17/06/2025
A detailed look into the importance of regular and detailed Health checks on rabbits, including what to look for and how often this needs to be done.
Unlike other animals, rabbits often mask signs of illness or discomfort, making it vital for caregivers to perform regular health checks. These routine checks not only help identify potential problems early but also strengthen the bond between you and your rabbit.
This article highlights the key areas to monitor during a health check and explains why each is important.
1. General Health and Body Condition:
Regularly assessing your rabbit’s overall body condition helps detect subtle changes that could indicate underlying issues. Here’s what to look for:
1.1 Weight and body shape: A sudden weight loss or gain could signal digestive issues, dental problems, or metabolic disease. Feel along the spine, hips, and ribs – your rabbit should have a smooth contour without sharp bones or excessive fat.
1.2 Coat and skin: The fur should be soft, clean, and free from bald patches or signs of parasites (like mites or fleas). Dry, flaky skin or excessive shedding might signal nutritional deficiencies or stress.
1.3 Mobility: Observe how your rabbit moves. Limping, stiffness, or reluctance to move can indicate joint problems or injury.
Frequency: Weekly visual checks: Fortnightly hands-on assessment.
2. Eyes:
Healthy eyes are bright, clear, and free from discharge or cloudiness. Issues with the eyes can quickly escalate, as rabbits are prone to infections and injuries due to their large, protruding eyes.
What to check: Redness, excessive tearing, crustiness, squinting, or a cloudy appearance. Also look for signs of a blocked tear duct, especially if the fur around the eyes is consistently damp.
Significance: Eye infections can be painful and may be linked to dental issues, such as overgrown roots pressing into the tear ducts.
Frequency: Weekly.
3. Teeth:
Dental health in rabbits is critical to ensure that rabbits can effectively eat and digest necessary protein and fibre that they require. Regular monitoring of dental health and potential issues is vital for long term overall health and wellbeing of your rabbit. Signs to watch for: drooling, weight loss, a change in eating habits, reduced grooming, eye or nasal discharge and bad breath. These points outline the importance of regular checks.
What to check: Focus on the incisors (front teeth) and molars (back teeth) for signs of problems like overgrown or misaligned teeth, sharp points (spurs), or signs of infection.
Alignment: The top two incisors should slightly overlap the bottom two and be aligned correctly.
Shape and Condition: They should be smooth, chisel-shaped, and free from cracks or chips.
Movement: Check for any looseness or signs of gum inflammation.
Significance: Malocclusions’ are a potentially serious issue for rabbits and can be caused either from genetics or from damage or injury, untreated, these cause serious pain and digestive issues as rabbits are incapable of eating once serious overgrowth due to misalignment occurs. Molar spurs are also a potential source of dental issues, while difficult to assess without veterinary intervention, these can be palpated if done so correctly, they will feel like sharp points on the jawline.
Frequency: Monthly.
4. Nose:
When examining a rabbit's nose during a health check, focus on colour, discharge, and airflow. A healthy nose should be pink, clear of any discharge, and have equal airflow from both nostrils. Look for any signs of swelling, crusting, blockage or discharge of the nostrils. NB: When checking the nasal area, ensure that the inside of the front paws are also checked for staining and crusting, as these will also be indicative of a potential nasal issue. Rabbits use their front paws to clean their nose.
Frequency: Weekly.
5. Ears
Rabbit ears are not only expressive but also prone to specific problems, especially in lop-eared breeds.
What to check: Look inside the ear for wax build-up, dirt, mites, or signs of infection (redness, swelling, and odour). Check for scratches or scabs around the base or behind the ears.
Significance: Ear mites are common and can cause intense itching and discomfort. Inner ear infections can affect balance and appetite, potentially becoming serious if left untreated.
Frequency: Weekly, with more frequent checks for lop breeds.
6. Scent Glands
Rabbits have scent glands located under the chin and beside the a**s. The a**l scent glands, in particular, can collect debris and develop a strong odour if not cleaned occasionally.
What to check: Gently part the fur near the a**s to inspect the scent glands. Look for accumulated waxy material, discharge, or inflammation.
Significance: Blocked or dirty scent glands can lead to infections and severe discomfort, including the potential for infections moving to reproductive organs and urinary tract. Regular cleaning helps maintain hygiene and prevent potential health issues.
Frequency: Monthly or as needed.
7. A**s and Rear End Hygiene
A clean rear end is essential to prevent fly strike, a potentially fatal condition where flies lay eggs on soiled fur and the hatching maggots feed on the rabbit’s flesh, along with being a tell tale sign of potential gastro intestinal issues.
What to check: Look for any signs of faecal matter stuck in the fur, diarrhoea, redness, swelling, or abnormal discharge.
Significance: Dirty bums are a major risk factor for fly strike in warm weather. Diarrhoea can also be a sign of serious gastrointestinal issues requiring immediate attention.
Frequency: Daily quick visual check, especially in warm months; thorough check weekly.
8. Reproductive Organs: P***s and V***a
Regardless of whether your rabbit is spayed or neutered, you should still check their reproductive organs regularly.
What to check: Look for swelling, lumps, redness, or discharge. In males, ensure the p***s and testicles (if intact) are clean and not injured. In females, inspect the v***a for inflammation or unusual discharge.
Significance: Reproductive cancers are common in unspayed female rabbits, especially over the age of 3. Early detection of abnormalities in either s*x can lead to prompt veterinary intervention.
Frequency: Monthly.
9. Nails
Nail trimming is an essential part of rabbit grooming. Overgrown nails can cause pain, interfere with movement, or become snagged, leading to injury.
What to check: Observe the length of the nails. If they begin to curl or protrude significantly beyond the fur, they need trimming. Also check for cracks or breaks.
Significance: Long nails can alter posture, leading to sore hocks or joint strain. If nails break off close to the quick, they may bleed and cause infection.
Frequency: Every 4–6 weeks, depending on your rabbit’s activity level and flooring.
10. Feet:
Regular checks on feet and hocks are essential: This is to ensure that there is no balding and or breaks on rabbit’s feet and hocks. Bare and or broken hocks will lead to further more serious health concerns and will be indicative of enclosure hygiene practices and flooring construction. These checks become vitally important when dealing with the REX group, as these generally have poorly furred feet and hocks.
What to check:Front feet and hocks, check for lack of furring or diminished furring, open wounds, breaks in the foot pads, urine scalding and swelling.
Significance: Sore, broken pads, hocks and feet are very uncomfortable and painful for rabbits. if there are found; immediate investigation and action into the causes need to be instituted:- Changes to enclosure flooring, regularly changing and refreshing bedding, ensuring bedding and rest pads are clean and dry, will be points to consider.
Frequency: Weekly, except for the REX group of breeds, these should be checked at least bi-weekly.
Final Tips for Successful Health Checks
Handle gently: Always support your rabbit’s back and hindquarters. Use a calm voice and handle them in a quiet environment.
Know what’s normal: Understanding your rabbit’s typical behaviour and appearance helps identify abnormalities sooner.
Consult your vet: If anything seems unusual, don’t hesitate to contact a rabbit-savvy veterinarian.
Conclusion
Regular health checks are a vital part of responsible rabbit ownership. Many serious conditions can be prevented or successfully treated if caught early through careful observation. By incorporating these checks into your routine, you not only safeguard your rabbit’s well-being but also deepen your connection with them through trust and attentive care.
A healthy rabbit is a happy rabbit – and a well-checked rabbit is one step closer to staying that way.
