Splash! You hear a startled squeal and see your beloved pet rabbit struggling in the backyard pool. Do rabbits even know how to swim? Can their paws paddle effectively? Will that heavy fur coat drag them down? Your heart races as your mind floods with frightening questions. Getting wet is a nightmare for rabbits – learn why with this deep dive into swimming and rabbits. Discover which breeds hate it the most and how to rescue your rabbit if an underwater accident occurs. Dispel myths of aquatic rabbits once and for all. Whether in pools, ponds or your own tub, read on to protect your bunny from dangerous and terrifying brushes with watery disaster!

Can Rabbits Swim?

Rabbits are not natural swimmers like some other animals, but they do have some limited swimming abilities if necessary. In the wild, rabbits will generally avoid getting into water and do not voluntarily swim. However, if a rabbit happens to fall into a body of water, they can paddle and kick their legs to move through the water for short distances.

Rabbits are able to float and paddle their legs, which provides them with some basic swimming skills. Their fur coats are also designed to trap air, which helps keep them buoyant. However, they do not have webbed feet or other adaptations that would make them strong swimmers. While rabbits can swim to some degree if needed, it is not a natural behavior and they are not well-equipped for swimming long distances.

Some key facts about rabbits and swimming include:

Rabbits have some limited paddling and floating abilities but are not naturally adapted for swimming.
In the wild, rabbits will avoid entering bodies of water and do not swim voluntarily.
If a rabbit falls into water, it will kick its legs to paddle and keep its head above water.
A rabbit's fur helps trap air to aid in buoyancy, but it also gets very heavy when wet.
Rabbits tire quickly when swimming and can only swim for short periods.
Swimming causes rabbits stress and panic.
Rabbits have no natural instincts for swimming or aquatic survival skills.
Long-furred rabbit breeds have more difficulties swimming due to the weight of their wet fur.
Hot temperatures make swimming even more difficult and dangerous for rabbits.

While rabbits are not completely unable to swim, they should never be placed in water intentionally. Rabbits are not comfortable swimmers and forcing them to swim will cause extreme stress, exhaustion, and potential drowning. If your rabbit accidentally falls into water, get them out quickly as they will not be able to swim for long periods before tiring and needing assistance getting out.

Do Rabbits Like to Swim?

In general, rabbits do not like swimming at all. Unlike some other pets, rabbits are not natural swimmers and they are not built anatomically for swimming. Rabbits have an innate instinct to avoid getting wet or entering bodies of water. They do not gain any enjoyment from the sensation of swimming the way a dog, cat, or human might. Rabbits should never be intentionally placed into water or forced to swim for human amusement.

There are several reasons why rabbits generally hate swimming and do not enjoy water:

Heavy Fur Coat – A rabbit's dense, fluffy fur coat is designed to keep them warm and dry on land. When it gets soaked, it becomes very heavy and makes swimming difficult.
Stress Hormone – Rabbits produce a lot of cortisol, the stress hormone, when they get wet. Swimming triggers fear and panic.
Lack of Webbing – Rabbits have paws rather than webbed feet, so they are not adapted for efficient swimming.
High Energy Use – Swimming requires a lot of exertion for rabbits, causing exhaustion. Their lean muscle mass is for sprinting, not swimming.
Sensitive Skin – A rabbit's skin is very delicate and sensitive, so wet fur can cause skin irritation.
Low Body Fat – With minimal body fat, rabbits get chilled easily when wet compared to aquatic mammals.
Prey Animals – As prey animals, rabbits instinctively fear large bodies of water and avoid getting wet.
Inability to Hold Breath – Rabbits lack innate skills to hold their breath or close their nostrils when underwater.
Risk of Drowning – Tiring quickly, rabbits can easily drown if they do not get out of the water swiftly.

While all rabbits dislike swimming, long-furred breeds like Angoras hate it even more. The heavy, dense fur takes forever to dry and weighs them down in the water. Rabbits stressed by swimming may suffer dangerous health consequences like gastrointestinal stasis or hypothermia. Never force a rabbit to swim – it is cruel and potentially life threatening.

Why Do Rabbits Hate Getting Wet?

There are several key reasons why rabbits generally hate getting wet or being immersed in water:

Heavy Fur – A rabbit's fur coat is very dense and designed to keep them warm and dry on land. When the fur gets soaked, it becomes extremely heavy and makes it difficult for the rabbit to move or swim.
Risk of Hypothermia – Wet fur loses insulating qualities, causing the rabbit's body temperature to drop rapidly. This leads to dangerous hypothermia.
Skin Irritation – Rabbit skin is delicate and sensitive. Wet fur can cause painful chafing or skin dermatitis.
Stress Hormones – Getting wet triggers a rabbit's prey instincts, releasing stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline.
Exhaustion – Swimming is tiring and unnatural exercise for a rabbit's body. They can quickly fatigue and drown if unable to get out.
Fear – Rabbits are prey animals wired to avoid water. Swimming induces panic due to fear of drowning.
No Escape – Being trapped in water with no solid ground to run or jump to increases terror in rabbits.
Lack of Control – Rabbits feel unsafe without solid footing and the ability to escape potential threats.
No Fun – While some animals play in water, it does not provide enjoyment for rabbits. They do not have fun.
Saturated Fur – Once soaked, rabbit fur takes a very long time to fully dry out again. This leaves them wet and chilled for extended periods.

Understanding all the valid reasons rabbits hate swimming and getting wet should make it very clear that they should never be placed into water intentionally. Rabbits and water simply do not mix. If your rabbit does accidentally get wet, dry it immediately with towels and a blow dryer to prevent hypothermia. Never make a rabbit swim for your own amusement – it is extremely inhumane.

Which Breeds of Rabbits Like Water?

While there are no rabbit breeds that are truly aquatically inclined, certain breeds are slightly more tolerant of water than others. However, no domestic rabbit breed actually enjoys or seeks out swimming. The individual personality of a rabbit may make it less fearful of water, but its breed characteristics are not a reliable predictor for liking water.

Some rabbit breeds anecdotally considered most tolerable of water include:

Rex Rabbits – Their short, dense fur dries quickly.
Himalayan Rabbits – Also have shorter fur and are calmer.
Dutch Rabbits – A medium-sized breed less bothered by wet fur weight.
Silver Martens – Reported as skilled jumpers out of water.
Belgian Hares – Historic reports place them as swimmer-friendly.

However, all rabbit owners agree there can be significant individual personality differences. Just because a breed may have a reputation for water tolerance does not mean that your rabbit will like water. No breed standards actually call for comfort with swimming or moisture.

There are also a few specific breeds considered least fond of getting wet due to long, heavy fur coats:

Angora Rabbits – Extremely long, dense fur takes forever to dry.
Cashmere Lop Rabbits – Their fur is very fine and thick.
Jersey Wooly Rabbits – Very high maintenance coats.
Lionhead Rabbits – The wool mane soaks up a lot of water.

Again, even short-furred rabbits are highly averse to swimming or wet fur. Just because a Himalayan may handle water marginally better than an Angora does not make them fond of swimming. No rabbit breed should ever be subjected to water intentionally – they uniformly dislike swimming.

How Can I Tell if My Rabbit Enjoys Swimming?

The simple truth is that your rabbit does not enjoy swimming – no domestic rabbit does. Rabbits have no natural instincts or desires to swim or play in water. You should never put your rabbit in water or attempt to get it to swim for your amusement. This is extremely dangerous and stressful for a rabbit.

However, some warning signs your rabbit is particularly fearful or at risk if exposed to water include:

Splaying legs stiffly when you wipe them with a damp cloth
Flailing when placed in shallow bath water for hygiene purposes
Refusing to hop over puddles in its exercise area
Bolting rapidly away if sprayed with a hose or sprinkler
Nipping or scratching if you touch its feet with wet hands
Shaking off vigorously if wet by dew or rain
Avoiding walking near dishes of water or under eaves dripping rainwater
Vocalizing in distress if another rabbit or animal gets them wet
Seeking out dry hiding places if their housing gets damp
Digging or scratching frantically if put on a wet surface

The more averse your rabbit is to water normally, the more traumatic and risky swimming will be. Never force your rabbit to swim – it will not have fun. Rabbits universally hate getting wet or being immersed in water. Respect your rabbit's boundaries and keep them safely away from bodies of water and moisture hazards to avoid accidents and trauma.

My Rabbit Accidentally Fell into the Water

If your rabbit accidentally falls into water, it is imperative that you get them out immediately. Rabbits are not able to swim for long periods of time and will quickly become exhausted if they cannot get out of the water. Panic and fear will also set in rapidly the longer they are trapped in water.

If your rabbit falls into a pool, pond, tub or other water:

Stay calm – your panic will further frighten your rabbit.
Call the rabbit's name in a reassuring tone.
Remove them swiftly but gently – do not scruff the wet fur.
Check breathing and give rescue breaths/CPR if needed.
Assess body temperature – are they hypothermic?
Begin emergency rewarming if cold – towels, blow dryer, heated pads.
Consult a rabbit-savvy vet immediately.
Monitor closely for hypothermia, pneumonia and GI stasis in the next 24 hours.
Allow several weeks before reexposing to water again to avoid re-traumatizing.

While it may be tempting to try letting them swim back out, this is usually impossible. Retrieve your rabbit from the water yourself quickly and get emergency warming and medical care. Even a brief accidental submersion is extremely dangerous for rabbits. With rapid action, your wet rabbit can recover, but swimming itself should always be prevented in rabbits.

My Rabbit Fell into a Garden Pond

If your rabbit accidentally falls into a garden pond, it is crucial to get them out of the water as swiftly as possible. Rabbits tire rapidly when swimming and can drown in just minutes if trapped in a pond.

If you see your rabbit fall into a pond or swimming pool, immediately follow these steps:

Get into the water and lift them out. Do not expect them to swim out alone.
Remove the rabbit gently but rapidly from the water. Avoid scruffing wet fur.
Wrap the soaked rabbit in dry towels and take them indoors. Blow dry the fur with a towel over top.
Check body temperature with a rectal thermometer. Hypothermia risk is high.
Begin rewarming measures if the rabbit is cold – heating pads, hot water bottles.
Contact an exotics vet for advice and monitoring. Pneumonia is a top concern.
Expect the rabbit to be stressed up to a month later around bodies of water. Do not re-traumatize them.
Drain the pond fully or cover it securely so the accident cannot recur before the rabbit has recovered mentally.

Rabbits are highly prone to hypothermia when wet and will aspirate water without skills to block nostrils underwater. Never assume they can self-rescue from a pond. Expect the accident to impact your rabbit's health and comfort around water long-term. Management changes may be needed to prevent any repeats.

My Rabbit Fell into a Swimming Pool

Having a pet rabbit fall into a backyard swimming pool is extremely dangerous. However, with immediate action you can still save your rabbit's life. Time is critical, so prompt response is vital.

If your rabbit falls into a pool, follow these emergency steps:

Yell for someone to call your vet and be ready with towels.
Jump into the pool and lift the rabbit out gently but swiftly. Avoid scruffing wet fur.
Wrap them in dry absorbent towels immediately and bring indoors.
Blow dry the soaked fur with moderate heat and towel protection.
Take the rabbit's temperature rectally. Below 99F is hypothermic.
Begin active rewarming if hypothermic – heat packs, hot water bottles.
Rush the rabbit to the vet clinic for evaluation and monitoring.
Prevent repeat accidents – install fencing, securely cover the pool when not in use.
Allow the rabbit to recover before re-exposing to water sights and sounds.

Even healthy rabbits tire quickly when swimming and can drown in less than 5 minutes. Never wait and assume the rabbit can get out – take immediate steps to remove them and initiate emergency rewarming. With fast response, even a rabbit that aspirates water and goes hypothermic can recover fully. Just get them out of the water without delay.

My Rabbit Fell into the Sink, Toilet or Bathtub

If your rabbit takes an accidental plunge into a water-filled sink, toilet or bathtub, you will need to act quickly to get them out and prevent life-threatening consequences like hypothermia. Even small volumes of water can be deadly hazards to rabbits.

If your rabbit falls into a sink, tub or toilet basin, follow these steps:

Retrieve the rabbit promptly but calmly. Never scruff or tug wet fur.
Drain the water as you lift them out if possible.
Wrap the wet rabbit in dry towels and rub briskly to absorb moisture.
Blow dry with low heat while massaging skin through the towels.
Take rectal temperature and check for hypothermia.
Get emergency veterinary advice – pneumonia is a high risk.
Monitor appetite and bowel function closely for the next 48 hours.
Secure toilet lids and keep bathroom doors latched so the accident cannot recur.
Allow the rabbit to recover fully before any future baths or exposure to running water.

While the small volume may seem harmless, remember rabbits are prone to hypothermia when wet and they are unlikely to be able to climb out alone. Don't wait for them to self-rescue – immediately retrieve your rabbit and get them warm and dry following an accidental water submersion. Be proactive preventing any repeats.

Conclusion

In summary, while rabbits do have some limited innate ability to swim by paddling and kicking, they are not built anatomically for efficient swimming. Rabbits uniformly dislike and avoid water due to heavy fur, sensitive skin, high risk of hypothermia, and prey animal instincts. No breeds of rabbit actually enjoy or seek out swimming – they should never be intentionally placed in water. If your rabbit accidentally falls into a body of water, prompt action is critical to lift them out and initiate rewarming before hypothermia, pneumonia or drowning can occur. With knowledge of rabbits' aversion to water, you can prevent traumatic and life-threatening water accidents.

Do Pet Rabbits Like to Swim?