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The average rabbit can live for 5 – 10 years, they are a big commitment – are you prepared?

       They are also very social animals and should be kept in pairs whenever possible.

•                     Animals from the same litter will normally get on well, but any pair that are newly introduced must be monitored closely. Female rabbits will tolerate each other, but un-castrated male rabbits can be aggressive towards each other.

  Always ensure that there is fresh clean water available for your rabbit. In winter try to cover your rabbits water bottle with material such as a sock to stop the water freezing and in the summer ensure their water is cool and in the shade.

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  A rabbits top front teeth grow at a rate of 3mm a week! The most important part of a rabbits diet is hay, alongside fresh grass. Rabbits should be allowed to eat as much hay and grass as their teeth continually grow and so hay is vitally important to keep them worn down. Rabbits that are not fed enough hay will often encounter problems with overgrown teeth later in life, which can be very difficult to resolve.

   

Rabbits can also be fed green leafy foods and vegetables, such as cabbage, chard, parsley, watercress, broccoli, basil, carrot, brambles, and dandelions. All of these foods should be washed before being fed to your rabbit. Fruits should be avoided as they are very sugary. 

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  Rabbits should also be fed a small amount of pre-packaged rabbit food in the form of pellets. We recommend pellet food as rabbits can become fussy with other foods and pick out the bits they like and leave the rest. This is the least important part of the diet, and only a small handful should be given daily.

   

  Neutering

  We offer neutering from 4 months of old. In female rabbits, this prevents uterine tumours and can greatly reduce the chances of mammary tumours developing. In male rabbits, castration prevents aggressive behaviour and inappropriate mounting of objects.

   

  Healthy Bunnies 

  To keep your bunny healthy we recommend vaccinating them against Myxomatosis and Viral Haemorrhagic disease (VHD) both diseases can be fatal. The virus can be spread by flies from wild rabbits to your pets both in and outdoor rabbits can be infected. Vaccinations will be required annually to maintain protection from the diseases.

   

  Flystrike 

  If a rabbit is unable to reach and clean around it’s rear end, it can lead to a build up of faeces which can attract flies. If the flies lay eggs onto to rabbits coat, the developing maggots will eat away at the rabbits skin. Flystrike is extremely painful and requires prompt veterinary treatment. We can protect your rabbit from Flystrike by using an insecticide twice yearly, please contact us to arrange this for your rabbit.