Rabbits are hopping into the hearts of pet lovers, winning the title of Britain’s third most popular pet! Want to keep your bunny fit and fabulous? Here’s what to do: These friendly, inquisitive, and intelligent furballs need a bit of TLC—regular handling and cuddles, a balanced diet, cosy digs, and some preventive healthcare. Give them what they need, and they’ll be bouncing through life like the adorable little athletes they are!
Housing Options
- Outdoors: Let your bunnies live in style with a spacious outdoor hutch! Just make sure they’ve got enough room to stretch out, be able to stand tall on their hind legs, and bounce around—three or four hops in any direction should do the trick!
- Indoors: If your bunnies are more of the house pet type, they can live happily indoors with plenty of room to zoom, however, don’t forget to let them have some much needed sunbathing time outside! Rabbits can be litter-trained too—its easier if they’ve been neutered, making life a bit more simple for everyone!
- Safety: Make sure your home is rabbit-proof, the carpet and those tempting electrical cords look like chew toys to your little mischief-makers!
- Social Needs: Remember, bunnies are social butterflies! They thrive on companionship, so pair them up with a buddy (neutered is best) for a hoppy happy life!
Nutrition alert:
In the wild, rabbits eat only grass! So, if you want your fluffy friend to thrive, serve up high-quality hay or fresh grass! Serve that hay in a fancy raised rack, because let’s face it, who wants to munch on hay mixed with bedding? This fibre filled diet is crucial for their gut health and keeps those ever-growing teeth in check. To make sure your rabbit is getting all the vitamins and minerals they need, add in a little dry food! Go for complete pellets, so they can’t pick out the yummiest bits and ditch the healthy nuggets. And remember, sugary treats are a no-go—let’s keep that waistline in check and avoid a rabbit upset tummy!
Health Worries of Our Fluffy Friends!
- First on the list: dental drama! Domestic rabbits teeth grow constantly, and if they don’t munch on enough fibre, those molars can turn into sharp little spikes, that rub on their cheeks and tongue. Ouch! This can lead to some serious pain, making your bun lose its appetite and possibly needing general anaesthetic to sort them teeth out .
- Next up, eye troubles! Rabbits have large teeth roots that are in very close proximity to the tear ducts of the eyes. any problem with the teeth can also cause issues with the eyes. Again the buns diet plays a massive part in keeping those eyes happy!
- And let’s not forget about the horror of fly strike! This nightmare unfolds when flies decide to lay eggs on the rabbits back end. Once those little maggots hatch, they feast on your poor rabbit’s flesh, resulting in a seriously painful situation that could lead to shock and can be fatal if not treated pronto!
- To keep fly strike at bay, keep a close eye on your fluffy pal, especially in the summer months. Aim for twice-daily inspections to ensure their rear end is clean and tidy! Plus, there are some products out there to deter the flies and prevent egg-laying.
- Gut stasis in bunnies is a serious condition where the normal movement of the gastrointestinal tract slows down or stops. This causes food and gas to build up, leading to bloating and discomfort. It’s often triggered by things like a low fibre diet, stress, pain or an underlying health problem. Prompt treatment is crucial, as gut stasis can be life threatening!
Vaccinations are a must!
Rabbits can be protected against two nasty diseases with a course of injections. First up is myxomatosis, a virus hitching a ride on insects like fleas, midges, and mosquitoes. Keep an eye out for these symptoms: swollen eyes, a nose that’s puffed up, and even some unexpected swelling in the nether regions! You might spot some inflammation under the skin, especially around the face, plus a pus-like discharge from the eyes and nose—yikes! Viral Haemorrhagic Disease. Another fatal disease of rabbits. Its spreads rapidly between rabbits and does not need direct contact, it may be spread on hay, straw or even by handling rabbits. As the name implies, blood may be seen from the nose, bladder or vagina. But wait, sometimes the only sign you get is sudden death—yikes! Luckily, there’s a vaccine that protects your furry friend from both of these nasties, and the injection can be given at just five weeks old! Make sure you get your little hopster booked in and don’t forget those annual boosters to keep them bouncing happily!
Tackling the Troublemakers: Rabbit Parasites!
Meet E. cuniculi, a nasty parasite that affects rabbits. Spreading through urine and even from mamma bun to her babies, this parasite can hang out in dirty corners for weeks. It can wreak havoc on kidneys and the nervous system, causing head tilts, wobbly back legs, seizures, and even blindness. But fear not! There’s a treatment. The Kibbles crew is here to help create a custom treatment plan to get your rabbit healthy again!
Snip snip, hooray for neutering!
We recommend giving both your boy and girl rabbits the ol’ snip-snip, as it helps control those territorial behaviours in females and curbs the wild mating antics of males. Plus, it’s a bunny population control measure! Did you know that uterine and ovarian cancer is super common rabbits, affecting up to a third of them? Neutering can help keep those nasty health issues at bay!
Thinking about bringing a rabbit into your life? Give The Kibbles crew a shout! We’re your go-to people for all things rabbit care, ensuring your fluffy friend gets the treatment they deserve!
Have a look at the Rabbit Welfare Association and Fund, for some expert advice on keeping your buns happy and healthy
