Healthy Habits, Hoppy Rabbits

Preventative Care

Rabbits need consistent preventative care to stay healthy and thrive. Regular vet visits, timely vaccinations, and spaying or neutering help protect them from illness, stress, and behavioral issues—supporting a long, happy life.

  • Routine Vet Visits

    Regular check-ups help keep your pet healthy by catching issues early, updating vaccinations, and providing personalized care advice.

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  • Spaying & Neutering

    Spaying or neutering your pet prevents unwanted litters, reduces certain health risks, and can improve behavior.

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  • Vaccinations

    RHDV2 is a serious, often fatal virus affecting rabbits. Vaccination is essential to protect your pet from this contagious disease.

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  • At home monitoring

    At home monitoring allows vets to observe your pet’s health and behavior in a comfortable, stress-free environment for more accurate assessments.

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Routine Vet Visits for Rabbits

Regular vet visits are vital to keep your rabbit healthy and happy. Rabbits are good at hiding illness, so routine check-ups help catch problems early before they become serious.

Why Routine Vet Visits Matter

    • Rabbits often don’t show obvious symptoms until a condition is advanced. A vet exam can find hidden issues like dental disease, infections, or digestive problems.

    • Diseases like Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease Virus 2 (RHDV2) are deadly but preventable with vaccines. Annual boosters are recommended.

    • Rabbit teeth grow continuously and can develop painful overgrowths or misalignments that need treatment.

  • Parasites such as mites and fleas can affect rabbits; vets can recommend safe treatments.

    • Rabbits have sensitive digestive systems. Your vet can help ensure your bunny is eating well and behaving normally.

How Often Should Your Rabbit Visit the Vet?

  • Healthy Adults: At least once a year for full check up and vaccination

  • Seniors or Sick Rabbits: Every 6 months or as recommended by your vet

Spaying & Neutering Rabbits

Spaying (for females) and neutering (for males) is one of the most important things you can do for your rabbit’s health and behavior. It's not just about preventing babies—it's also about preventing serious medical conditions and helping your bunny feel more at ease.

Why It’s Important

  • Prevents Reproductive Cancers: Up to 80% of unspayed female rabbits develop uterine cancer by age 4. Spaying eliminates this risk.

  • Reduces Hormonal Behaviors: Unaltered rabbits may show aggression, spraying, mounting, and territorial behaviors. Spaying/neutering helps calm these behaviors.

  • Avoids Unwanted Litters: Rabbits can reproduce very quickly—even siblings! Fixed rabbits prevent accidental breeding.

  • Improves Bonding: Spayed and neutered rabbits are usually easier to bond with other bunnies.

When to Spay or Neuter

  • Females: Usually between 4 to 6 months of age

  • Males: 3.5 to 4 months, once the testicles have descended

Vaccinations

Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease Virus Type 2 (RHDV2) is a highly contagious and often fatal disease affecting both domestic and wild rabbits. It spreads quickly through direct contact, contaminated objects, or even insect bites. Sadly, there is no cure—but there is a vaccine that can save lives.

Why Vaccination Matters

  • Deadly & fast-acting – Many infected rabbits show no symptoms before passing away.

  • Easily spread – Can be carried on shoes, clothing, hay, or by flies.

  • Affects all rabbits – Indoor, outdoor, young, or old.

The Vaccine

The RHDV2 vaccine is safe, effective, and given as an injection by a veterinarian. Protection typically develops within 7–14 days and lasts for about one year. Annual boosters are recommended to maintain immunity.

How You Can Help Protect Your Rabbit

  • Schedule yearly RHDV2 vaccinations.

  • Limit outdoor exposure and contact with unfamiliar rabbits.

  • Practice good hygiene with hands, clothing, and equipment.

Learn More about RHDV2

At Home Monitoring

Rabbits are masters at hiding illness, so daily at-home monitoring is a key part of preventative care. By observing your rabbit’s appetite, droppings, behavior, and activity levels, you can catch subtle changes early—often before serious health issues develop. Regular checks of their weight, teeth, and grooming habits can also help prevent common conditions like GI stasis, dental disease, and flystrike. Staying in tune with your rabbit’s normal routines allows you to act quickly and consult your vet when something seems off, giving your bunny the best chance at a healthy, happy life.

Daily Observations

  1. Check Droppings: Changes in size, shape, or frequency can signal digestive issues.

  2. Watch Behavior: Look for signs of lethargy, hiding, aggression, or changes in activity.

  3. Monitor Weight: Regular weight checks can help detect health changes before symptoms appear.

  4. Inspect Teeth & Mouth: Overgrown teeth and drooling can indicate dental problems.

  5. Grooming & Fur: Note any changes in grooming behavior, bald spots, or matting.

  6. Prevent Flystrike: Keep your rabbit clean and dry, especially around the rear.

  7. Know What’s Normal: Understanding your rabbit’s usual routine helps you spot problems early.

  8. Act Quickly: If you notice anything unusual, contact your vet promptly—rabbits can deteriorate quickly.