Healthcare in
Rabbits for a
Healthy Hopper!
Housing
Rabbits should be housed in a secure hutch, preferably with access to the outside during the
daytime. They cannot withstand extremes of weather, so if kept outside, they should be
brought into a warm, dry, sheltered area at night and in very wet or cold weather.
The Rabbit Welfare Association recommends a minimum hutch size of 6’x2’x2’ which allows
rabbits some room to move, stand on their legs and enough space for food, toilet and
sleeping areas to be kept apart. This is an average guide and should be increased for larger
breeds.
The base of the hutch should be covered with newspaper or wood shavings and a sleeping
area, for example hay or shredded paper, should be provided. The hutch should be
completely cleaned out 1-2 times per week minimum to prevent build up of urine and faecal
material as this can cause respiratory disease and skin problems. The toileting area would
benefit from daily cleaning.
Exercise is important, a large run is best with rabbit toys for running, jumping, stretching
and foraging with exploration is great. Some sunlight is important too.
Neutering
Apart from preventing disease of the genital tract where cancer is very common in
unsprayed does, neutering is very important in controlling the rabbit population. Rabbits
kept in multi-sex groups must be neutered in order to prevent unwanted reproduction.
Males can be castrated from 12 weeks. Females can be spayed from 16 weeks over 1kg.
Vaccination
The two main diseases prevalent in the area at present are Myxomatosis and Viral
Haemorrhagic Disease (VHD). Apart from being highly contagious between rabbits, they are
also passed on by flies, insects and birds, so even a single housed rabbit can be affected.
These diseases are almost always fatal, so it is very important to vaccinate in order to
prevent.
Combined VHD and Myxomatosis vaccines can be given from 6 weeks of age every
12months. This also gives a chance for the vet to give your rabbit a general health check,
thereby picking up any other early signs of disease.
Healthcare
E. Cuniculi is a parasite which can cause neurological disease amongst other problems (eyes,
kidneys and digestive system). It is caused by a tiny organism, which is passed in the urine
of infected animals, therefore being highly contagious to other in-contact rabbits. Clinical
signs can be quite distressing, including a head tilt, circling and falling over, and often the
kidneys become severely damaged. This disease can be fatal because of the severity of
damage to the internal organs.
We can advise on which wormer to use before getting a new rabbit or introducing a new
rabbit to the household.
Flystrike is all too commonly seen amongst the rabbit population. It occurs when flies are
attracted to wounds or faecal material on the rabbit. The flies lay eggs, which hatch into
maggots, which in turn cause severe damage to the skin and deeper tissues. Although
rabbits can recover after appropriate medical care, the damage is often so great that it is
fatal.
It is therefore vital that the rabbit is checked at least twice daily for any wounds or build up
of faecal material around the anus. Excess faeces must be cleaned carefully and any
wounds should be presented to your veterinarian for appropriate treatment. Summer is a
high risk period and so mucky rabbits may even need to stay indoors during this time.
REARGUARD is a preventative medicine that we can supply, which helps to deter flies. This
is especially recommended during the summer months.
Fleas can also be contracted by rabbits. Ask us how this can be treated and prevented.
Feeding
Diet is extremely important in rabbits. Rabbit’s teeth grow continuously throughout life and
in order to prevent overgrowth, they must be constantly worn down. Pellets provide a tasty
and fairly nutritious food option ensuring they receive adequate amounts of vitamins and
minerals. High fibre foods are essential, such as good quality long cut hay, as they cause the
rabbit to chew in a way that grinds the teeth down properly. A high fibre diet, including
grass, is also very important for the digestive system. Rabbits also enjoy a variety of
vegetables and small amount of fruits. Herbs are also popular, such as parsley, coriander
and basil. However, high calcium foods should be avoided, such as clover, kale, alfalfa hay
and carrot tops.
In order to avoid selective eating, a pellet brand should be chosen whereby all the pellets
look the same. Although this appears very bland to us, at least we are confident the rabbit
is taking in all the essential nutrients. Hay and grass should make up the main component
of the diet, whilst pellets should contribute to a small proportion (10-20%) of the daily diet,
in order to avoid obesity and subsequent health problems.
If you need to make changes to your rabbit’s diet, do so over 2-4 weeks, never make sudden
changes. Introduce new green foods gradually in small amounts, work out what suits your
bunny by checking for normal droppings.
Some ideas for greens to feed
Vegetables:
Fruit, max 2 tablespoons per day:
Asparagus
Broccoli
Brussel sprouts
Cabbage
Carrots, but not too many as sugary
Cauliflower
Celeriac
Celery
Chicory
Courgette
Cucumber
Fennel
Green beans
Parsnip
Peas in a pod
Peppers
Pumpkin
Swede
Turnip
Rocket
Spinach
Watercress
Herbs flowers and Weeds:
Basil
Coriander
Dill
Mint
Parsley
Rosemary
Calendula
Chamomile
Chickweed
Coltsfoot
Dandelion
Mallow
Apple, not pips
Apricot
Banana
Blackeberries
Grapes
Kiwi
Mango
Melon
Oranges, no peel
Peaches
Pears, not pips
Pineapple
Plum
Raspberries
Strawberries
Tomatoes, no leaves
Poisonous Plants
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All plants from bulbs, including bulbs
Amaryllis
Bindweed
Bracken
Bryony
Deadly nightshade
Elder
Foxglove
Hellebores
Lily of the valley
Lupin
Oak leaves
Poppies
Privet
Ragwort
Rhubard leaves
Yew