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of their tooth depends on having sufficient hard food to wear down the growth. This is essential to good health. Vets don't like to cut teeth, though will. They actually prefer owners to be caring in the diet that they give their rabbits. Having something to chew is good for them, and here I give mine little blocks of wood, and a square chalk like calcium bar which is hard and he seems to love chewing. I also ensure that his diet contains hard grain and things that work the teeth. Not eating can be a sign that the tooth has grown too long, and this really must be sorted before it becomes a discomfort for the rabbit.

Soft Stools.

This is normally a sign that the rabbit is not getting the right diet. High carbohydrate in the diet can cause a soft poo that gives off quite a nasty odour. To correct this, feeding the rabbit with a good balanced diet is the answer.

Urinary Disease.

Here, giving your rabbit sufficient water is essential. My rabbit has been extremely ill lately, and one of the main stipulations of the vet was not to make matters worse, and to ensure that the rabbit always had water available and was encouraged to drink it. Insufficient water can cause pain, and urinary infections that are pretty nasty and difficult for poor bunny.

Heat stricken Rabbits.

Imagine what it's like to be a big ball of fur, in the heat of the summer. Often, my rabbit lies on its' side on the tiling floor and I came to recognise that this was his way of cooling down. Never shock a rabbit by inducing coolness with ice cubes or have any ideas that this will help. Usually a rabbit can cope with heat, but a damp towel will help to cool him down without shock.

Nail Clipping.

Long nails on a little creature like this can hurt him. Make sure that you cut the nails regularly or if you are unable to, that a vet does.

If in doubt.

Once you get to know your rabbit, you will know when he is ill. Mine has been very ill and has hardened lungs which I cannot do very much about. When they become a problem for his breathing, the vet does give him anti inflammatory drugs and anti biotics, and it is sad to see a rabbit poorly, though sometimes I have to trust my vet to know what is good for him.

Care is essential. Brushing is essential, and watching out for any changes in the behaviour of bunny can make the suffering less. They are small creatures. Mine is a miniature and though it has an ornery character, nothing satisfies me more than knowing that I am there to help him when he has difficulties. The vet has told me to watch out for any sign of eye problems, since these indicate teeth problems that are serious, though fortunately, this has never happened in his case.

Treat your rabbit with respect, and let it enjoy you as an owner, as much as you enjoy it as a pet.

Learn more about this author, Rachelle de Bretagne.
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