Rabbits

Contrary to popular belief, rabbits are not rodents. Rabbits have six incisors, while rodents have two Rabbits are also not meant to live only in cages. They are similar to cats, in that you can train them to use a litter box and to roam freely throughout your house without munching on everything.

At l’Hôpital vétérinaire Animo-Vet, we love taking care of your pet rabbit and are happy to advise you on its unique needs.

Spaying and Neutering Rabbits

You should have your rabbit fixed between 6 and 9 months old so that it can recover quicker. Neutering male rabbits not only prevents overpopulation but also greatly reduces the risk of aggression and urine marking. Spaying female rabbits make reproduction impossible, of course, but it also reduces the risk of infection and reproductive system tumors (uterine cancer).

Can I vaccinate my rabbit?

Currently, there are no vaccinations for pet rabbits.

Why does my rabbit need constant access to hay?

Timothy hay is an essential part of your rabbit’s diet. It promotes healthy tooth wear, and your rabbit should have access to some at all times. Teeth that do not develop normally can injure your pet’s cheeks and tongue and can also lead to infection, abscesses, pain or difficulty eating.

Alfalfa hay, on the other hand, contains a large amount of calcium and protein and should only be given to young rabbits or pregnant rabbits.

My rabbit is eating its droppings. Is this normal?

It is perfectly normal, and even beneficial, for rabbits to eat their own feces (“coprophagia”). At night, rabbits produce cecotropes, a special kind of stool that is shiny, wet, soft and clustered. This type of stool has gone through a different digestive tract and is still full of many proteins and vitamins. Rabbits, therefore, ingest them directly through the anus and digest them a second time in order to absorb all of the nutrients.