How to Care For An Older Rabbit

House rabbits, the third-most popular pet in the United States, are popular for a plethora of reasons, especially their distinct, individual personalities and sociability. Rabbits, particularly those who live indoors, can have a lifespan of 10 years or more. As rabbits begin to age, however, they need more specialized care to ensure they continue to be healthy and comfortable.

Things You'll Need

  • Rabbit-savvy veterinarian
  • Litter box
  • Carpet or artificial sheep skin
  • Timothy hay-based pellets
  • Timothy hay or orchard grass
  • Vaseline
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Instructions

  1. How to Care For An Older Rabbit

    • 1

      Once the rabbit reaches 6 years old, take it to a rabbit-savvy veterinarian every year for an annual exam. Make sure that your vet checks for arthritis, a common ailment in elder bunnies. If your rabbit has arthritis, you will need to adjust its lifestyle. The vet may also be able to give the rabbit pain medication to help ease the pain.

    • 2

      Regardless of the type of litter you use, pad your house rabbit's litter box with extra hay. The extra padding will allow it relief from the hard surface of the litter box.

    • 3

      Make it easier for your bunny to hop into the litter box. Actually getting into the litter box is easy for most young rabbits, but as a rabbit gets older, it may have more difficulty. Consider cutting the front of the litter box off, so your rabbit can just walk into it.

    • 4

      Some older rabbits lose weight as they age. To combat the weight loss, add extra pellets, preferably high quality Timothy hay-based pellets, to your rabbit's diet. If your rabbit becomes too thin, however, take it to a rabbit-savvy vet. Significant weight loss is often a sign of a health problem.

    • 5

      Put carpet or artificial sheepskin on the floor, particularly on laminate and other slippery surfaces, to allow your older rabbit an easier time when hopping. Your rabbit may have easily been able to hop and run across tiled or hardwood floors when it was younger, but as an older rabbit, it may have difficulty on such surfaces.

    • 6

      Provide your elder bunny with a comfortable place to sleep. For example, if your rabbit prefers to sleep on the floor and you have hardwood floors, put carpet, artificial sheepskin, or a blanket down for it to lie on.

    • 7

      Regularly check for sores on your rabbit's paws. Sores are common as rabbits age. To prevent irritation and to keep the skin soft, gently run Vaseline on your older rabbit's feet. If the sores don't get better, schedule an appointment with a rabbit-savvy vet.

    • 8

      Always be observant. Remember, rabbits are prey animals who often hide their illnesses until it's too late. Knowing your house rabbit's personality will make it much easier for you to spot when something is wrong.