Do Rabbits Like To Play In Water?

As you know, rabbits are built for the cool days, if not cold days. The summer heat can quickly stress our rabbits. 

So, on a hot summer day, you may be tempted to put your rabbit in a wash tub, or baby pool, or even in a big lap pool.  After all, cooling off in the pool makes us feel good, and it seems to cool off our pet dogs as well.  

But, we don’t often think of rabbits swimming do we?  

Do rabbits like to play in water? 

Is it OK to bathe a rabbit? 

Can a bunny swim?

No, most rabbits do not like to play in water.  Most rabbits become very stressed when their fur gets soaked with water.  Therefore, we should help our rabbits avoid getting soaked by water or forcing them to swim!

The Swamp Rabbit Is An Exception!
See below – The Coolest video of a wild Swamp Rabbit swimming at high speed! 

Do Rabbits Like To Play In Water?

No, most rabbits do not like to play in water.

Rabbits do not bathe or take puddle baths. Instead, rabbits clean themselves and each other through their grooming.

Swimming or being in a tub of water is very stressful for most rabbits.

That said, every now and then we do hear about or see, on youtube, a rabbit that genuinely seems to enjoy playing in water, and swimming. For example, here is a rare domestic rabbit that seems perfectly happy swimming in a pool.

Bunny Swimming in Backyard Pool

Can Rabbits Swim?

Yes, rabbits can swim in water!  

If they need to swim, rabbits can swim.  For example, a wild rabbit may swim across a creek or stream to escape a predator.  When forced to swim, rabbits seem to be able to swim fairly well.

But for most rabbits, swimming is a very stressful experience.

Do Swamp Rabbits Swim?

Yes, Yes, and Yes a Swamp Rabbit Can Swim!  Swamp Rabbits (Sylvilagus aquaticus) are the largest of the eastern cottentails and are expert swimmers.  

The swamp rabbit is an animal that seems to prefer to swim. One reason may be because Swamp rabbits have fur so thick that it keeps the water off their skin; their fur is essentially waterproof. 

Additionally, Swamp rabbit kits are born fully furred.  Their eyes and ears are not open at birth, but they are fully furred, which puts even baby Swamp rabbits at an advantage (other wild and domestic rabbits are born blind and without fur).

So, when asked, “Can cottontail rabbits swim?” Or “Can wild rabbits swim?”, the answer is yes – there is one species of wild cottontail rabbits that swims!

Swamp Rabbits Caught Swimming!

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Is It Safe For Rabbits To Swim?

The most useful answer is no, it is not safe for your domestic rabbit to swim.  Here are some reasons why.

• Rabbits have Evolved To Run:  With the exception of the Swamp Rabbit, Rabbits have evolved to run, not swim. 
  
  • As a prey animal, rabbits have evolved to evade predators by hiding, blending in with their environment, and running very fast.
    
    
• Wet Rabbit Fur:  Rabbit fur is very thick.  Once it is wet from swimming, it is very hard to get it fully dry.
  
  • If using a blow dryer to dry your rabbit’s wet fur, be sure to turn off the heat (use just the cool setting).  Rabbit’s have very sensitive skin. 
    
  • While their fur is wet, you need to keep them warm.  Wet fur pulls a tremendous amount of body heat.  Rabbits can quickly become hypothermic.
    
    
• Rabbit Stress and Shock: A bunny that is forced to swim is a very stressed bunny.  Rabbits can sometimes go into shock if their systems become overloaded with stress.
  
  
• What is in the water:  Many swimming pools are treated with chlorine and other chemicals.
  
  • A rabbit’s skin is very sensitive to chemicals. 
    
  • Similarly, the rabbit’s eyes will be sensitive to chlorine. 
    
  • And most of all, the rabbit’s sense of smell is much stronger than a human’s sense of smell.
     
  • Most rabbits will not tolerate swimming in a pool treated with chlorine. 
    
    
• Water in Rabbit’s Lungs:  The rabbit that is not comfortable in water is more likely to inhale some water, or breathe in some water. 
  
  • Imagine your rabbit breathing in some water, like a little kid in the pool, and choking… how stressful. 
    
  • Additionally, the water could get to the rabbit’s lungs and cause more serious problems.
    
    
• Water in Rabbit’s Ears: It’s very hard for a rabbit to get water out of its ears. 
  
  • Getting water in your rabbit’s ears can lead to ear infections. 
    

This video goes into further depth regarding the risks of rabbits swimming by expanding on the questions: Can Rabbits Swim? and Do Rabbits Enjoy Swimming In Water?

Frequently Asked Questions Related To Can Rabbits Swim

Do Rabbits Swim In The Wild?

Swamp Rabbits (Sylvilagus aquaticus) do swim in the wild. Other types of wild and domestic rabbits can swim, but typically do not choose to swim. 

Swimming is not a natural activity for rabbits, but rabbits are a prey animal that have evolved to hide and run in order to evade predators.  So, if a rabbit needs to swim a creek or stream to evade a predator, then it may do so. 

Do Rabbits Swim In The Ocean?

No, rabbits have no need to swim in the ocean.  Rabbits are averse to swimming.  They are built to blend in with their environment, hide and run fast to evade predators. 

In addition, rabbits are meticulous groomers and do not need to bathe in water. 

Can I Take My Bunny Swimming?

We strongly advise against taking your bunny swimming.  Soaking wet fur presents a real risk of hypothermia for a rabbit. Rabbits are usually stressed by having to swim and may go into shock. 

Additionally, a pool that is treated with chlorine presents many chemical sensitivity issues for rabbits. 

Hydrotherapy For Rabbits?

Hydrotherapy is a physical therapy technique for rabbits and other animals.  The low impact, low weight movements in water help keep body systems moving with less stress. 

Wonder if the life vest is Coast Guard approved?

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How Long Can Rabbits Swim?

Rabbits can not swim for very long.  When rabbit fur gets soaked with water it becomes heavy for the rabbit; like swimming with a coat on. 

Additionally, the water is typically much cooler than the rabbit’s body temperature of about 103 F.  A rabbit that swims for too long is at risk of its body temperature dropping and becoming hypothermic. 

Can I Put My Rabbit In Water To Cool Off?

No, we advise against putting your rabbit in water to cool off.  Being in water is very stressful for most rabbits.  If you need to cool off your rabbit, you can:

• Bring the rabbit into the house
• Set up a fan for the rabbit
• Ensure the rabbit is in the shade 

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Final Thoughts on Do Rabbits Like To Play In Water

For most rabbits, swimming and getting soaked to the skin with water is not a natural activity.  So swimming, getting splashed, or playing in the water is very stressful for most rabbits.

Rabbit fur is very dense and takes a long time to dry.  On a cool day, soaked fur can quickly lead to hypothermia. If blow drying your rabbit’s wet fur, then be very careful of their sensitive skin.

In addition, the chlorine used in many pools may be harmful to your rabbit’s skin, sense of smell, lungs, and ears. Remember that rabbits do not need to bathe! They are meticulously clean because they often groom themselves and each other. 

An elderly or sick rabbit that can no longer fully groom itself may benefit from some damp cloth wipe-downs and some extra brushing. If you are wanting to clean your rabbit, don’t stick it in water, simply read our post about keeping rabbit feet clean.