Are you giving your rabbit everything it needs?
May 7, 2019
Rabbits make great pets for all ages, along with other small mammals like guinea pigs, ferrets, hamsters and gerbils. But while they might seem less demanding than bigger pets like cats or dogs, they still require the same basic care when it comes to things like diet, habitat and companionship.
If you already have any concerns, help is at hand from the team at The Vet Whetstone. We offer check-ups to make sure your rabbit or other small pet is healthy, so just get in touch to arrange one.
Your rabbit or other small furry pet needs:
- A balanced diet
Just like us, animals need a varied diet to stay healthy. Certain ingredients will stop rodents’ teeth overgrowing and causing painful or life-threatening conditions. - To express natural behaviours
Animals need to behave as naturally as possible to avoid stress and boredom. Your rabbit will feel much more at home with a tub of soil to dig and a fruit-tree branch to gnaw on. - Companionship
Rabbits and guinea pigs are naturally sociable, and therefore MUST be kept in pairs or groups of their own species. However, you should consider neutering if you don’t want them to breed. - Exercise and play
Make sure your rabbit has an interesting environment with plenty of room for running and jumping and items they can climb or chew. We recommend putting treats inside a play ball to give them a mental and physical workout. - Monitoring for illness
Small furries can go downhill very quickly if they fall ill, so handle and check them twice a day. Symptoms to look out for include runny eyes, a runny nose, weight loss, drooling, wet fur around the mouth or rear, fur loss, soft droppings stuck to fur or small amounts of droppings.
If you spot any of these symptoms, please give us a call on 020 8368 9798 to book an appointment. We’ve got a wealth of experience with rabbits and other small pets, so can set your mind at rest or recommend treatment.
Plus, if you haven’t yet bought a small pet, please consider these issues:
- Space – Proper accommodation for your animal(s) and their housing
- Initial costs – For essential equipment and clinical treatments
- Time – For handling and cleaning
- Ongoing costs – Like food, bedding, toys and vet treatments
- Life span – It could be more or less time than you expect
- Care in your absence – Consider who will look after them while you’re away
- Other pets – Other animals might prey on smaller mammals