How to Keep Your Rabbit in Tip Top Shape - And Signs of a Poorly Rabbit

As a rabbit owner, keeping your pet healthy and happy is a priority. While there are many things you can do to keep your pet in tip top shape - such as providing fresh food, water, and clean rabbit bedding and rabbit litter - unfortunately there are times that your rabbit may feel under the weather.

One thing that is vital to the health of your rabbit is making sure the hutch is dry and odour free. If your rabbit’s cage is dirty and neglected, this will affect your rabbit’s immune system and make your pet more susceptible to disease. You can help ward off illness with regular clean outs and replenishing your rabbit’s hutch with a fresh layer of rabbit litter and rabbit bedding.

One of the quickest and easiest ways to clean out the hutch is with SmartBedz rabbit bedding and rabbit litter. All you have to do is to scoop out the wet pellets daily, along with any solids, and replace these with new ones in between more intensive weekly clean outs.

Here’s the SmartBedz guide to some of the common rabbit illnesses, or causes of illnesses, and how to spot when your bunny is poorly.

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Common Problems in Rabbits

Overgrown Teeth

Rabbit’s teeth can grow very long - in fact they never stop growing - so they need chews or toys that they can nibble on to keep their teeth trim. If a rabbit’s teeth grow too long this can interfere with eating and means your pet can’t groom itself. If you provide your rabbit with things to chew on - such a cardboard Rabbit Castle - this will not only give it something to much on, but also provides stimulation for your pet as they will enjoy exploring it and climbing the floors.

Long Nails

It is important to keep checking your rabbit’s nails to make sure that they don’t grow too long. If your rabbit’s nails are too long they can snag or start to curl into the foot making walking difficult or painful. You can check your rabbit’s nails when you cuddle your pet, or when you refresh the cage with a new layer of rabbit bedding. If your rabbit’s nails do need cutting, you can either do this yourself, or take it to the vet to clip (they will charge a fee for this).

Fur Balls

Fur or hairballs are quite common in rabbits and occurs when they swallow a large quantity of hair during self-grooming. The fur can ball up in the stomach and prevent your pet from eating. One way to stop this happening is to provide your rabbit with a high fibre diet such as a good supply of hay and SmartBedz rabbit litter. If you have a long-haired breed, daily brushing will help prevent this.

Sore Hocks

Sore hocks is a condition where a rabbit’s feet become inflamed making walking painful and difficult. There are a number of reasons for this including wire floor cages, or damp or soiled hutches with dirty rabbit bedding. However, a well cared for rabbit may also get sore hocks and overweight, aged and immobile rabbits may also be prone to this. The vet can treat sore hocks in a variety of ways including supplying antibiotics, anti-inflammatory or pain killing drugs, or providing topical treatments. 

Mites

Indoor and outdoor rabbits are prone to fleas, ticks and mites. If you think your rabbit has mites, your vet will be able to provide the best course of treatment. During treatment it is vital to ensure your rabbit’s hutch is thoroughly cleaned to prevent any further outbreaks. Some of the signs to look out for are: itchy ears, frequent shaking of the head, scratching, dandruff, abrasions and crusty skin. It is important to avoid inadvertently introducing mites and other creatures into your rabbit's hutch via untreated bedding such as hay or straw. One way to avoid this is by choosing SmartBedz rabbit bedding which is heat treated to get rid of mites and bacteria.

Snuffles

This is another common infectious disease and is caused by the bacterium Pasteurella. Signs to look out for if your rabbit has this are: watery eyes, nose and sneezing and the bacteria can also cause an ear infection. The vet can prescribe antibiotics for this and may also supply eye and nose drops.  It is also advisable to change the rabbit litter often as this will prevent an unhealthy build up of ammonia. Disease spreading bacteria flourish in a soiled and damp environment.

Flystrike

Flystrike is common in both indoor and outdoor bunnies and if left untreated it can be fatal. This condition occurs when the flies lay their eggs on live rabbits and the eggs hatch into maggots which feed on the rabbit’s skin. Even well-cared for rabbits can get flystrike. Signs to look out for include broken skin and sores. Again, cleaning the hutch regularly and supplying your rabbit with a fresh layer of rabbit litter can help prevent this.

Myxomatosis

This is a highly contagious disease and it is fatal to a rabbit as there is no cure. Myxomatosis is spread by insects such as fleas and mosquitoes and can be caught by direct contact with an infected rabbit. The most notable telltale signs are fever and swelling of the eyelids.

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