Whether you’re a new rabbit owner or an experienced one, all rabbit owners should know what your rabbit needs to life a healthy and happy life. In general, rabbits need a healthy diet and spacious enclosure in order to be happy and healthy.
When caring for your rabbit, rabbit owners should always make sure their rabbits have the following:
- Unlimited access to hay (alfalfa for young and some senior rabbits, timothy hay for adult rabbits)
- Toys and enrichment
- A pelleted diet recommended by your veterinarian
- Fresh produce daily (such as romaine lettuce, carrot tops, other leafy greens)
- A “rabbit-proofed” room – where they cannot get into cabinets, chew on wires or baseboards, or get stuck in small crevices
- A floor level, securely locking enclosure
Always avoid the following for your rabbit:
- Feeding harmful foods (avocado, garlic, onion, chocolate, caffeine, mushrooms, xylitol or other artificial sweeteners, alcohol, and foods high in salt or sugar)
- Leaving your rabbit unattended – rabbits will chew on anything they can when unsupervised and may ingest deadly toxins or foreign objects
- Leaving or housing your rabbit outside – where there are potential predators and possible to rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus, a newly documented deadly virus that may be transmitted to pet rabbits from wild rabbits
- Offering seed-based diets or treats – these foods are high in fat, and rabbits’ gastrointestinal (GI) systems are not equipped to digest high-fat items. In fact, they can cause deadly GI stasis (a slow-down in food passage through the GI tract) and should be avoided
- Trimming teeth at home – rabbits should not need their teeth trimmed, and if they do, they likely have underlying dental disease. Plus, there is no safe way to effectively trim your rabbit’s teeth at home. Always consult with and bring your rabbit to your veterinarian for a proper dental examination
- Using essential oils – these are potentially toxic to your bunny if they ingest or breathe them in
Conclusion
Make sure your rabbit has a yearly wellness examination so your veterinarian can advise you on your rabbit’s overall health. If your rabbit shows any abnormal behaviors, call your veterinarian to have them looked at as soon as possible. Seek medical assistance if your rabbit is experiencing any of the following:
- Lethargy
- Pain or discomfort
- Bloody or discolored urine
- Lack of appetite
- Decreased fecal output
For more information on how to meet your bunny’s specific medical and behavioral needs, give us a call to make an appointment!
