Rabbit Care Advice for South East London Owners: Common Rabbit Health Concerns and Prevention
Quick Answer: Rabbits are prone to dental problems, gut stasis, weight issues, flystrike, parasites and hidden signs of illness. The best prevention includes a high-fibre diet, regular health checks, vaccination, parasite control, good housing, and early veterinary advice if appetite, droppings or behaviour change. Our VIP Bunny plan can help support routine rabbit care.
Introduction
Rabbits can make wonderful companions, but they do have very specific care needs. At Westhorne Veterinary Surgery, we regularly help rabbit owners from Eltham, Mottingham, Lee and across South East London with everything from routine health checks to urgent illnesses. One of the challenges with rabbits is that they often hide signs of discomfort, so problems can go unnoticed until they are more advanced.
Good rabbit care is largely about prevention. Small adjustments to diet, housing, handling and routine healthcare can make a big difference to long-term wellbeing. Our experienced veterinary team often advises local pet owners that the healthiest rabbits are usually those with consistent preventive care, including regular check-ups and prompt attention when habits change. As an RCVS Accredited Practice, we are committed to helping pets through every stage of life with practical, high-quality care.
If you are new to rabbit ownership, or simply want to review your rabbit’s routine, it can also help to explore our wider preventative healthcare support and health checks and clinics.
Main Content
Common rabbit health concerns we see
At Westhorne Veterinary Surgery we regularly help rabbits with a number of common problems. Some are linked to diet and lifestyle, while others are seasonal or develop gradually over time.
- Dental disease: Rabbit teeth grow continuously. If teeth do not wear down properly, they can overgrow and cause pain, drooling, difficulty eating, weight loss or eye problems.
- Gut stasis: This is where the digestive system slows down or stops moving properly. It can be serious and needs prompt veterinary attention. Rabbits may stop eating, produce fewer droppings, seem quiet or sit hunched.
- Obesity: Extra weight can affect mobility, grooming, digestion and general health.
- Flystrike: More common in warmer weather, this happens when flies lay eggs on soiled fur, especially around the rear end. It can become an emergency very quickly.
- Parasites and skin issues: Mites, fleas and other skin problems can cause itching, dandruff, fur loss or irritation.
- Respiratory infections: Sneezing, nasal discharge or noisy breathing should always be checked.
- Urinary issues: Sludgy urine, straining or urine scalding may point to an underlying problem.
In our experience supporting pets across Eltham and South East London, many of these conditions can be reduced or picked up earlier through routine examinations, weight checks and discussing behaviour changes early with a local veterinary team.
Why prevention matters so much for rabbits
Rabbits often become unwell quite subtly. A rabbit that is eating a little less, hiding more, or leaving fewer droppings may already need veterinary attention. That is why prevention is especially important.
Our veterinary team often advises owners to focus on four basics:
- The right diet
- A clean, safe and spacious environment
- Routine vaccinations and health checks
- Fast action if habits change
Diet: the foundation of rabbit health
The single most important part of a rabbit’s diet is hay. Hay should make up the majority of what your rabbit eats every day. It helps keep the gut moving and supports natural tooth wear.
A healthy rabbit diet generally includes:
- Unlimited good-quality hay or grass
- A measured portion of suitable rabbit pellets
- A daily variety of safe leafy greens
- Fresh water at all times
Too many treats, too much muesli-style food, or not enough fibre can contribute to dental disease, digestive problems and obesity. At Westhorne Veterinary Surgery, we commonly see rabbits that seem fussy with hay but are actually filling up on less suitable foods.
If you would like support with your rabbit’s routine care costs, our VIP Bunny plan is designed to help owners stay on top of preventative healthcare.
Housing, exercise and companionship
Rabbits need space to move, stretch, hop and explore. Limited movement can contribute to weight gain, boredom and reduced fitness. Clean housing also helps prevent skin problems, urine scalding and flystrike risk.
We regularly help local pet owners around Westhorne Avenue and South East London review rabbit set-ups that may be affecting health. Good rabbit housing should include:
- Enough room to stand upright, stretch out and move around freely
- A dry, clean resting area
- Daily exercise and enrichment
- Protection from extreme heat and cold
- Regular cleaning of bedding, litter and feeding areas
Rabbits are social animals and often benefit from appropriate companionship, but introductions should be handled carefully.
Vaccination and routine checks
Many local pet owners ask us whether indoor rabbits still need vaccinations. In most cases, yes. Rabbits can still be exposed to infectious disease even if they spend much of their time indoors.
Routine health checks allow us to assess teeth, ears, eyes, coat condition, weight, mobility and general health before obvious illness develops. You can view our broader veterinary services or book an appointment online if your rabbit is due a check-up.
What We Commonly See at Westhorne Veterinary Surgery
One of the most common concerns we hear from rabbit owners in Eltham is, “He seems quieter than normal, but I’m not sure if it’s serious.” With rabbits, smaller behaviour changes can matter.
Many local pet owners ask us about reduced appetite, changes in droppings, messy bottoms, head tilting, overgrown nails, sneezing and reluctance to be handled. We regularly help owners who thought their rabbit was simply being fussy, when in fact there was underlying dental discomfort or digestive upset.
A common misunderstanding is that rabbits naturally smell, regularly get dirty bottoms, or can safely manage on nuggets alone. In reality, a healthy rabbit with the right diet and housing should generally stay quite clean, active and interested in food.
At Westhorne Veterinary Surgery, we regularly help rabbit owners near Westhorne Avenue and across South East London with:
- Early dental changes picked up during routine checks
- Weight management in indoor rabbits with limited activity
- Summer flystrike prevention
- Digestive issues linked to low hay intake
- Advice on cleaning, grooming and parasite prevention
For rabbits needing closer monitoring or treatment, we also provide hospitalisation facilities when ongoing care is required.
Practical Advice
Simple ways to help prevent illness
- Make hay the main part of the diet every day
- Check your rabbit is eating, drinking and passing droppings normally
- Weigh your rabbit regularly if possible
- Keep the rear end clean and dry, especially in warmer weather
- Provide daily exercise and enrichment
- Book routine veterinary health checks
- Keep vaccinations up to date
- Ask about parasite prevention where appropriate
Common mistakes to avoid
- Feeding too many treats or low-fibre foods
- Assuming a rabbit that is quiet is simply resting
- Waiting to see if appetite returns the next day
- Missing subtle dental signs such as dribbling or dropping food
- Using housing that is too small for normal movement
Our experienced veterinary team regularly helps owners make small practical changes that improve rabbit comfort and health over time. If you are unsure about your rabbit’s diet or routine, you can register your pet with us or speak to our team about arranging a health check.
Seasonal rabbit care tips
In summer, flystrike prevention becomes especially important. Check your rabbit’s rear end daily, keep living areas clean, and seek help promptly if you notice soiling, lethargy or reduced appetite.
In winter, make sure rabbits are protected from damp conditions, draughts and sudden temperature drops. Outdoor rabbits still need good ventilation, but they also need dry shelter and suitable bedding.
When To Contact A Vet
Please contact a vet promptly if your rabbit:
- Stops eating or eats much less than normal
- Produces fewer droppings or no droppings
- Seems quiet, hunched or unusually withdrawn
- Has diarrhoea or a messy rear end
- Shows signs of dental discomfort, drooling or difficulty chewing
- Has swelling, discharge from the eyes or nose, or breathing changes
- Develops sudden balance problems or head tilt
- Has skin wounds, maggots, or suspected flystrike
If your rabbit seems suddenly unwell, it is best not to wait. Our veterinary team often advises owners that changes in appetite and droppings in rabbits should always be taken seriously.
If your pet is struggling to breathe, has collapsed, is having a seizure, has eaten something toxic, or is in severe pain, contact a vet immediately. Westhorne Veterinary Surgery provides 24-hour emergency veterinary care for urgent situations.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should my rabbit have a vet check?
Routine checks are important, even if your rabbit seems well. Frequency can vary depending on age and health, but regular preventative visits help spot problems early. Our VIP plans can help owners plan ongoing routine care.
Do rabbits need dental checks if they are still eating?
Yes. Rabbits can continue eating despite dental pain or overgrown teeth. Subtle signs such as slower eating, picking softer foods, weight loss or dribbling may appear first.
What should healthy rabbit droppings look like?
They should usually be round, fairly even in size and passed regularly. Smaller, fewer or misshapen droppings can suggest a problem and should not be ignored.
Is it worth joining a rabbit health plan?
For many owners, yes. Preventative plans can make it easier to keep up with routine care such as vaccinations and health checks. You can explore the VIP Bunny plan if you would like support with ongoing rabbit healthcare.
Can Westhorne Veterinary Surgery help if my rabbit needs more advanced care?
Yes. We provide comprehensive preventative, medical and surgical care, and where appropriate we also offer advanced surgery and medicine services for pets needing further investigation or treatment.
Disclaimer
This article is intended for general guidance only. If your pet is unwell, showing concerning symptoms, or you are unsure what to do, please contact your vet for professional advice.
Book Rabbit Care with Our Local Veterinary Team
If you are looking for practical rabbit care advice in Eltham or across South East London, we are here to help. Whether your rabbit needs a routine check, preventative care support or urgent attention, the team at Westhorne Veterinary Surgery can help you plan the right next steps.
You can book an appointment online, register your pet, explore our VIP Bunny plan, or find our practice on Westhorne Avenue. We are proud to support rabbit owners across Eltham, Lee, Mottingham and the wider South East London area with personal, professional veterinary care.
