Diet

Providing your rabbit with optimum nutrition will go a long way toward ensuring a long and healthy life. Mal-nutritional disorder is the most common problem seen in rabbits and can lead to serious health consequences.

Fresh grass hay, such as Timothy, should form the core of their diet. Greens may be offered cleaned and fresh (such as broccoli, cabbage and lettuce). Legume hays, such as alfalfa, have a high fat content and can contribute to obesity. Feed fruits such as strawberry, carrot or dried fruits in moderation.

Avoid starch food (including grains) as they can lead to obesity or gastroenteritis. Pelleted rabbit chow is convenient but is not ideal as this is a concentrated source of calories and can predispose to obesity and other gastrointestinal problems.

It is natural for a rabbit to eat the first pass stools or cecotrophs. These fecal balls are essentially fibrous food that will be ingested and utilized. Second pass stools (true feces) are usually not eaten.

Clean fresh water is to be available at all times. Rabbits will do well with sipper tube bottles.

Housing

A solid, easy to clean cage should be big enough to provide an area to eat/drink, a private enclosure to hide and sleep and enough open space for exercise. House rabbits may be given access to roam the house if cage space is limited, but remember to rabbit proof the area. It should be well ventilated and free from direct sunlight and drafts.

Shredded papers make great cage bedding and burrowing material. This should be replaced daily. Rabbits will use a litter box if trained to one and this should be kept away from the food and water area of the cage. Use shredded paper as filler.

Provide safe chewable toys to keep them occupied and away from the food. Paper roll tubes make inexpensive toys.

When caged outdoors it is important to keep the hutch out of weather extremes and safe from predators. Make sure that the edges around the cage are kept free of weeds and debris. Change the hutch flooring daily to prevent buildup of feces that would promote flies. Maggot infestation can be a common and lethal consequence of a rabbit housed outdoors in unsanitary conditions. Again, it is important that the rabbit have access to a large enough exercise area.

Rabbits are social and usually do well with other rabbits and even other animals. NEVER leave a rabbit alone with a dog or cat and supervise them closely. Rabbits raised with puppies or kittens usually make great companions for each other.

Housing male and female rabbits together is recommended only if they are spayed and neutered. Aside from the frequent and often large litter of bunnies you can expect, they can be aggressive with each other leading to injury.

Handling

As with any animal, gentle but firm handling is required to minimize risk of injury both to you and your pet. Never surprise your bunny! Let him know of your presence before attempting to pick him up. Place one hand around the hind-end to firmly support the hind legs and lower back. Then cradle the body with the other arm. Rabbits often prefer to be held close to your body with the head ‘hidden’ in the crook of your elbow. When placing a rabbit in a cage, always place the hind-end in first with the head facing forward. Let the front of the body go first.

NEVER pick a rabbit up by the ears or legs! Teach children the proper way to handle rabbits as serious injury to your child, as well as the bunny, may result.

If you need to restrain your rabbit for any reason, it is helpful to wrap him in a towel to prevent him from suddenly kicking. If a rabbit is allowed to kick out with their hind-legs, there is a substantial risk of back injury that is irreversible!

Spaying and neutering

Neutering male rabbits can help prevent aggressive behaviors and spraying activity. Spaying female rabbits prevents female aggression and also the occurrence of a malignant cancer of the reproductive tract. Please call the clinic if you have any questions regarding spaying or neutering your rabbit.

Health concerns

As with all other animals, providing the best possible nutrition, clean and sanitary housing, and attention will go a long way in ensuring that your rabbit has a long and healthy life. Monitor appetite and water intake, hair coat and stools so that you will be able to notice any changes that may indicate disease.

The incisor teeth of rabbits continually grow and normally will wear when eating and chewing. Some rabbits may suffer from malocclusion, where the teeth become misaligned and do not wear properly. Rabbits with malocclusion will drool and drop food. Over time they will lose weight and become ill. The teeth should be checked on a regular basis and if problems are suspected, they should be trimmed down, preferably with a dremmel tool. Factors that may lead to malocclusion are genetics, feeding solely pelleted chow, or destructive chewing usually out of boredom or frustration.

Obesity is common in rabbits as it is in all pets. Obesity can predispose your rabbit to other health concerns, such as gastroenteritis and osteoarthritis. Pellet chow and high starch foods, together with a lack of exercise are the main factors. Please prevent this condition by feeding the correct foods and allowing plenty of exercise.

Hairballs are common because rabbits groom but a rabbit with gastrointestinal disease can form large, dehydrated hairballs in their stomachs which can be lethal. Providing fresh, high quality hay should prevent this from happening. Avoid using laxatives as they may only contribute to the original problem. Hairballs may need to be removed surgically.

Soft stools or diarrhea, loss of appetite and body weight may all be signs of serious disease. Please schedule a veterinary visit as soon as possible and provide a sample of stool and urine if possible.

Avoid using (or insisting on using) antibiotics unless there is a rational medical need for them. Antibiotics can cause a fatal toxic gastroenteritis.

Hair loss may be due to excessive barbering, as when a rabbit is bored or frustrated, or from external parasites such as mites or lice. If you are suspicious, use a toothbrush or soft comb and make a dozen or more brush strokes. Collect the material from brushing and place in a baggie. Bring this in to the clinic and we can look for the presence of parasites.

Maggots are a serious problem in rabbits housed in outside hutches, especially in warmer months. Maggots are fly larvae that have hatched from eggs laid within the rabbits fur or into wounds (cuts, abrasions). They feed on dead or inflamed tissues and release toxic products that make the rabbit very sick. Please call the clinic if you think your rabbit has maggots. Prevent this by providing a sanitary hutch and by inspecting your rabbit often for problems.

Please feel free to call our clinic if you have any problems or concerns.

We recommend that you purchase a good quality reference book for the care of rabbits!