by Chloe Iles
Here at Chloe’s Mobile Farm we are super passionate about animal welfare and we believe rabbits often have a pretty raw end of the deal.
If you are considering pet rabbits here are some things to consider, rabbits need rabbit friends.
Castrated/neutered boy/girl pairs make the best pairs!
Rabbits need to be vaccinated to keep them safe from some horrible diseases such as Myxomatosis and Rabbit Viral Haemorrhage disease which you can be carrying on your clothing and footwear.
They need more room than you might think. Think about how far a bunny would naturally roam - also think about other natural behaviours such as digging and foraging.
Rabbits cannot live off carrots alone - contrary to popular opinion, carrots are not healthy in large quantities and rabbits are better off with leafy green vegetables. They also need unlimited access to hay to help keep their teeth trimmed.
It is also important to regularly health check your rabbits. Health checking your rabbit regularly is important so you can pick up on any signs of illness and make sure they're the correct weight.
What should I look for when I health check?
Look for any weight loss, changes in appetite or how much they are drinking and changes in behaviour. Changes in behaviour like aggression, biting, thumping, being restless or barely moving can be signs of pain or illness.
•When you're checking around your rabbits head (mouth, nose, eyes and ears) you should check their teeth and make sure they aren't overgrown or overlapping, this can cause them to struggle to eat. Your rabbits nose should be twitching regularly and not be runny, they should have clear and bright eyes with no signs of dullness or cloudiness. Their ears should be clean and have no dirt inside of them, dirty ears can be a sign of infection.
•When you check their body (legs, fur, skin and feet) check their nails and make sure they aren't overgrown, make sure they have no scratches or cuts on their legs or body. Check their fur and make sure they don't have dry skin or any bald patches as it can be a sign of mites or fleas. Also check for any lumps or bumps and if you find any make sure to get them checked by a vet.
If you think there is anything wrong with your rabbit make sure to take them to a vet to be checked