Bunnies are inherently clean animals, and know how to keep themselves tidy. However, we as their owners can do so much to make sure our bunnies are the happiest and healthiest they can be!
Daily Bunny Health Checklist + Things to Look Out For*:
Teeth
properly aligned, neither set growing over each other (good)
bottom growing over top teeth or vice versa (bad)
broken or misaligned teeth (bad)
Fur
thick and lush, natural shine (good)
dull and flat (bad)
patchy or falling out (bad)
Eyes
clear eyes with no sign of injury or discomfort (good)
redness (bad)
visible injury, like a scratch (bad)
discharge or cloudiness (bad)
Nose
clear nose with no discharge, the pink part slightly moist to the touch (good)
excessive sneezing or snorting (bad)
snot and discharge (bad)
Feet
soles well-covered in fur (good)
normal walking/hopping pace (good)
red, raw soles (bad)
hindered from walking, major limping, or splay foot (bad)
Toenails
healthy, nicely trimmed nails (good)
overly long (bad)
preventing bunny from walking normally or causing them to skid (bad)
Posture
upright, alert posture (good)
hunched over or abnormally still (bad)
Temperament
the same awesome bun you know and love (good)
abnormally aggressive (bad)
excessively lethargic or visibly distressed, e.g. panting heavily (bad)
Food
have they eaten in the last 24 hours? (good)
have they stopped eating? (bad)
Water
have they drank within the last 24 hours? (good)
have they stopped drinking? (bad)
Excretion
have they been pooping/urinating regularly and without abnormalities in color or shape? (good)
have they had diarrhea, unusually colored urine, or other symptoms of gut issues? (bad)
Underside/Bottom
is everything clear, normal, and normally shaped/sized? (good)
is there any sign of redness or swelling? (bad)
We hope this checklist helps you keep your bunny healthy, but please do not override a veterinarian's advice with this list. Continue to do routine at-home check-ups for your bun, but never wait until it's too late to visit the vet. It is always better to be safe than sorry.
*NONE of these things on this checklist should be taken more seriously than a vet's professional advice. These are notes from our personal experience, and bunny health depends on environment as well as a wide range of other factors. Contact your veterinarian immediately if your bunny shows any symptoms of sickness.
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