Is your rabbit a truly happy bunny? There are many ways in which you can provide added stimulation to really enrich your pet’s environment, which is why our team of rabbit-loving nurses at Northlands Cat & Rabbit Care Clinic have put together these top tips.

If you have questions about how you can improve your rabbit’s life after reading our article, or you have concerns and would like to book a check-up, remember you can always talk to us.

Contact us for advice

Northlands Cat & Rabbit Care Clinic’s top five life-enhancing tips for rabbits

1. Stimulate your rabbit’s mind

According to Northlands Cat & Rabbit Care Clinic’s nursing team, rabbits need stimulation and the ability to express natural behaviours to stop boredom or stress setting in. Try adding these to your rabbit’s environment:

• Chew Toys: Rabbits love to chew, so provide them with safe and durable chew toys. Look for toys made from natural materials like willow or applewood.
• Tunnels and Hides: Rabbits enjoy exploring and hiding. Tunnels and hides can provide a sense of security and mental stimulation.
• Puzzle Feeders: Challenge your rabbit’s mind with puzzle feeders that require them to work to access their food.
• Interactive Toys: Toys that move or make noise can be a great way to engage your rabbit’s curiosity.
• Foraging Trays: Provide a box or tray of hay with cardboard tubes containing vegetable treats hidden inside for some foraging fun!
• Digging Box: Containers of soil allow them to practise their digging skills.

2. The perfect companion

Pet rabbits should be kept in pairs, if possible, but if you have concerns about a pair leading to lots of little ones, please talk to our vets in Northampton about neutering. It’s also important for your rabbit to interact with people from a young age. Familiarity with humans will help your rabbit develop into a confident, friendly adult.

3. A nutritional diet

Feeding your rabbit the correct diet is essential to maintain digestive health and avoid dental problems. Their teeth grow continuously so they must chew enough fibre to prevent overgrowth. Feed your rabbit a small amount of quality pellet food, a variety of rabbit-safe fresh vegetables (dark, leafy greens like romaine lettuce, kale, spinach, and parsley, plus, other vegetables like carrots, broccoli, celery, and bell peppers) and lots and lots of hay.

4. Your rabbit’s home

A cosy, safe hutch is the perfect place for your rabbit to sleep, but it should be accompanied by a run that’s big enough for them to complete at least three full hops and stand up comfortably.

If you would like advice on the right diet or housing for your rabbit, book a consultation with our veterinary nursing team in Northampton by calling 01604 478888.

5. Protect your pet

Rabbits should be vaccinated for Myxomatosis and VHD-1 & 2, but they can also pick up parasites, such as ear mites and fleas, all of which can easily be treated. Grooming your rabbit, cleaning their hutch regularly, and keeping their fur (and their hutch) clean and dry is essential to avoiding ‘fly strike’, which is a potentially fatal condition.

At Northlands Cat & Rabbit Care Clinic, we offer a comprehensive range of veterinary services for our rabbit patients, so if you have any questions or want a check-up you can always book your bunny in to see one of our veterinary team and we’ll help keep your pet in the best of health.

Contact us to book an appointment