Why a Weekly Health Check Can Save Your Rabbit's Life
Rabbits are prey animals, and prey animals are hardwired to hide illness. By the time a rabbit looks sick, they're often seriously ill. This is one of the most important things every rabbit owner needs to understand: you cannot wait for obvious symptoms. By the time your rabbit stops eating, is hunched in a corner, or is grinding their teeth in pain, you may already be in emergency territory.
That's why a simple weekly health check at home is so valuable. It takes about 10 minutes once you get the hang of it, and it helps you catch problems early — when they're treatable rather than critical. I've been doing weekly checks on my rabbits for years, and twice it's helped me catch issues before they became emergencies.
Before You Start: Making It Stress-Free
Rabbits don't love being examined, so approach this calmly and gently. A few tips:
- Do the check when your rabbit is already relaxed — after a meal or during their quiet time
- Work on the floor or a low, non-slip surface. Never a high table where they could jump off and injure their spine
- Have a helper if possible, especially when you're first learning
- Keep treats nearby for positive associations
- Don't force it — if your rabbit is panicking, take a break and try again later
- The whole process should take 5-10 minutes max
Over time, most rabbits learn to tolerate the routine, especially if it ends with a favorite treat.
The Weekly Health Check: Step by Step
1. Overall Behavior and Energy
Before you even pick up your rabbit, observe them. This is actually the most telling part of the health check.
- Are they eating normally? Approaching food with their usual enthusiasm?
- Are their activity levels typical? Are they moving around, or unusually lethargic?
- Are they drinking water regularly?
- Have their droppings changed in size, shape, quantity, or consistency?
You know your rabbit's personality better than anyone. A normally energetic rabbit who's suddenly sitting quietly in a corner is telling you something. Trust your instincts — if something feels off, it probably is.
2. Eyes
Gently look at both eyes. Healthy rabbit eyes should be:
- Bright, clear, and alert
- Free of discharge or crustiness
- No redness, swelling, or cloudiness
- Both eyes should look the same — asymmetry can indicate a problem
Red flags: Watery or goopy discharge, squinting, one eye appearing larger or smaller, or visible cloudiness. Eye issues can indicate infections, dental problems (rabbit tooth roots sit very close to the tear ducts), or injury.
3. Ears
Check both ears, inside and out. For lop-eared breeds, gently lift the ear flap to look inside.
- Inside should be clean and pale pink
- No excessive wax buildup, discharge, or odor
- No scabbing, crusting, or flakiness
- Your rabbit shouldn't be scratching their ears excessively or shaking their head
Red flags: Crusty, scabby inner ears could indicate ear mites. Foul smell or discharge suggests infection. Head tilt (holding the head at an angle) is a serious symptom that warrants an immediate vet visit — it can indicate an inner ear infection or the parasitic condition E. cuniculi.
4. Nose
A healthy rabbit nose should be clean and dry or very slightly moist. Watch for:
- No discharge — clear or colored
- No sneezing (occasional sneezes are fine, but frequent sneezing is concerning)
- No audible breathing sounds — rabbits are obligate nose breathers, and any wheezing, clicking, or labored breathing is a red flag
Red flags: White or colored nasal discharge, frequent sneezing, or matted fur on the inside of the front paws (rabbits wipe their nose with their paws, so matted paws often indicate nasal issues). These can indicate an upper respiratory infection called "snuffles," caused by Pasteurella bacteria, which needs veterinary treatment.
5. Teeth
You can check the front incisors by gently pulling back the lips. This is easier with a helper.
- Top front teeth should be straight and slightly overlap the bottom teeth
- Teeth should not be overgrown, broken, or misaligned
- No drooling or wet chin ("slobbers")
- Gums should be pink, not red or swollen
You can't easily see the back molars at home — that's what vet visits are for. But front tooth issues are often visible and can give you early warning.
Red flags: Overgrown incisors, teeth growing at odd angles, wet chin from drooling, or difficulty eating (dropping food, eating only soft items, or favoring one side). Dental problems are common in rabbits and can become very serious. See a rabbit-savvy vet for any dental concerns.
6. Fur and Skin
Run your hands over your rabbit's entire body, feeling for lumps, bumps, or areas of sensitivity.
- Fur should be smooth and even (accounting for normal molting patterns)
- No bald patches, flakiness, or dandruff
- No lumps or swelling under the skin
- No scratching or signs of irritation
Red flags: Bald patches could indicate mites, ringworm, over-grooming from stress, or barbering. Large flakes of dandruff, especially along the spine, can indicate fur mites ("walking dandruff"). Any new lump should be checked by a vet — abscesses are common in rabbits.
7. Feet and Nails
Check all four feet, including the bottoms (soles).
- Soles should have a thick layer of fur — no bare, red, or calloused patches
- Nails should be a reasonable length, not curling or catching on things
- No swelling between toes
Red flags: Red, raw, or calloused patches on the soles are sore hocks (pododermatitis), often caused by wire flooring, inadequate bedding, or obesity. Overgrown nails need trimming — if you're not comfortable doing it yourself, your vet or a rabbit-experienced groomer can help.
8. Bottom and Scent Glands
This isn't the most glamorous part, but it's important. Gently check the area around your rabbit's tail and genitals.
- The area should be clean and dry
- No matted or soiled fur
- No fly eggs or maggots (flystrike is fatal if untreated)
- Scent glands on either side of the genitals may accumulate a waxy, smelly substance that needs occasional cleaning
Red flags: A dirty bottom can attract flies, leading to flystrike — this is a genuine emergency. Diarrhea or consistently soft stool needs veterinary attention. Redness or swelling in the genital area should also be checked.
9. Weight
Weigh your rabbit weekly on a kitchen scale or small pet scale. Record the weight so you can track trends.
- Adult rabbits should maintain a relatively stable weight
- A 10% weight change in either direction warrants attention
- You should be able to feel the ribs with gentle pressure but they shouldn't be visible
Red flags: Rapid weight loss is often the first sign of serious illness, including dental disease, GI issues, or organ problems. Gradual weight gain usually indicates overfeeding, and obesity brings its own set of health problems.
When to Call the Vet Immediately
Some findings during your health check warrant an urgent vet visit — don't wait:
- Not eating or drinking for more than 12 hours
- No droppings for more than 12 hours
- Labored breathing or open-mouth breathing
- Head tilt
- Sudden inability to use back legs
- Fly eggs or maggots on the body
- Severe diarrhea (not just soft cecotropes)
- Obvious pain — grinding teeth loudly, hunched posture, pressing belly to the ground
- Any collapse or seizure
Rabbits are classified as exotic pets, which means not every vet is qualified to treat them. Find a rabbit-savvy veterinarian before you have an emergency. The House Rabbit Society maintains a vet listing, or ask local rabbit rescue groups for recommendations.
Keeping a Health Log
I keep a simple notebook where I jot down the date, weight, and any observations from each weekly check. It might seem like overkill, but having a record is invaluable when you visit the vet. Being able to say "she lost 50 grams over the past three weeks" is much more useful than "I think she might have lost weight." A simple spreadsheet or note on your phone works just as well.
The Big Picture
Weekly home checks don't replace regular veterinary visits. Plan for at least one annual wellness exam with a rabbit-savvy vet, and twice yearly for rabbits over 5 years old. But combining professional care with your own weekly monitoring creates a safety net that catches problems early, when treatment is most effective and least expensive.
Your rabbit depends on you to notice when something's wrong. Spending 10 minutes a week on a gentle health check is one of the most impactful things you can do as a rabbit owner. And honestly? Once it becomes routine, it's just another way to bond with your bunny.