HEATH VETERINARY CLINIC
01273 832968 01444 242500 www.heathvets.com
Vet focus – Lucy Salter After graduating from Cambridge University in 2014, I joined Heath Vets in 2017 and enjoy working at both branches. I have a particular interest in feline and rabbit medicine; in fact my favourite surgery is a rabbit spay! I am especially keen to work with owners to improve their understanding and care of rabbits. In my free time I enjoy singing, reading, baking and spending time with friends and family – and with my cat Hector!
Rabbits are lovely animals to keep as pets either indoors or outside. They are such lively characters, they brighten up everyone’s day and can make fantastic companions. Perhaps not given enough credit on the brain front, rabbits are extremely intelligent creatures, so it is important that anyone considering homing a bunny fully understands their welfare needs.
Here’s our five-step go to guide for bunnies
Company Rabbits are incredibly sociable animals and if they don’t have the right company their welfare can unfortunately suffer. Rabbits often adore human interaction, but this does not compare with the company of another friend of the same species. Any combination of male and female rabbits can be bonded together with great success but it is important to get them neutered, primarily to prevent unwanted breeding but neutering also assists with reducing aggression and prevents unwanted health concerns for both female and males.
Housing Nutrition Rabbits require high levels of fibre to keep their digestive system constantly moving. A kibble is recommended over a muesli style diet as these often lead to selective feeding and can increase the risk of dental and digestive problems, obesity and fly strike. Any transitions in food should be done slowly over a four-week period. Rabbits’ teeth continually grow. They are designed to get worn down by the fibrous grasses they feed on in the wild. If rabbits do not get enough abrasive foods their teeth will become overgrown and painful. Feeding too much of the wrong diet can lead to obesity and health issues. Your rabbits diet should be made up of 85-90% high quality hay or fresh grass.
Rabbits need plenty of space as well as protection from predators and changing weather conditions. Housing should be as big as possible with access to a larger space which they can exercise freely in both during the day and at nighttime. The housing should be at least 2 feet high, 2 feet wide and at least 6 feet long.
Health Ensure you regularly clean your rabbits home and check them over twice a day, including under their tail, especially in summer as flystrike can often take hold extremely quickly. Sadly there are several diseases which can prove fatal to bunnies. Vaccinations are available against Myxymotosis and Viral Haemorrhagic Disease (VHD 1 & 2). We recommend regular check-ups at the vet to ensure your bunnies are kept in tip top condition. For more information please call Heath Vets on 01444 242500 to speak to one of our vets or nurses.
Behaviour To remain happy it is important that rabbits are able to display behaviours which they would exhibit in the wild. You can provide enrichment by adding tubes and boxes to hide in and climb over. Try putting food in different places to encourage natural foraging behaviour.
FUN FACT – Did you know? Rabbits express their happiness through what is called a ‘binky’. A rabbit binky is when they jump and twist, sometimes in both directions one after another, before landing. They can even do this impressive move while running, which is super cute.
SPECIAL OFFER Rabbit Neutering £50 off during April & May with this advert
Heath Veterinary Clinic Ltd 9 High Street, Hurstpierpoint ,West Sussex BN6 9TT April 2019 321 Junction Road, Burgess Hill, West Sussex RH15 0PY
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