Can Rabbits Swim?

There are various species of rabbits. Wild rabbits like swamp and marsh rabbits can swim and that comes to them naturally. These rabbits are named in such a way that one can understand that these ones are found near water bodies. That is why swimming comes naturally to these two rabbit breeds.

Which breeds of rabbit-like to swim?

There are varieties like Dwarf Hotot rabbit and full-bodied Flemish rabbit that can swim and like the process of the activity. They can swim and when adopted, would like to have a swimming session once in a while, especially when the weather is too hot. However, you should not let the bunny swim for longer than 5 minutes even if your bunny seems to enjoy the time in the pool.

This is because their lung will not be able to hold up that much oxygen and also it will exhaust them too much. If you find that the pet rabbit is feeling unwell after coming out of the pool take it to the vet.

Why rabbits are kept away from water?

When some new pet owner adopts a rabbit, he or she is profusely advised to keep the rabbit away from the water bodies. It should not be taken to the pool or even the portable pools which are used for letting the dogs play in the backyard.

Rabbits can swim but should not do that, not until you are assured that your pet knows the way and would not face any sickness after going into the water. Especially the baby rabbits are not supposed to swim at all. The water makes them shiver as their body temperature drops down and they can get stressed and anxious.

This is to prevent them from any accidents, but honestly, rabbits know swimming as an inborn technique. They can keep themselves safe from the water animals if and when approached by them. But when they are adopted and tamed by humans, they may not be able to keep themselves safe as swimming will not be easy for them in the first instance.

Another reason why the pet rabbits should be kept away from the water is that there are various species of this rodent. As we have mentioned earlier, some species of rabbits are well adopted with the water games and can swim really smoothly, while others can barely save their lives but are not that comfortable within the water. As a pet owner, you should not take chance and let the pet go inside the water.

What kind of water suits the rabbits for swimming?

You cannot take the rabbit swimming in the regular human pool. The temperature of the pool water should be slightly warm and not totally cold, which will make the rabbit feel cold. Do not choose the hot water either, as that will also burn the skin of your pet. Rabbits come with a sensitive body and you need to take special care of that always.

No chlorine in the water is good for rabbits. The water should be fresh and natural. If you put some kind of chemical ingredients into the pool water like the regular pools it would harm the skin, coat, and eyes of your pet.

How long can the rabbits swim?

Rabbits like to stay dry during normal times, and that is one of the main reasons they avoid swimming or going into the water without any reason. They can be bathed but not swim regularly. The time length of the rabbit which they will be in the water depends upon the individual rabbit. But it has been seen that rabbits do not prefer to stay in water for more than five to six minutes at a stretch.

Rabbits swim only when they are in need of survival. In the wilderness, they are threatened and chased when they go into any water body. But their ears and lung are not good for staying for a long time in the water and if it is chlorine water then it gets even more hurt.

How to treat the rabbits when they are done with swimming?

When you take the rabbit out of the water after the five-minute schedule you need to pet it and assure that everything is fine. Then pat its fur dry and make sure that it rests for some time. Often the rabbits are seen to feel exhausted after a swimming session, but if you find that your pet is more than exhausted and stressed, you should take it to the vet.

Some pet owners blow dry their rabbit’s fur coat but that is not advisable. The blow-drying makes the coat much rough and strips the oil from it. Thus you can better wrap the creature with a towel and pat it. Then coat will become half-dry after the towel is removed.

Then you can let the rabbit get air-dried. This is a natural process but it will not harm the moisture level of the coat. You should, however, use the towel before letting the rabbit get air-dried, as the whole water should not be air-dried. That can make the rabbit sick as their body temperature will decrease after such a long period of air drying.

How swimming is helpful for rabbits?

Swimming as a sport is quite beneficial. Even for rabbits, swimming can be quite good when they are suffering from joint pains or any kind of arthritis. Even the broken joints of the rabbit can be healed if they go into the water for some time every day.

Can I take my rabbit swimming?

Wild rabbits are good at swimming and they can survive for longer than five minutes inside the water. But the domesticated ones are not that water-friendly. Some owners plan to take their pets swimming but for the rabbit owners, this should not be a regular habit. You can take the pet for a swimming session once a month but swimming too many times will make it sick.

Wild bunnies are adjusted to many adverse situations and they do not fall sick easily. But the domesticated ones lack that strength and skill so they will face difficult conditions after frequent swimming sessions.

Can you tell when your rabbit enjoys swimming?

Rabbits do not like their first experience in the water. Most of them try to escape the water and come out to the sides of the pool. But for the later times if you see that the rabbit is feeling free in the water and it is not coming out on its own, then you can conclude that it likes its experience inside water.

Rabbits are not supposed to be submerged in the first instance. Rather they should be kept in a little amount of water. It should be enjoyable for the little creatures. If it tries to paddle in the water then you can take it to the deeper water.

But if you see that the rabbit is shivering then immediately take it out. It may be a sign of some illness or it is just that the rabbit is getting stressed while in water. It should not be forced to stay in the water anymore.