Your Bunny’s Breakfast and Dinner Health Check
Rabbits are prey animals, which means they instinctively hide signs of illness. They are also exotic animals and require care from an Exotic DVM (Doctor of Veterinary Medicine). Often, the first sign of illness is a change in normal behavior. Rabbits thrive on routine, so any disruption can be an early warning sign.
Daily Breakfast & Dinner Health Check
It is important to perform a daily health check twice a day—at breakfast and dinner—by observing three key items. If you notice a concern, you have valuable time to contact your Exotic DVM or a 911 Exotic DVM.
Hay & Poop
Did your bunny eat their hay?
Are they producing normal poop?
Water Intake
Did they drink their water?
Activity & Interest in Food
Are they active and responsive to greens and pellets?
We make a sound with the pellet bag and spread pellets around both morning and night to encourage movement and interest.
If your bunny is not active or not interested in food, you can try offering a favorite treat. Lack of appetite or activity may be a sign of GI stasis, which often indicates an underlying health issue. Seek immediate attention from your Exotic DVM or a 911 Exotic DVM if this occurs. If you can take the temperature of your rabbit. Normal temperature is 101 F to 103F. Your bunny might need heat support if below 100 F. You and wet your rabbit’s ear to cool your bunny if 104F and above.
Every Bunny Is Unique
Each bunny is different and special. For example, our bunny Zora:
Tends not to eat greens
May have soft poop when she does eat too many greens
Often has watery eyes, which we monitor and gently clean daily
She is an older bunny who tends to rest more the Zita
If you have a bonded pair, it can be harder to track individual food intake. In this case:
Compare the overall amount eaten day-to-day
Spreading pellets is especially helpful to observe activity and ensure both bunnies are eating
Daily observation is one of the best ways to keep your bunny healthy and catch problems early. The daily observation just takes a minute.
Each check will cover about 12 Hours. If you need to see an Exotic Rabbit Vet you have time in the morning for an appointment. The night time will all you to see an Exotic Rabbit Vet during the night.
It is important to have a list ready in the event you you need to see a Exotic Rabbit Vet.