Rabbit Health (Continued)
Other Things To Be Mindful Of

Shedding - feed your bunny extra protein during these times.
Heat - anything over 80 degrees is stressful for your bunny.  He will actually drink less water when overheated.  Place containers of ice in the cage to help on hot days.  
Cold - anything below 40 degrees is unhealthy for your bunny unless gradually adjusted to it.
Hanging Plants - watch for fallen leaves.  Most house plants are poisonous to bunnies, although they would have to eat a lot to get sick.
Older Rabbits - need more protein, so increase the pellet food and veggies.
Avoid Bathing - rabbits are susceptible to respiratory diseases.  They clean themselves more than cats.  Washing of the hindquarter with mild soap is OK when needed.  Bunnies can swim but they do not like baths.
Slick Surfaces-  are slippery to your bunny, so hazardous.
Neutering - be sure to have your bunny neutered for the sake of his health, and also for more enjoyment of him for yourself.  Males can be neutered after four months, and females after five months.  Uterine cancer is the number one killer of female rabbits and spaying your doe reduces the risk of this considerably.  Neutering the buck helps reduce the incidence of testicular cancer.

Best Defense For Rabbit's Health


Keeping optimum sanitary conditions is your bunny’s best defense against ill health caused by flies (their maggots will eat into the flesh), fleas, mites, lice, ring worms, pin worms, tape worms and whatever other kind of destructive worms and parasites there might be.  Be sure to wash your hands before handling your bunny, especially if you have other pets in the house.  Most domestic rabbit health problems are caused by poor husbandry.

 For a good book that details different sicknesses and diseases in rabbits with charts included, we recommend Dr. Lucille C. Moore's A House Rabbit Primer.

More and more Veterinarians are getting trained in rabbit health issues (especially the newer ones) because of the ever-growing popularity of these exotic pets.  If you have a rabbit-knowledgeable Vet in your town, prize him/her because they are a key factor in the longevity of your rabbit’s health.  So let us conclude this brief overview with a toast to your rabbit’s health                   .<<Back
                                                                                                                                            
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