Most rabbit owners are responsible and will look after their rabbit in a responsible manner.  But it is worth noting that some rabbits will suffer from various problems which can be avoided.

Your rabbit’s diet will have a huge impact on his health and well being so it is important to feed him a the correct food in order to keep him healthy.  He should be fed a high level of indigestible fibre as this is vital for normal gastrointestinal  function.  As with all animals, he should also have adequate water intake and this should come through via his drinking water and through eating moist foods.  He should have controlled levels of carbohydrates because too many high starch foods can lead to obesity and gastro-intestinal disease.
Controlled levels of protein  should be given to your rabbit as excessive protein can cause kidney and gastro-intestinal disease.

Remember that rabbits produce some of their own vitamins, amino acids and other nutrients through the production and re-eating of their droppings, so it’s unnecessary to add additional supplements to a quality, healthy diet.  Make sure that you rabbit has unlimited grass hay, give him some fresh leafy greens daily (there’s no real maximum if your rabbit is eating hay, but use three or more different varieties)  He will also enjoy other vegetables and fruits in limited amounts and of course will need fresh water daily
Pellets aren’t needed in the house rabbit diet but if used they should be given in very restricted amounts. Use high fibre, low protein pellets and never use pellets as the total diet for a house rabbits.

If your rabbit is given an inappropriate diet (too high in calories) and inadequate exercise he will become obese.  Rabbits love to exercise and not only do they need a rabbit hutch that is large enough for them to move about freely but they also need a rabbit run or the run of your garden on a regular basis.

If your rabbit has excessive amounts of both internal and external body fat, appears lethargic and has lost his ability to groom himself properly (particularly around his back end) then he is obese.

Internally, obesity can lead to the potentially dangerous condition of fatty liver disease and fat deposits in blood vessels.  Excessive fat also puts extra strain on his joints and feet and can contribute to subsequent foot infections and disorders of his spine.

If you feel that you rabbit may be obese then take him to the vet and ask his advise.  If the vet agrees with your diagnosis, then he will no doubt advise you to put your rabbit on an appropriate diet and allow him to have ample access to exercise areas.

You may find that your rabbit develops an inability to eat or drops food out of his mouth or he may stop eating “hard” food items like carrots and pellets.  He may start drooling which is caused by pain from ulcerations on the inside of the mouth or he may have visibly overgrown teeth and suffer weightloss.  If you see any of these signs take your rabbit to the vet as he may have a disease in his mouth or he may need his teeth grinding down.

If you see chronic soft stools in his rabbit hutch, it could be that your rabbit’s diet inadequate in indigestible fibre or too high is starches. A physical examination may reveal an overweight condition as well.  A good idea, is to place your rabbit on an exclusive grass hay diet until the condition is corrected. Then add in fresh greens and permanently remove commercial foods from his diet.

There are, unfortunately,  a number of urinary tract disorders that rabbits can suffer from, but the most common are bladder stones and sludge. Fortunately, with the use of a more natural healthy diet that is high in moisture, it has been found that there has been a dramatic decrease in this disease.

Urinary tract disorders are usually caused by chronic low-grade dehydration (unclean water, low-moisture diet, little exercise) Again ideas-4-pets cannot emphasise enough the need for your rabbit hutch to be kept clean, to make sure your rabbit’s water is fresh and clean and that he has lots of exercise both in his rabbit hutch and in a rabbit run or your garden.

You will see your rabbit straining to urinate, urinate small amounts frequently, have strong smelling urine, thick toothpaste-like urine or small stones being passed. If complete urinary blockage occurs then there will be a rapid progression to severe depression, pain (hunched posture, reluctance to move), severe dehydration and eventualy no urine production.  If any of these occur, then your rabbit must see the vet immediately as he needs urgent treatment and may need surgery.

MOST IMPORTANT IS TO ENCOURAGE INCREASED WATER INTAKE –  and always provide fresh, clean water, and moist foods as already indicated

If you look after your rabbit properly, giving him a large rabbit hutch, a rabbit run to exercise in, a good quality diet and plenty of fresh, clean water and also make sure that his rabbit hutch is kept scrupulously clean then your rabbit will have a long, happy life without any of the pain and suffering we have mentioned above.