Which method is NOT effective for cooling a rabbit in hot weather?

Feeding rabbits extra hay during hot weather is not an effective method for cooling them down. In fact, providing additional hay can lead to increased body heat as it takes longer for rabbits to digest fibrous materials like hay, resulting in internal heat generation. Instead, it is more beneficial to focus on methods that directly mitigate heat stress, such as ensuring adequate shade, using ice or frozen items to lower the ambient temperature, and allowing them to seek out cooler areas.

Rubbing their ears with ice, shading the hutch, and adding frozen water bottles create immediate cooling effects, which help rabbits maintain a comfortable body temperature in hot conditions. These techniques allow for external cooling and promote a more favorable environment for the rabbit's health and well-being.