This entry was posted on 2020-12-15 by Pet Heaven Store.

Rabbits are sociable, loving, sweet and curious animals that can make great pets. But as with all other animals, they require daily time and attention. Be aware that they are very sensitive animals and are actually best suited to teenagers and adults. And although sometimes thought of as a popular children's pet, children should only look after rabbits under strict parental supervision.

Rabbits are by nature prey animals and in the wild spend a lot of time avoiding predators. Any sign of weakness or injury will make them an easy target. For this reason it can sometimes be really difficult to interpret their unique body language or communication, as they are hardwired to mask disease, illness and injury.Even the most dedicated owner can easily miss early signs of sickness and only discover something is wrong, when their bunny is critically ill.

Remember that you need to choose a veterinarian carefully when getting a rabbit, as small pets require very different treatment to dogs and cats, and that not all veterinary practices are equipped to treat small pets. For this reason investigate and choose a rabbit savvy vet before you actually need them to treat your sick bunny.

The most important way to keep a bunny healthy is to be proactive and research the environment they need to live in well. In other words pay special attention to rabbit management such as food, water, accommodation, bedding, environmental enrichment and health. Preventative health is by far the best way to keep your bunny healthy, happy and thriving.

Eating

All rabbits should eat, forage and graze pretty much all the time, unless they are sleeping. This constant food intake ensures that their specialised gastrointestinal tract keeps running smoothly. Remember that your bunny needs a constant source of good quality, fresh hay! If you notice that your bunny is eating less than their usual feed intake, you need to contact your vet immediately as gut stasis is a very serious rabbit disease that can be fatal.

Another reason rabbits need to eat good quality hay is because it’s their source of fiber. As they have teeth that keep erupting, they need fiber to properly grind and wear their teeth down. If you notice irregular chewing or only chewing on one side, dropping food, weight loss, drooling or and facial swelling there may be a problem with your rabbits teeth and you need to seek immediate veterinary attention.

Pay special attention to their poop!

With their constant need to eat there should be a constant amount of poop. And it is important to pay attention to their faeces as it allows you to monitor their gut health. Rabbits digest their food in a very unique way which means that they form 2 types of faeces. The first type forms as a small round ball which is uniform in shape and size and is mostly referred to as ‘fecal pellets’ .
The second type forms as a glossy, grape like cluster and is called a cecotrope. Cecotropes are made up from nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, amino acids and fatty acids for example, that were not absorbed the first time after ingestion into the gut. The rabbit does however not let any nutrients go to waste and cecotropes are re-ingested directly from the anus. Always be on the lookout for any abnormalities regarding your bunny’s faeces such as no or less than normal faeces, uneaten or excessively produced cecotropes and soft faeces or any diarrhoea.

Changes in behaviour

Healthy rabbits are active and alert rabbits! They need to be given plenty of time outside (in a safe, bunny proof environment) to forage, dig and play. This will keep them fit & healthy. Although some bunnies naturally tend to become a little less active as they get older, a sudden change or decrease in activity level, a tendency to become withdrawn or an increase in aggressiveness is always a cause for concern. Also pay attention to any changes in vocalisation as this can also be a sign that something is wrong. Teeth grinding for example, is an indication of pain and is worrisome. Remember to check your rabbit every day to see if there might be any changes in behaviour or activity.

Changes in posture or gait

As mentioned before, rabbits are prey animals and therefore need to be agile, sure-footed and fast little animals. Any changes in their ability to move (gait) or posture should immediately be noted with concern. Slow movement, staggering or stumbling could be as a result of injury or a neurological issue that always needs to be checked. If your bunny is showing a more than normally hunched back posture, it can be an indication of gut pain and again needs to be checked especially if there are any changes in appetite.

Take note of their fur!

Rabbits only tend to have dull coats or loose fur when there is a problem. It is always a good idea to groom your bunny regularly to allow you to examine them daily. If you notice any bald patches, excessive skin flakes, crusting, excessive grooming or scratching, your rabbit might have an external parasite problem caused by mites or lice that needs to be treated. These can however also be an indication of another underlying issue such as hormonal imbalance or an underlying digestive issue. Remember as with other pets, the skin is the biggest organ in the body and can be the first indication that there may be a problem starting and needs to be investigated.

Watch your rabbit’s breathing!

Rabbits are obligate nasal breathers which means that they breathe through their noses and not their mouths. This allows them to eat while breathing and also quickly detect scents from predators. They breathe much faster than humans and have a respiratory rate of 30 - 60 breaths per minute. Their respiratory system is especially delicate which can make them prone to upper respiratory tract infections. Commonly one hears of the term ‘Snuffles’ which refers to watery eyes, a runny nose and sneezing, similar to a cold. Although it may seem like a minor problem initially, this can often be the start of a bad infection and needs to be addressed immediately.

Being obligate nasal breathers also means that if your bunny is breathing through its mouth there is definite cause for concern. It may be a sign of an obstruction or dental disease and always needs veterinary attention. Similarly, if your rabbit is breathing too quickly or too slowly, or making any strange noises when it breathes, you need to seek veterinary advice.

The take home message for owning a rabbit is that they are fantastic, gentle and loving pets, but need proper care, as they are delicate creatures. You need to pay special attention to management and be proactive in preventing any health issues. You always need to err on the side of caution and rather be safe than sorry, as rabbits don’t give you many clues that they are unwell until they are truly very sick! So even the smallest change in your bunnies daily routine needs to be noted. If you have any concerns rather contact your rabbit savvy veterinarian sooner than later!