Can Bunnies Swim?

I don’t know if this comes as a surprise, but yes – bunnies can swim. Actually, for many prey mammals, swimming is necessary for survival. However, it is rare to find pet rabbits swimming as many of them will prefer dry land.

So, if you were planning on testing your rabbit’s swimming skills, don’t! If you force your cute bunny to go into the water, it may experience shock, which later becomes aggression. You don’t want to deal with the thumping and biting – it’s scary!

But what if your rabbit has found the indoor pool a place to be? Well, a rabbit that loves swimming will reap a lot of benefits. For example, if the rabbit has arthritis, the exercise will help to ease the pain in the joint areas.

Now, let us answer questions related to the subject. I am pretty sure you’ll be thrilled by the responses and the info given. Swim through!

Bunnies, Swimming, And Anything There Between 

Are Rabbits Fond Of Swimming? What Are The Benefits?

Well, no. The fact that bunnies love staying on the grounds clears any doubts about the first question. But all rabbit owners are advised to get their rabbits swimming if they can. The following tables capture the pluses of having a swimming rabbit:

Benefit	Note
Good exercise	On average, your bunny will need about 20 minutes every day for exercise. The best activity would be swimming since it engages all four limbs.
Zero pressure on joints	Hopping, like jumping and running, cause wear and tear. On the flip side, the water supports the bunny’s legs. For arthritic rabbits and pets at larger, aqua-therapy is one of the best treatment methods.
Little space is consumed	Hopping, running, and exploring are a rabbit’s loves. However, if the space for such activities is limited, the bunny will be bored sooner or later. Swimming spaces are more engaging; the rabbit will love.

Don’t be too excited since all the tabulated info is theoretical. Now, let’s get practical with the following bullets:

1. Panic And fear – when you submerge a rabbit into a large pool of water, it will experience shock that could lead to a heart attack. This information is essential for any rabbit owner – even those planning to give full-body baths to their bunnies. Things could turn deadly in the thwart of a duck’s tail.

2. Inhalation – rabbits breathe through their noses. Since they may not have the mindset of holding their breath, swimming may be pretty tricky.

3. Contamination – any sample of the water will have parasites, viruses, and even bacteria. When these enter the rabbit’s body, things don’t end up well.

4. Limited Lung Space – like other small mammals, rabbits have little lungs. So, if they take in too much water, they would drown quicker than you expect.

Do Rabbit Like Getting Wet? Why Do/Don’t They?

Universally, rabbits hate getting their fur wet. That can be explained by the fact that they spend their entire lives on dry land. You should know that when a bunny’s coat gets wet, its body heat will be affected. This implies that they will start freezing a little too fast.

On a little paradoxical note, rabbits do well in cool temperatures. However, that can be attributed to the provisions of warmth from their thick fur. Read to know the ideal temperature for rabbits.

So, what happens when a rabbit goes swimming? Its coat – which is more like a woolen, thick jacket – gets wet, leaving the damp and cold to seep through its skin and into its bones. That chilly situation can quickly get the pet rabbit shocked. So, altogether avoid getting your rabbit’s fur wet.

Are There Rabbit Breeds That Like Water And Swimming?

Well, some bunnies love engaging with water, even if it is not about swimming. They will love splashing and wading in a tiny pool. If it is summertime, the water will help them cool off since rabbits, unlike humans, do not sweat.

But there are no breeds associated with swimming activities, especially the tame ones. The rabbit mostly known for swimming (to run away from predators) is the marsh rabbit but is a wild one.

What Happens If My Rabbit Falls Into The Water Accidentally?

If a bunny finds itself underwater for even a second, terror will reign. If you find your rabbit struggling to flap on the water surface, fish it out quickly. Then, try soothing her by using a warm blanket.

If you can, get the wrapped-up bunny near an electric heater. If not, get a hot water bottle, wrap it with a small towel then rub it over the bunny’s body. Another option is a hairdryer, which will ward off the wetness and make the bunny feel soothed. After taking up any of the given alternatives, monitor the rabbit for any symptoms of shock and panic.

The way you react and respond to the situation depends on the source of water involved. If it was a little pile on the floor surface, you don’t have to worry about fluid getting in the rabbit’s lungs. A lake or a river should prompt you to get medical help since those sources have lots of water.

What If The Rabbit Fell Into A Pond In My Garden?

Are garden ponds that deep? I don’t think so. So, no need to worry about your rabbit getting submerged. But, there is a risk of swallowing bacteria, viruses, or algae.

You should know the organisms and microorganisms that live in your garden pond. If there are any tadpoles and fish, your rabbit can get harmed. If the water is full of animal feces, you may be looking at a ravaging bacterial infection.

In the period of monitoring, you need to check if the rabbit shows any signs of lethargy or diarrhea. If the situation is not as it should be, take the rabbit to the vet for antibiotic treatment.

What If The Rabbit Fell Into My Pool?

Rabbits have a tiny surface area, and so pools – which are both wide and deep – are hazardous. On top of the depth, there is the issue of chlorine. So, a rabbit that slips and falls into a pool should be taken care of immediately.

Whether the rabbit is submerged or not, it should be retrieved quickly. What follows should be a long session of warming up the bunny’s far. While that happens, the rabbit owner should check if the rabbit is breathing fine or not.

If you’re scared and apprehensive about the entire situation, you should get to the vet. They will conduct tests and scans (like X-rays) to see the effects of the nasty shock that the rabbit went through.

For the pool accident not to happen again, do not allow your rabbit near the pool without your supervision. Rabbits will hop, step, and jump into anything because their curiosity is always alive. If you can, cover the pool.

What If The Rabbit Fell Into My Bathtub, Sink, Or Toilet?

Well, it all depends on the deepness of those items. If the water is a little too deep, the rabbit risks submersion. Shallow sinks, toilets, or bathtubs shouldn’t scare you – you will just need to get the bunny out and get it warmed up.

But there’s something else you need to have in mind – chemicals. These areas have soaps and detergents, some of which have chemicals that can cause damage to the rabbit’s fur.

So, it would help if you always watched out when the rabbit starts hopping to the bathrooms. If you suspect that the bunny has come into contact with bleach toxins, get in touch with the Animal Poison Center (ASPCA).

Final Words

Without a doubt, rabbits can swim. Actually, all lagomorphs all over the world can swim, but it all directs to survival. Humans swim because they want to; rabbits swim because they have to – so there is nothing like recreational swimming for bunnies.

So, always keeps your rabbit away from the water. Unless it loves the scene and has proven to be a good swimmer, let it stick to dry land. Engage me in the comment section before you read any of these rabbit-related topics:

1. Can Rabbits Fart? The Ins And Out Of Bunny Wind Breaking

2. Can Rabbits Eat Pistachios?

3. How Deep Does The Rabbit Hole Go?