Rabbits

Looking After Rabbits

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Rabbits are prey species and unless they are handled gently and frequently from a young age they can have a natural fear of humans.

The good news is that the house rabbits we see are as friendly towards humans as any other pet. They have an adorable and unique personality otherwise not seen in the unsocialised rabbit.

Advantages of Being a House Rabbit

  • Less isolated and more social rabbit
  • Low risk of myxomatosis, calicivirus and fly strike
  • Prevention of fox attack
  • Protection from hot and cold weather
  • Controlled food intake
  • Early detection of illness

And a lot more fun for the family too. Read why we don’t advise keeping rabbits in hutches.

Nutrition

Rabbits need extremely large amounts of fibre in their diet. Hay made from dried grass should be available at all times. Grains and other foods high in simple carbohydrates (the common diets sold in supermarkets) should be avoided. This helps avoid two serious problems:

  • Gastrointestinal Stasis: a fatal disease caused by not enough fibre in the diet
  • Overgrown Teeth: rabbit teeth grow continuously and need grind rough food constantly to stop them getting painful overgrown teeth
rabbit overgrown teeth
Sharp spur on molar

Hay (grass hay not lucerne or straw) can be bought from pet supply stores and fodder stores. It should be fed daily as well as used for bedding. Hay should be at least 80% of the diet.

Tooth problems in rabbits are usually noticed by the rabbit eating less food or trying to eat but the food falling from the mouth. Sometimes, the overgrown teeth can be seen protruding from the mouth but usually, it is necessary for a vet to examine the mouth. If this happens, see your vet.

See our full article at Feeding Rabbits.

Vaccination

Rabbits are best vaccinated at 4 weeks, then at 8 weeks, and again at 12 weeks or later, followed by annual vaccination against Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease (calicivirus). As soon as you get your rabbit, contact us for advice. Read more about rabbit calicivirus RHDV2 here. and about the government K5 calicivirus release here.

Unfortunately, there is no vaccine available in Australia for myxomatosis so rabbit enclosures need to be fly and mosquito proof and rabbits enclosed from dawn to dusk. Read more about rabbit myxomatosis here.

Other Health Problems

Rabbit lumps are serious, and often fatal. Most are abscesses, and need immediate treatment at a rabbit-friendly vet. Click here for more about rabbit lumps.

Fractures are very common., usually from falls when startled while being held. They can be repaired just like any other species (we’ve done a lot) but it pays to sit down to cuddle rabbits just in case. Spinal fractures occur in a similar way, but also when rabbits struggle while being held. They have such powerful back legs.

Eye Problems include blocked tear ducts from dental issues, conjunctivitis and an infection called encephalitozoon mentioned here .

rabbit mite egg
Fur mite egg on hair shaft

Head Tilt or balance problems in rabbits are caused by infections in the inner ear that need urgent treatment

Ear and Fur Mites are also very common, however fleas are uncommon. Rabbit skin parasites are easily treated using the products on this page, but often the ear infection also needs special ointment.

Fly Strike occurs in warm weather when faeces are adhered to the bottom. The smell attracts flies who lay maggots. The cause is often a combination of poor diet, poor hygiene and insufficient activity or mobility issues.

Worms, however, are almost never a problem. We do not advise the use of wormers in rabbits.

rabbit bumblefoot
Early hock lesion

Bumblefoot and Sore Hocks are skin ulcers caused by excessive pressure on sensitive pressure points. If not treated early, these infections can extend to the bone. The cause is often found in the housing arrangement or in fixing problems such as obesity or bunny arthritis.

Predation from foxes and dogs is one of the most common causes of death. Read about a fox attack on one of our rabbit patients here.

Desexing

walkerville rabbit desexing
Can you see the ear?

Rabbits are desexed from 4 months of age. All animals are given a physical examination prior to anaesthesia, and all animals receive potent post-operative pain relief. We find owners are surprised by how little their animal is affected by the procedure, and by how little impact desexing has on their pets. Desexing will improve behaviour in both sexes. Uterine cancer is a very common and serious disorder of ageing rabbits easily prevented by early desexing.

View desexing prices here. Before you book in your rabbit for desexing, read our guide to What to do before a rabbit is desexed.

Rabbit Anaesthesia


Rabbits receive inhaled gaseous anaesthesia with full monitoring support; the same as most dog, cat and human anaesthesitics. Read our article about anaesthetic safety to learn more.

Fleas and Mites

Read our full advice at Flea and Mite Protection for Rabbits

Microchips

Read our full article about microchips here.

All rabbits should have a microchip implanted at some stage early in their life. Rabbits commonly escape from yards and are found a long distance away. Without identification, they are rarely able to find their home. Microchipping can be performed in most rabbits without an anaesthetic but is often done at the same time as desexing. It is standard practice to place

All rabbits should have a microchip implanted at some stage early in their life. Rabbits commonly escape from yards and are found a long distance away. Without identification, they are rarely able to find their home. Microchipping can be performed in most rabbits without an anaesthetic but is often done at the same time as desexing. It is standard practice to place an “M” tattoo in the ear at the same time or with the next anaesthetic. However, a tattoo is not considered absolutely necessary.

microchip vs minichip


The picture shows the new mini chips next to the older standard microchip. The cost is the same and inserting them causes less discomfort. It is a permanent and safe identification method at a minimal cost.