To know if your rabbit is okay, check for bright eyes, clean nose, normal eating/pooping, alert behavior with normal activity (hopping, playing), and relaxed body language (ears up, relaxed posture); signs of trouble include lethargy, hunching, teeth grinding (pain), lack of appetite, stopped pooping, or discharge from eyes/nose, all warranting an immediate vet visit as rabbits hide illness well and decline fast.
Mouth/Teeth: Check your rabbit's mouth. Verify that the teeth are still growing straight, not overgrown, and your rabbit isn't drooling. Look for a nice healthy pink colour in the gums. Fur/Skin: Make sure that your rabbit's coat is healthy, doesn't have any flakes, and that there are no lumps under the skin.
The 3-3-3 rule for rabbits (and other pets) is a guideline for adjusting to a new home: 3 Days for the rabbit to feel overwhelmed and hide, 3 Weeks to start settling in and showing personality, and 3 Months to feel truly at home and build a strong bond. It helps adopters manage expectations, understand that fear and skittishness are normal, and encourages patience as the bunny decompresses in its new environment, emphasizing providing a safe space and routine.
Rabbit health emergencies
If your rabbits suddenly stop behaving 'normally', or aren't showing many signs of being happy, then you should first take them to your vet. They will be able to rule out any medical conditions that could cause a change in your rabbits' behaviour.
Signs of a stressed rabbit include body language like ears pinned back, a tense hunched posture, wide eyes, and stillness, combined with behavioral changes such as hiding excessively, aggression (biting, lunging), destructive bar biting, changes in eating/toileting, restlessness, rapid breathing, or unusual vocalizations like grunting. These signals, often a prey animal's reaction to feeling threatened or unhappy, need prompt attention as chronic stress can cause serious health issues.
As a rule, a rabbit should be able to take at least three hops in a row from one end to the other. It can be difficult to buy purpose-built accommodation measuring these dimensions but there's no reason why you can't build your own! Rabbits are a prey species and need to be able to hide from things that scare them.
A previous study based on primary veterinary care showed that the most common causes of death in pet rabbits were myiasis, myxomatosis, and bite injuries, which could be prevented by improved housing and suitable care [5].
Signs of pain include: > grinding teeth > rapid and shallow breathing > pulling hair > decreased grooming > hunched posture > lethargy > increased thirst and urination > a reluctance to move > bulging, strained, staring, or unfocused eyes.
Lethargy & Body Posture: Though some rabbits are simply low-energy individuals, any rabbit that seems lethargic, especially when coupled with loss of appetite, merits filling out a vet check form and notifying a supervisor. Often a rabbit in pain will sit hunched up, unwilling to move.
Rabbits are sociable creatures that can form deep bonds with their human companions.
Rabbits need unlimited access to grass and hay, so they shouldn't ever be left without food. However, if it's an emergency and there's no other choice, then they can go up to 12 hours without eating.
In answer to the question what animal eats rabbits, the most common that springs to mind is the fox. But there are numerous others including pet dogs and cats, birds of prey, stoats, weasels, ferrets, badgers and snakes.
Red, inflamed eye tissue and/or discharge from the eyes could be a sign of infection. Very pale tissue can also be a sign of illness. In these cases, your rabbit needs to see a veterinarian.
SYMPTOMS OF GI STASIS
A very sick stasis rabbit will be crouched/curled in a pile and will show no interest in food, treats, or you. They will not move. Treatment should begin immediately. Any rabbit who is not acting normally and seems lethargic should also begin treatment immediately.
signs of pain, such as not wanting to be touched on parts of its body. teeth grinding. flinching. difficulty with breathing, especially if your rabbit is breathing through its mouth rather than its nose.
Signs your rabbit is unwell
Most commonly, rabbits make muttering sounds amongst themselves or squeal when they're in pain.
Rabbits dont sweat or pant and therefore regulate their temperature through their ears… cooler ears are actually a good sign. If their ears are hot it means they are overheated and need to cool down. Cooler ears is actually very healthy for them.
If you notice these symptoms in your bunny, it's time to see a vet as soon as possible.
The 3-3-3 rule for rabbits (and other pets) is a guideline for adjusting to a new home: 3 Days for the rabbit to feel overwhelmed and hide, 3 Weeks to start settling in and showing personality, and 3 Months to feel truly at home and build a strong bond. It helps adopters manage expectations, understand that fear and skittishness are normal, and encourages patience as the bunny decompresses in its new environment, emphasizing providing a safe space and routine.
Natural enemies of jackrabbits include hawks, owls, eagles, coyotes, bobcats, foxes, and weasels. While predation will not eliminate the population, presence of predators will provide some useful assistance in rabbit control.
Signs of stress may include: appearing nervous (freezing, hunched up with ears flat against the body) being excessively jumpy and watchful (bulging eyes) being aggressive to people or other rabbits, particularly if the behaviour is unusual.
Resting area for rabbits
Your rabbit's resting area should have at least two compartments. A darkened sheltered area for sleeping away from noise and another for eating/relaxing. All areas should be well ventilated, dry and draught free as damp, poorly ventilated, hot or dirty environments can cause illness.
Quite simply keeping a rabbit alone in a hutch without the opportunity to exercise, display normal behaviour or without companionship is not acceptable. It does not meet any of the animals fundamental requirements, or any of the owners responsibilities under the Animal Welfare Act 2006.