How Do You Know if Your Bunny is Healthy?

You have an adorable ball of fluff at home who depends on you for their love and care. You feed them, clean their poop, and give them head rubs and treats. Maybe you even sing to them when they binky around the living room and then smother them with kisses…(actually that would be me!) But are they healthy? Are we actively looking for signs of any potential problems? Do we even know what those signs are? As with any furry family member, It’s important that we find out!

Here’s a list of signs of a healthy bunny that I’ve compiled for all my fellow bunny owners!!

Clear and Healthy Eyes: Make sure those adorable big eyes staring up at you when you are pointing your finger at him saying, “Naughty!” are clean and do not have any discharge in them. If you find discharge it can be a sign of an allergy or another medical issue.

A Clean, Dry Nose: Be sure Bun Bun doesn’t have the sniffles! Sniffles are a sign of respiratory problems. Since many bunnies clean their nose with their paws, check the inside of their paws for crustiness or wetness.

Healthy Fur: A soft shiny coat is a good sign! Watch for unexpected hair loss or dullness. If your rabbit has long hair be sure to brush it frequently so he or she doesn’t get mats and knots in their fur. This can cause pain and discomfort to your little one. Also, if Bun Bun is itching a lot, do not bathe him!! I learned recently from my veterinarian that immersing a bunny in water can cause shock and even scald their skin. If you are worried about ticks or fleas, there are safe sprays specifically for small animals available at any pet store.

Clean Ears: Watch for scabs or crusty parts inside the ear. These symptoms can be a sign of an ear infection otherwise known as ear canker. If your bunny is hopping around with a regular head tilt this can also be a sign of an ear infection. If you find dirt and debris in the ears you can clean them with a little warm water and gauze to wipe out the ear.

Strong Teeth: Rabbits’ teeth grow continuously (which is why they need to always find something naughty to chew on) so they can be prone to dental problems. Be aware of any excessive drooling, this is a sure-fire sign of a dental issue. If drooling happens, a visit to the veterinarian is a must!

A Good Appetite: This is true of any pet. If your bunny is suddenly not munching down veggies and pellets, this could be a sign of a bigger problem.

Normal droppings (in other words, Bun Bun poops a lot): This is very important for anyone on this planet! Healthy poop is a sign of healthy digestion and a balanced diet. Bun Bun’s poop should be round and consist mostly of hay. If your rabbit isn’t pooping as much as normal, a small piece of banana no bigger than your thumb is a good treat. Bananas help push the poop through very quickly. I’ve done this with Dasher and it always works. Within minutes he will be dashing to his cage to use the bathroom. Not only do bananas help, but they are also delectable treats your fluff ball will enjoy. Dasher loves bananas!