Caring for a pet rabbit - expert advice

When all is going well rabbits are easy to care for but they can get ill quickly and die from lifestyle afflictions that are easily preventable. Veterinary surgeon Iain Booth offers his expert tips on how look after your pet

Too many people decide to buy a rabbit on impulse, particularly at Easter, and think that they can just be left in a hutch at the bottom of the garden with a carrot. Wrong.

Recent research has shown that the over half domestic rabbits in the UK lifespan is cut short because of bad nutrition and neglect. Make sure yours isn't one.

With any pet you have to think about how they act in the wild, this is when it will be at its happiest. Rabbits are social animals used to living in large families, they like to play, forage and require a structured diet to ensure their digestive system is kept healthy.

When choosing a rabbit make sure it appears 'well', it should be lively with no discharges from eyes, nose or bottom end. Don't be tempted by the cute one that hangs back from the group and looks 'sad' as it could well be showing the first signs of ill health. Ideally, they should be bought and kept in pairs, it will make for much happier bunny.

Housing the rabbit

You need to make sure you have a suitable home for the rabbit. Be realistic about the space you have, rabbits need to be kept clean so it is best to choose a housing method that fits in with your lifestyle.

While it is great for your rabbit to have access to fresh grass and outdoors, the run area needs to be kept clean which means regular moving. Dirty, soiled grass will become smelly and attracts flies, increasing the risk of fly strike during the spring and summer months.

Your rabbit will need warm, wind and rain-proof sleeping quarters which should be filled with suitable bedding to keep your pet warm and dry. Rabbits do not tolerate high temperatures and during the summer it is important to make sure the hutch is well ventilated and that your rabbit has access to a shady area.

During the cold winter, if your rabbit's hutch is outdoors, a smaller box or two placed on their side inside the sleeping area and then filled with bedding material will provide extra warmth.