Signs of a Healthy Rabbit

1 Signs of a Healthy Rabbit

1. Spirit: a healthy rabbit stays alert to its surroundings, raising and turning its ears at the faintest sound. A sick one becomes dull and slow, barely reacting even when startled.

2. Posture: healthy rabbits move naturally and nimbly, resting with front legs extended and hind legs under the body. A sick rabbit sits abnormally, moving slowly, head tucked, back arched.

3. Ears: healthy ears stand up (except lop breeds) with clean inner shells; a white rabbit’s ears are faintly pink. Sick ears droop with debris; a white rabbit’s ears darken from pink to red.

4. Eyes: healthy eyes are bright, clear of discharge, no tearing. Sick eyes are half-closed, dull, with red conjunctiva and crust.

5. Skin: healthy skin is firm and elastic, no scaling. Sick skin loses elasticity and shows redness, swelling, scabs, or ulcers.

6. Appetite: a healthy rabbit eats eagerly and fusses if fed late; a sick one loses interest or eats little.

7. Water: healthy intake is steady; a sick rabbit drinks more or less as food drops.

8. Droppings: healthy pellets are round or oval, even-sized, smooth. Sick droppings are dry hard grains or formless and foul.

Illness usually shows in outward signs — watch your rabbit’s looks and behavior to catch problems early.