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Rabbit

The rabbit essentials from our vets in Shropshire

Environment

Whether your rabbits live indoors or outside, provide them with an enclosure that has separate toilet and sleeping areas, as well as somewhere they can run around, burrow and dig, as this helps keep them happy. Rabbits are very active so it’s really important they have permanent access to a large exercise area securely attached to where they live.

Diet

A complete diet for fibrevores (animals like rabbits - that need fibre as the main part of their diet) should provide for their dental, digestive, and emotional health. Good quality hay and/or grass, separate from their bedding, should make up the majority of your rabbit's diet and should be available at all times.

A small daily amount of rabbit nuggets, healthy fibre-rich snacks to promote ‘foraging’ behaviour, some fresh vegetables like broccoli and cabbage and access to clean water will keep your rabbit healthy. If this diet is different to the way you currently feed your rabbits, introduce new food gradually over a few days to avoid stomach upsets.

Behaviour

When rabbits become bored, they may exhibit unwanted behaviours such as plucking their own fur or biting the bars of their home. Rabbits’ behaviour is very much linked to their emotional wellbeing, so keeping pet rabbits occupied is very important to help prevent them developing behavioural problems.

Foraging for hay, grasses and herbs is what keeps rabbits busy and occupied in the wild, and this is no different for domestic pets. Hiding healthy food items such as carrot and apple etc., as well as occasional greens, around the living enclosure encourages rabbits to work a bit harder for their food, keeping them occupied and exercised. Toys can also be used as a way to keep them entertained, they also love to hide in tunnels or upturned boxes and even hanging baskets for hay.

Company

Rabbits are social creatures and can suffer from loneliness and boredom if they live alone. If you are thinking about getting a rabbit, get a pair of bunnies that are already friends. The best combination is a neutered male and a neutered female to ensure your bunnies get along and won’t produce unwanted litters. Animal rehoming centres are good places to visit, as many have bonded pairs of rabbits who are already vaccinated and neutered.

If you already have a rabbit, spend more time interacting with your them. Start slowly, handling your rabbit for five minutes at first and then building up the time until they are perfectly relaxed about being handled. This time spent interacting with your rabbit helps to stop them being bored and also prepares them for any visits they may have to make to the vet.

Consider introducing a second neutered rabbit but get advice from a pet care specialist on how to do this to avoid fighting.

Health

Every day, your rabbit should be checked to ensure they are well. Eyes should not be runny, red or swollen; ears should not contain any discharge. Are they as bright and active as usual? Look at their teeth to make sure they are not overgrown as this can affect their eating. A good supply of hay helps to keep the rabbit's ever-growing teeth in check. Rabbits need exercise to stop them becoming overweight, if they do not exercise enough, they can become obese. Check your rabbit's bottom regularly to ensure they are clean and dry. Check that their nails aren’t becoming overgrown and make sure their skin and fur isn’t patchy, red or scaly.

If you have any concerns about your rabbit's health, consult your vet straight away.

You should also neuter and vaccinate your pets. Neutering prevents uterine cancer, a common health problem in older female rabbits. Vaccination protects against Myxomatosis and Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease (RHD), two serious and life-threatening rabbit diseases.