🐇Care

Rabbit Care Guide: Health, Diet & What to Do When They're Sick

8 min read · Rabbits

Rabbits are gentle, intelligent animals but they are also surprisingly fragile. They require specialized care that many new owners don't expect. This guide will help you keep your rabbit healthy and recognize problems early.

Rabbit Nutrition: What to Feed

A proper rabbit diet is critical — poor diet causes the majority of health problems in pet rabbits.

🌿 Hay (80% of the diet)

Unlimited fresh Timothy hay (or orchard grass for adults) must always be available. Hay keeps the digestive system moving and prevents GI stasis — the number one killer of pet rabbits. It also wears down constantly growing teeth.

🥬 Fresh Leafy Greens (15%)

Provide 1–2 cups of leafy greens per day per 2kg of body weight. Good choices: romaine lettuce, bok choy, cilantro, parsley, basil, dill. Introduce new greens slowly to avoid digestive upset.

🫘 Pellets (5%)

High-quality plain timothy pellets — ¼ cup per 2kg of body weight per day for adults. Avoid muesli-style mixes with seeds and dried fruit — rabbits pick out the sugary bits and leave the healthy parts.

❌ Foods to Avoid

Iceberg lettuce (causes diarrhea)
Cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower (causes gas — dangerous for rabbits)
Fruits and carrots (high sugar — treats only, small amounts)
Chocolate, onions, garlic, avocado (toxic)
Processed human food of any kind

Housing & Environment

Space: Rabbits need a minimum enclosure of 3m x 2m, plus daily free-roaming time of at least 3–4 hours. Small hutches sold in pet stores are inadequate.
Temperature: Rabbits tolerate cool temperatures well but suffer in heat. Keep them below 26°C (79°F). Heat stroke is a common cause of death in summer.
Flooring: Avoid wire-bottom cages — cause painful sore hocks. Use solid flooring with soft bedding (paper bedding or hay).
Company: Rabbits are social animals. Consider adopting a bonded pair — single rabbits can suffer from loneliness and depression.

Common Health Problems in Rabbits

GI Stasis

The most common and deadly rabbit emergency. The digestive system slows or stops completely. Signs: not eating, no droppings, hunched posture, tooth grinding. Requires immediate emergency vet care — a rabbit can die within 24–48 hours.

Dental Disease

Rabbit teeth grow continuously. Without enough hay to wear them down, teeth can overgrow and misalign, causing pain and inability to eat. Regular dental checks are essential.

Ear Mites

Cause intense itching, head shaking, and crusty brown discharge in the ears. Contagious to other rabbits. Treated with medication from a vet.

Snuffles (Pasteurella)

Bacterial respiratory infection causing runny nose, sneezing, and eye discharge. Chronic condition that can be managed but rarely cured. Stress worsens flare-ups.

Uterine Cancer

Affects up to 80% of unspayed female rabbits over 4 years old. Spaying is strongly recommended for all female rabbits before 2 years of age.

Flystrike

Flies lay eggs on soiled fur near the bottom. Maggots can consume tissue rapidly. Fatal within hours. Keep hutches clean and check your rabbit's bottom daily.

Emergency Signs — Go to the Vet Immediately

Not eating for more than 6–8 hours
No droppings for more than 4–6 hours
Hunched posture and teeth grinding
Labored breathing or tipping head to one side
Collapse or seizures
Swollen, hard abdomen
Maggots visible on the body (flystrike)

Vaccinations for Rabbits

In many countries, rabbits should be vaccinated against:

Myxomatosis: Fatal viral disease spread by insects. Vaccination is annual.
Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease (RHDV1 & RHDV2): Highly contagious and rapidly fatal. Annual or biannual vaccination recommended.

Check with your local vet which diseases are present in your area and what schedule is recommended.

Keep Your Rabbit's Medications on Track

Rabbits on medication for dental disease, ear mites, or respiratory infections need consistent prescription refills. VetRefill helps clinics send automatic reminders so rabbits never miss a dose.

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