over two hours to warm him up, as he was shivering. He is in a toasty warm, centrally heated flat, and is a lionhead so very furry anyway.

Just wondering if anyone has had success using pet 'jumpers' (like the kind for dogs etc) in this kind of situation? Or any other suggestions for chilly old age buns? :love:

Thanks
 
I would get him checked over by a vet tomorrow, or preferably ring an emergency vet tonight for advice - he shouldn't be shivering.

Is he eating & pooing OK?
Does he have space to move around to keep warm (rather than being confined to a small cage all day)?
Does he have a nest box? Somewhere you can stuff with hay so he can keep himself warm. Maybe also consider getting a Snugglesafe microwave heat pad to go in his nest box.
 
Thanks :thumb:

He's a free range house rabbit so he isn't ever confined. He lies right underneath the radiator for most of the day, which is on full blast from 7am-11pm. He's gradually been losing weight and is very skinny now, which I think is partly why he's getting cold. He's under the care of the vet and is just being as loved as much as possible while he's still enjoying life. He loves cuddles, but this is the first time I've ever known him shiver, and it seemed to take so long for him to warm up :cry:
 
I would still get him examined. Rabbits go downhill very quickly, and shivering is not normal.
Has the cause of the weight loss been determined?
 
He could be in chronic renal failure and this can mean the blood pressure is not well controlled and drops very low. This then leads to an inability to regulate body temperature. Has the Vet run a blood profile to check his renal function ?
 
I once made a fleece cape for a 12 year old with kidney issues who could not control his temperature, yet did not do much to keep him warm. Fluid therapy helped for a while. He did not shiver, yet was cool. He liked supplemental syringe feeds to help with his weight. Has your vet diagnosed any condition? a snuggle safe , insulated box is a good idea.
He must have good care to be with you at 10.
 
Last edited:
I would get him checked by the vet and if he’s ok, a snuggle safe heat pad will be better.
 
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