RABBITS: Handy Hints & Tips

Rabbits are intelligent, social animals with very specific dietary and health needs. At Casey and Cranbourne Veterinary Hospital, we regularly care for pet rabbits from Cranbourne, Clyde, Lynbrook, Seaford and surrounding suburbs from routine health checks through to advanced dental and surgical care.

One of the most common reasons rabbits become unwell is diet-related disease, particularly dental problems and gut stasis. Understanding what rabbits should eat (and what they shouldn’t) is one of the most important steps you can take to keep your rabbit healthy long-term.

Rabbits are hindgut fermenting herbivores, meaning their digestive system is designed to process large volumes of high-fibre plant material. Their natural diet consists primarily of grasses and leafy vegetation, which helps keep both their gut and teeth functioning properly.

A key part of rabbit digestion is caecotrophy, the production and re-ingestion of specialised “night droppings” called caecotrophy. These are rich in essential vitamins and amino acids and are normally eaten directly from the anus, usually at dawn or dusk.

When diet balance is poor, caecotrophy can fail, leading to:

• Soft droppings stuck around the tail
• Skin irritation and infection
• Increased risk of flystrike
• Digestive upset and gut stasis

Rabbit teeth grow continuously at a rate of 2–3 mm per week. Without enough fibre to naturally wear them down, rabbits can develop:

• Overgrown incisors
• Painful molar spurs
• Dental abscesses

Reduced appetite and weight loss
Dental disease in rabbits often develops quietly and progresses quickly. We frequently see rabbits presented only once they’ve stopped eating, which is already an emergency.

Hay is the single most important food for dental and gut health.

Rabbits can be surprisingly fussy. Good hay should:

• Smell fresh
• Look green
• Be free from dust and prickles
• Not be overly dry or brittle
• Be stored outside plastic bags

Low-quality hay is a common cause of dental and digestive problems.

Rabbits have delicate digestive systems. Foods to avoid include:

Many supermarket rabbit foods are too high in fat and sugar and contribute to obesity, gut problems, and dental disease.

Some plants are highly toxic to rabbits, especially bulb plants and ornamentals. If your rabbit has access to the garden, plant identification is essential.

If ingestion is suspected, urgent veterinary assessment is required.

We routinely treat rabbits at our Cranbourne clinic, not just emergencies.

Our team provides:

• Rabbit health checks and vaccinations
• Desexing
• Dental examinations and dental procedures
• Management of gut stasis
• Surgical care for complex rabbit cases

Dr Leanne Versteege has extensive experience in rabbit and guinea pig medicine, including advanced dental work that many clinics refer elsewhere.

Early intervention significantly improves rabbit outcomes.

Contact us promptly if your rabbit:

• Stops eating or drinking
• Produces fewer droppings
• Drools or drops food
• Loses weight
• Appears hunched or painful

Rabbits hide illness well – waiting can be dangerous.

If you have questions about rabbit feeding, behaviour, or health or if your rabbit isn’t eating normally, contact our team.

We provide experienced rabbit care with a calm, practical approach and see rabbits from Cranbourne, Clyde, Lynbrook, Seaford and surrounding areas.

Call us or book online for an appointment.