Five Essential Ways to Keep Your Rabbit Healthy in 2025

Caring for your rabbit with up-to-date advice and responsible ownership is essential to ensure your pet leads a happy and healthy life. This comprehensive guide offers practical rabbit health tips and covers critical aspects such as vaccination, daily health checks, dental care, parasite prevention, and environment hygiene in line with current veterinary best practices in the UK.

For more on related breeds and characteristics, see the rabbits section at Pets4Homes.

1. Vaccination: Protecting Against Myxomatosis and RHD2

Vaccination remains one of the most important steps to protect your rabbit from two deadly viral diseases: myxomatosis and Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease type 2 (RHD2). These illnesses have caused significant rabbit population declines and can be fatal.

• Myxomatosis is spread mainly by biting insects such as fleas and mosquitoes. Symptoms include swelling around the eyes and face, lethargy, and respiratory distress.
• RHD2 is a highly contagious viral disease causing sudden death or severe liver damage, and it can affect vaccinated rabbits if they have not received vaccines covering new strains.

Actionable steps:

• Schedule annual vaccinations with your UK vet for both myxomatosis and RHD2 (the combined vaccine protects against classic RHD and RHD2 strains).
• Keep your rabbit indoors or in protected runs during high-insect seasons (spring through autumn) to reduce exposure.
• Talk to your vet about the correct vaccination intervals and any booster shots recommended for your breed and environment.

Vaccination schedules and requirements may update regularly, so always consult your vet for the latest advice to ensure your rabbit is optimally protected.

2. Daily Checks for Flystrike: Early Detection Saves Lives

Flystrike is a severe and potentially fatal condition where blowflies lay eggs on damp or soiled fur, usually around the rabbit’s bottom, which then hatch into maggots that burrow into the skin.

Why is flystrike a major concern?

• It can develop rapidly, especially in warm and humid UK summers.
• Rabbits with diarrhoea, obesity, arthritis, or long fur are at higher risk.
• If unspotted, it can cause severe pain, infection, and death within hours.

How to prevent and monitor flystrike:

• Check your rabbit’s bottom, tail, and fur daily, increasing to twice daily during warmer months, looking for any signs of dampness, dirtiness, smells, or maggots.
• Maintain immaculate hygiene in your rabbit’s enclosure by removing soiled bedding daily and performing deep cleans with pet-safe disinfectants weekly at minimum.
• Trim excess fur around the rear and tail in long-haired breeds to prevent urine and faeces build-up.
• Provide a high-fibre diet (mainly hay with limited fresh vegetables and pellets) to maintain firm droppings and support gut health.
• Consider flyscreens on hutches and the use of vet-approved fly repellents or spot-on treatments as recommended by your veterinary surgeon.
• Consult your vet immediately if eggs or maggots are suspected; flystrike requires prompt professional treatment.

3. Dental Care: Maintaining Healthy Teeth and Nutrition

Rabbits have continuously growing incisor and molar teeth. Improper wear leads to painful dental disease causing weight loss, drooling, and difficulty eating.

Key signs of dental problems:

• Reduced appetite or refusing hard foods
• Weight loss or drooling
• Facial swelling or bad breath
• Difficulty grooming or sensitivity on handling

Practical dental care advice:

• Provide unlimited good-quality hay, the gold standard for natural tooth wear and digestion.
• Supplement with fresh leafy greens and a limited amount of pellets designed for rabbits to avoid obesity.
• Avoid sugary treats or high-carbohydrate foods.
• Regularly check your rabbit’s teeth yourself if comfortable, or ask your vet to show you during visits.
• Schedule annual or biannual dental examinations to identify issues like overgrown teeth, spurs, or abscesses early.
• If dental problems are diagnosed, your vet may need to file or trim teeth under anaesthetic and offer pain relief.

Keeping teeth healthy supports overall rabbit wellness and lifespans.

4. Parasite Prevention: Protecting Against Fleas, Mites, and Worms

Parasites can cause discomfort, skin problems, and transmit diseases to your rabbit.

Common parasites in UK rabbits include:

• Fleas
• Ear mites
• Cheyletiella mites (walking dandruff)
• Intestinal worms

Steps to keep parasites at bay:

• Maintain good hygiene in your rabbit’s housing.
• Use only vet-approved parasite preventatives and treatments specifically formulated for rabbits; do not use dog or cat products.
• Regularly inspect your rabbit’s fur, skin, ears and bedding for signs of infestation such as scratching, scabs, dandruff or hair loss.
• Consult your vet promptly if parasites are suspected for safe and effective treatment.

Preventing parasite infestations not only improves comfort but reduces risks of secondary infections.

5. Environmental Hygiene and General Care

A clean, safe, and enriched environment is crucial for your rabbit’s physical and emotional wellbeing.

Recommended care practices:

• Change bedding daily and fully clean hutches or indoor runs at least weekly using a rabbit-safe disinfectant.
• Ensure your rabbit’s enclosure is spacious, secure, and sheltered from extreme weather and predators.
• Provide opportunities for exercise and mental stimulation with toys, tunnels, and safe outdoor access if possible.
• Offer daily grooming, especially for long-haired breeds, which aids bonding and helps you check for health issues.
• Monitor behaviour daily. Changes in appetite, posture, or stool can indicate health problems requiring vet attention.

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Responsible Rabbit Ownership for 2025 and Beyond

Commitment to proactive health care through vaccination, daily monitoring, dental maintenance, parasite control, and environmental hygiene will help your rabbit thrive in the UK in 2025.

Always work closely with a knowledgeable vet for regular wellness checks and tailored advice specific to your rabbit’s breed, age, and lifestyle. Education and attention prevent many common health issues, ensuring your companion bunny enjoys a long, happy life.

By following these how to care for rabbits tips and embracing your role as a responsible owner, you safeguard your beloved pet’s health and wellbeing every day.