Yes, Rabbits Can Swim – But Should They? 4 Ways to Keep Your Rabbits Safe

The experience of a wild rabbit is much different from a rabbit you keep as a pet. They do share some characteristics and innate talents. But just because they’re good at something doesn’t mean they should be encouraged. Yes, rabbits can swim. But should they? Learn four ways to keep your rabbits safe!

What Are Rabbits?

When you use the word rabbit, you’re using an umbrella term that incorporates 29 different species of long-eared mammals. Often, the term hare is used when referring to a rabbit, but this would be an incorrect way to describe a rabbit. These two types of animals have completely different life histories, and they live in different habitats.

Typically, rabbits are of the smaller variety, and their ears, though long, are shorter than that of a hare’s. You can find rabbits in a range of diverse habitats. Sometimes they prefer arid environments like deserts, but they don’t shy away from humid environments like wetlands and tropical forests.

Rabbits call a variety of different regions home including the central and southern regions of Africa, Japan, Europe, and North America, to name a few. Unfortunately, rabbits are in a precarious situation and on the verge of extinction.

Many rabbit species are vulnerable. These mammals are herbivores meaning they only snack on plants. They enjoy food like broccoli, seeds, roots, leaves, grass, and fruits. Their natural predators include wild cats, wild dogs, ground squirrels, and several birds like eagles, hugs, and owls.

Can Rabbits Swim?

Although when you think of a rabbit, you think of their jumping abilities, there’s an interesting fact about them. Yes, rabbits can technically swim! They can thank their size for it, too. When they’re in the water, they’re quite buoyant. They’re muscular mammals and when needed, they make great swimmers. In the wild, they use the water to get to a safe place away from predators.

Sometimes, they enter the water to find some food or to find a mate. Although rabbits have this innate ability to swim, it doesn’t necessarily mean that they should always be in the water. In situations when they’re looking for food or escaping a predator, it makes sense that they employ this ability. It’s necessary. But they’re not exactly taking leisurely trips out onto water just for a dip.

In most cases, rabbits prefer to avoid water. This is especially true for rabbits you keep as pets. When you’re providing a safe environment for them, there’s no reason for them to go and hop into the water for a swim. They have what they need including food sources and protection from you. Although they can swim, it’s not a good idea to put them in a kiddy pool and take the hose out.

4 Ways to Keep Your Rabbits Safe

1. Avoid Letting Your Rabbit Get Soaked or Submerged

A rabbit’s undercoat works much like a sponge. If your rabbit gets soaked for any reason, their undercoats start weighing them down. If they’re in a body of water, no matter how small it is, this could present a serious danger. Many compare a soaked rabbit in a body of water to a person diving into a pool in pants and a sweater. It makes swimming that much harder and weighs you down. It can be exhausting to make it across even a short distance.

2. Keep Them Out of Chlorinated Water

Whereas some rabbits have adapted to swim through swamps, an adopted rabbit is likely going to have access to a much more human-curated environment. If you have a pool, make sure you keep your rabbit away from chlorinated water. Chlorine irritates your rabbit’s skin. Plus, pools are not designed in a way that helps rabbits get out of the water. There are steps underwater for humans but for a rabbit, there is a serious risk of drowning or at the very least panic when they’re looking to get out.

3. Secure Roaming Spaces

You don’t want to keep your rabbit locked up all day and night. They need stimulation and freedom to roam. Make sure that wherever you let your rabbit realm, you have secured all entry and exit points. Let them enjoy time with your family, and ensure that whenever they’re out of their enclosure, they have barriers to prevent them from roaming outside or accessing any bodies of water near your home.

4. Provide a Safe, Secure Cage

Whenever you’re away from home, your rabbit needs a secure location to dwell in. Make sure that the enclosure you provide them with has a secure lock that they can’t break through. It should be spacious enough for your rabbit’s comfort and secure enough that you trust it even when you’re not present.

The photo featured at the top of this post is © Robert Adamec/Shutterstock.com