Below is a list of health care tips to follow in order to keep your bunny happy and healthy.
Starting at the bunnies nose, check for any discharge or wetness. Sometimes bunnies can get wetness around their nose, usually in hot weather. Generally this is nothing to be overly concerned about so long as its not persistent or coloured. Any discharge whether it be white or otherwise coloured should be taken seriously. Common health conditions such as respiratory infections start with nasal discharge.
Next check their mouth. Some bunnies may not like this and it may take some time to get them used to it. Its very important to check the teeth condition. You should be looking out for any signs of tooth damage or food stuck between the upper and lower teeth. Bunnies can have white to slightly stained yellow teeth. This is totally normal. Ensure your bunnies teeth aren't overgrown or deformed.
You should also be checking for any strong smells coming from the bunnies mouth. This could indicate tooth decay, bacterial infection or abscess.
Ensure you feel along the jawline for any lumps or bumps which could also be a sign of abscess or even a broken bone. Any issues what so ever should be taken very seriously. If rabbits have any discomfort and stop eating even for a short period of time, they can enter stasis which can be life threatening.
Eyes should be free of any discolouration, discharge or swelling. Check for clouding or any foreign objects that may be present. Any issues what so ever need to be classed as an emergency.
Eyes should always be bright and clear.
Ears should be clean and free from wax. Keep an eye out for scratches that may become infected or any smells. Ears can get damaged easily in squabbles between bonded rabbits or even when playing, take extra care with lop eared bunnies as they can pick up all sorts of injuries.
This may take some bunnies a little practice as not all are accepting of their feet being touched but it is very important they get used to it. Bunnies claws need trimming quite regularly and care should be taken not to cut the quick inside. Its best left to a professional or someone highly experienced. Claws should not be broken or misshapen in any way. Its a good idea to have a good feel around the feet to check for any lumps, bumps or swellings. Bunnies legs are very fragile and injury can be caused in the most unexpected ways. If you have a Rex breed, they are known for having sore hocks. This is down to the way their fur sits compared to other breeds of rabbit. It can be very painful for the bunnies so vet treatment may be needed.
Carefully inspect the rabbits skin checking for signs of mites and lice. Have a good scan around and also check for ticks. Skin should be in good condition with no dandruff or flakes. Ensure you also check for injuries that may be hidden under the fur.
Bunnies coat condition is a large indicator to their overall health. Their fur should be free from grease and dirt. Bunnies are very clean animals and always take good care of themselves, any rabbit neglecting their fur may be suffering from an illness or could be too overweight to clean properly. Their fur should be springy and soft with no knots. If you have a long haired breed extra care should be taken to ensure any knots are removed and ensure there is no debris stuck in the fur.
Bunnies genitals and bottom should be clean at all times. Check for any signs of faeces stuck to their bottoms, issues could arise if rabbits are left with dirty bottoms such as fly strike. If your rabbit has signs of loose stool, take a look at their diet first. Ensure they are eating an 80% diet of hay and not too much pellets or vegetables. If problems are persistent, vet advice is strongly recommended. Overweight rabbits will struggle to clean themselves so caution should be taken with their diet.
If you have a male bunny that isn't neutered, ensure you check their testicles for any signs of soreness or injury especially if living with another rabbit. There should be no swelling or discharge present and both genders genitals should be tucked away inside the vent. Rabbits have small scent glands either side of their vents which can get filled with debris. Most bunnies clean this themselves but some need a little help. Warm water and cotton wool usually does the trick. Do not use any chemicals.
Bunnies require plenty of enrichment to keep them happy and healthy. You should provide natural items such as willow or apple branches for them to chew on. This will help keep their teeth in good condition as well as encouraging natural behaviour.
Tunnelling and digging is natural to all rabbits, some may enjoy it more than others but all will do it at some point in their life. You could provide a dig box filled with shredded paper (providing they don't eat any) or topsoil.
You can buy tunnels online for bunnies to run through or you could make your own. Some people use old car tyres (cleaned), dig half into the ground and cover the top half with turf. This creates a nice tunnel which is weatherproof. Large drainage pipes (unused) also work well.
Many bunnies love having somewhere higher up to jump onto. Often house rabbits are found in all sorts of places even some managing to climb onto cupboards! Providing platforms at safe heights satisfies their urge to get up high. Ensure surfaces aren't slippy. Carpet tiles work well to provide grip.
Exercise is a huge part of a rabbits well being. There are many ways that you can provide this. Rabbits should have plenty of space to move around and explore. Providing a hutch is simply not enough for these animals. They should have a large run or pen attached which should be secure so they can't dig out or foxes can't dig in. Equally pens should have a roof so bunnies can't jump out or other animals can't get in.
Bunnies are sensitive animals so care is needed when choosing a suitable substrate for them to live on.
We here use wood shavings and hay. But there are lots of other options out there.
Blankets - some bunnies who are litter trained do well with blankets and towels. Providing they don't chew them.
Wood shavings - a common good choice for majority of rabbits but care should be given to provide it dust extracted. Some rabbits are more sensitive so keep an eye out for sneezing. Saw dust is very dangerous and should not be used under any circumstances.
Shredded paper - another good warm bedding choice for most bunnies. Again providing they don't eat any.
Straw - a good choice for outdoor bunnies as provides extra warmth during colder days.
It is recommended that you get your rabbits neutered to not only prevent unwanted litters but also prolong the life of your bunny.
Neutering males can be done as soon as the testicles have decended which is usually around 4 months old. Females should be done no younger than 6 months old.
Recovery in males is usually much quicker than females but both genders benefit greatly from being neutered. It helps prevent and remove the risk of certain cancers and reduces the chance of unwanted behaviour such as aggression, dominance, urine spraying and cage protection.
If you have a pair of rabbits, both should be neutered when of a suitable age. Neutering just one can cause a number of issues with dominance and frustration.
Rabbits are hugely social animals and thrive of social interaction with their own kind. Pairs and trios of bunnies are ideal but care should be taken when choosing the right match.
If looking for a pair of bunnies, ideally a male and female get along much better. But 2 females and 2 males can live together providing they are littermates and neutered as soon as possible.
Ideally if you want a trio, you should have 2 females to 1 male. Again all neutered.
Some rabbits do prefer to be alone, just like people they're all different and some just simply like their own company.
Copyright © 2021 Lauren's Bouncing Bunnies - All Rights Reserved.
Powered by GoDaddy Website Builder