The rabbit's digestive system is adapted to coping with high fibre foods such as hay, grass, root vegetables and herbage. Feeding a varied diet which takes some effort to eat helps relieve boredom, a factor that is especially important for hutched rabbits, and keeps their teeth in trim.
As far as rabbits are concerned, the essential thing to remember is that good quality meadow hay should always be available.
There is choice of dry rabbit mixes or nuggets on the market. When rabbits are fed the dry rabbit mix, they will often show a prefernce for certain elements of the diet. This is called ‘selective feeding’ and can lead to imbalances in the diet. By feeding a good quality pellet diet the rabbit will not be able selectively feed.To keep the ingredients fresh they should be stored in an airtight container. Rabbits benefit from small helpings of fresh fruit and vegetables and these should be offered at least three or four times a week.
To safeguard the health of your rabbit and prevent the spread of disease, domestic rabbits should be vaccinated against myxomatosis and viral haemorrhagic disease.
Both of these diseases, once caught, cause great suffering and are potentially fatal. Your veterinary surgeon can advise you on the vaccinations and annual boosters that are required to keep your pet protected.
To make sure a rabbit is in good health it needs to be examined regularly. Many of these checks can be carried out while the animal is being fed.
If any signs of ill health are noticed a veterinary surgeon should be consulted.
Observe your pet's behaviour on a daily basis:
- Does it come forward to the front of the cage to greet you? If not, why not? A rabbit that remains in its sleeping quarters or sits huddled at the back of the cage may be feeling unwell.
- Check the rabbit's droppings for signs of diarrhoea. Rabbits produce a soft dropping, called a caecotroph, which they eat. This is perfectly normal and is no cause for alarm (by eating these soft droppings the rabbit is making sure it will get all the goodness out of its food). However, if it not eating them, a visit to the vet is called for.
- Check that the rabbit is eating. Is there more food that usual left in the food bowl?
- Check the water bottle level to make sure the rabbit is drinking.
There are various other health checks that can be carried out on weekly basis, say, while the hutch is drying from its thorough clean.
- With the rabbit on a non-slip surface check the eyes are bright, clear and free of discharge.
- Check the nose is clean and free from discharge and that the rabbit is not snuffly or sneezing.
- It is very important to check that the teeth are not becoming overgrown. Rabbits' teeth grow continuously throughout their life and are naturally worn down when they chew. If a rabbit is not given sufficient things to chew on, such as branches from fruit trees, carrots, hay, and so on, its overgrown teeth will cause pain and eventually prevent it from eating. Sometimes the back teeth can overgrow and the animal will start to dribble and stop eating. Either way, urgent veterinary treatment is needed.
- Examine both ears. The skin on the inside of the ear should be pink, and not red or hot to the touch. The ears should be clean and free from wax.
- A good way to monitor the health of the rabbit is to weigh it; a weekly record can be kept and any notable change in weight should be investigated further.
- Check the feet, especially the claws. Rabbits that are kept on soft ground do not wear down their claws and they will need regular clipping. This can be carried out by a veterinary surgeon or a veterinary nurse.
- Even though rabbits are clean animals and can be seen regularly grooming themselves, they do enjoy having their coats brushed by their owners and grooming can be easily included into the weekly health check.
Common Rabbit Ailments
Teeth : Rabbits can’t eat if their front or back teeth are too long. If food is being left, they are losing weight, they have a wet chin or are producing less/smaller faecal pellets, then get your vet to check their teeth. They may need filing, often under a general anaesthetic.
Fly strike: It is very important, especially in the summer, to check your rabbit’s bottom daily for sore areas or maggots. Fly strike can happen within hours, by the flies laying eggs, which hatch into maggots that rapidly eat the flesh. Seek immediate veterinary advice, as it can be rapidly fatal.
Pasteurella multocida: This bacterium causes snuffles, sneezing, coughing, nasal discharge and pneumonia, and is very hard to cure. Infections can result in death. Take the rabbit to the vet as antibiotic treatment may be required.
Myxomatosis:This virus is spread by fleas, causing puffy swellings around the eyes, face or ears or genitals. Take to the vet immediately. Virtually all rabbits die with this horrible disease although vaccinations are available.
Viral Haemorrhagic Disease: This virus is deadly and infectious. It can cause breathing problems, high temperatures, lack of appetite, bleeding and death. Seek immediate veterinary advice if you have cause for concern.
Grooming
Grooming not only helps to keep the coat clean but it removes excess hair, which is especially important when the rabbit is moulting. Daily grooming is essential if the rabbit is longhaired, such as an Angora.
- Using a soft bristle or pin brush - a cat brush is ideal - start at the head and brush gently in the direction in which the fur grows.
- While grooming, part the fur and check for fleas and mites.
- Any mats or tangles in the fur could be disguising a sore or a wound, so be gentle.
- When grooming the rabbit remember to check its tail end especially if diarrhoea has been noticed in the cage. Soiling in this area can attract flies and result in 'fly strike' (flies lay their eggs on soiled fur and these develop into maggots).
Games that can be played with your rabbit
- If you have a secure, rabbit-friendly garden, allow your rabbit to chase a football around or place a ball in its run.
- Build a rabbit maze using pipes and cardboard boxes and let the rabbit explore its new 'warren'.
- Place objects in the rabbit's hutch or run for it to explore, chew, or jump on and off, eg, wood from fruit trees and cardboard boxes.
- Take your rabbit for a walk on a harness, or just put time aside each day to pick up and stroke your pet.
Making friends with your pet
Once you have completed your rabbit's health check, time should be set aside to play with your pet. Rabbits are social creatures that enjoy company, either of their own kind or their human companions. Play helps strengthen the bond between you and your pet, and prevents it from getting bored.