Taking your rabbit's temperature: how to tell if it has a fever
Published by Planète Pets · managing editor: Clément Lacaille · how our guides are written
Unlike a dog or cat, a rabbit masks pain and illness extremely well — a reflex inherited from its wild prey ancestors. Body temperature is then one of the most reliable objective signals for catching a problem before it turns critical. A study by Rooney and colleagues, published in 2014 in BMC Research Notes, found a frequent gap between the illness signs perceived by British rabbit owners and the animal's actual clinical state, arguing for more systematic monitoring at home (see the study). Everyday health pointers are covered in our rabbit care and grooming section.
Contents · 4 sections
What is a rabbit's normal temperature?
It sits between 38.5 and 40°C, a little higher than a dog's or cat's. Below 38°C is hypothermia; above 40.5°C, fever or hyperthermia — both situations calling for prompt veterinary advice, especially combined with a refusal to eat.
Ear, rectal or infrared thermometer: which to choose?
A digital rectal thermometer remains the most reliable method, but it stresses a fragile animal and needs a helper to hold it without squeezing. A veterinary ear thermometer designed for small animals is faster and less invasive, provided it's properly positioned in the canal. A no-contact infrared thermometer, appealing for its simplicity, remains the least precise of the three and mainly serves as a first check before a more reliable reading.
How to do it without adding stress
Wrap the rabbit in a towel to limit movement, measure at a fixed time when possible so readings stay comparable, and always lubricate the rectal tip before insertion. A single isolated reading has little value: it's the trend over a few hours, combined with other signs (appetite, droppings, posture), that guides diagnosis — our article on GI stasis warning signs details the symptoms to cross-check.
- 38.5 to 40°C: normal range for a resting adult rabbit.
- Digital rectal thermometer: the accuracy benchmark, best done with two people.
- Never a single isolated reading: always cross-check against appetite and behaviour.
- Confirmed fever or hypothermia: see a vet without delay, especially if the rabbit has stopped eating.
A well-stocked first aid kit makes these measurements easier under stress; see what to include in our guide to the rabbit first aid kit.
Frequently asked questions
Can you estimate fever by touching the ears?
No, ear temperature mostly varies with vasodilation linked to thermoregulation, not fever: it isn't a reliable indicator.
How often should a healthy rabbit's temperature be checked?
No routine measurement is needed for a rabbit in good health; reserve it for situations of doubt: lethargy, refusal to eat, hunched posture.
Should a feverish rabbit be warmed or cooled while waiting for the vet?
Neither without professional advice: the wrong intervention can worsen things. Keep it calm in a temperate environment while awaiting the consultation.
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This guide is part of Planète Pets’s Rabbits universe. Our advice is general in nature: for any health concern, your veterinarian remains the only reference.
