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White Cross Happy Hoppers - Rabbit Tips & Advice

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White Cross Happy Hoppers - Rabbit Tips & Advice

This page is dedicated to providing tips and advice to help you keep a happy, healthy rabbit!
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Advice will range from diet and housing, to how you can keep your rabbit safe throughout the firework seasons!

10/06/2024

important advice from the RWAF ⬇️🐰

22/04/2024

Arthritis is very common in our rabbits, but often goes un-diagnosed 😔 Please don't hesitate to call if you are concerned your bunny may have OA - we have a questionnaire here at Sheffield to help in diagnosing this condition as they are very good at hiding pain, therefore rely on you to spot the signs. 🐰💙

There are ways to manage OA in rabbits, including supplements, pain relief and adjustments to their accommodation. 🥰

19/04/2024

Just a simple monthly payment and you have peace of mind knowing consultations are covered 🐰💚

25/01/2024

Last week we had this beautiful little ball of fluff Tutu in to be neutered 😍
Her surgery went well and she went home later that day 🥰
We always aim to make their environment as stress free as possible, which is why you can see Tutu enjoying her little hide ✨💛

There are many reasons why we recommend neutering your rabbits ⬇️
✔️ vital for bonding - especially in mixed s*x pairs
✔️ prevent unwanted litters - rabbit pregnancies only last around 31 days and they are able to mate again immediately after giving birth!
✔️ Un-spayed females are at very high risk of uterine cancer and pyometra (infection of the uterus/womb)
✔️ reduce aggression

These are just a few of the reasons! 🐰

15/12/2023

Christmas hazards for your bunny ⬇️
It is also worth considering how your rabbits will react to a busy household around Christmas too, as this can cause some stress!🐰

02/11/2023

Some tips for Bonfire Night! ⬇️🎇

🔹 If their enclosure is outside, partly cover it with blankets to limit your rabbits' exposure to bright flashes and loud noises.

🔹 Provide them with some extra bedding - this will allow them to burrow and hopefully help them to feel more comfortable.

🔹 Put them in their enclosure earlier to give them chance to settle down before the fireworks begin!

🔹 If their enclosure is indoors, ensure all curtains and windows are closed to reduce exposure to light and sound. Consider staying at home too as your presence can often be a comfort ❤️

🔹 If you are considering bringing your outdoor rabbit inside for bonfire night, consider the temperature indoors as a drastic change can be quite stressful too!

🔹 Consider calming sprays like Pet Remedy to help reduce anxiety.

If you are concerned about how your rabbit will cope with the fireworks, please give us a call and we are more than happy to offer advice! 😊

12/10/2023

Spooky Season 🎃

What risks can Halloween pose to our bunnies? 🐰

Ensure their enclosure if secure and ideally in a space away from tick or treaters as frequent visitors may cause stress to your rabbits, especially if accompanied by loud noises! 🤫 This is particularly important if outdoors as young children will love the site of a cute bunny and may be tempted to approach! 🐰

Halloween decorations should be kept out of reach from your bunnies as these can be a potential choking hazard if chewed! Electrical wires from lights etc. must also either be protected or kept out of reach! 😊

As a Halloween treat, your bunny would love a nibble of pumpkin flesh! 🥰🎃 Remember to avoid feeding the seeds and pumpkin skin to your bunnies as these can be a choking hazard!

04/08/2023

Beautiful Brussel after his neuter last week 😍🐰 (yes his companion is called Sprout!😂) We always ensure our bunnies feel as relaxed as possible when here - Brussel had plenty of space to hop around (and chill out as you can see!), along with hiding areas and enrichment like hay stuffed boxes and toilet rolls! 🥰

His surgery went very well and he recovered just fine, eating hay and leafy greens, and his own diet fetched in by his owner. 🥰🥦

02/08/2023

Waving at us in the video below is a mite! 😮👋

Mites are tiny creatures that live in rabbits’ fur. They feed on skin and fur cells and can cause irritation on the skin. They can also be found in the ears! 🐰

Your rabbit may or may not seem itchy with mites. You will notice some dandruff in their fur, and if some of the dandruff is put under a microscope it will be possible to see that it’s moving, because the dandruff is made up of dead cells and mites themselves.

Treatment for mites is often straightforward - it can be via a spot-on liquid onto the rabbit’s skin, which often needs repeating after a couple of weeks. 😊

30/06/2023

What happens after surgery? 🐰

This post will offer some advice and tips on how to care for your rabbit after their operation 🥰⬇️

🐰 Cage rest - It is important to keep your bunny rested after surgery, this usually involves confining them to a smaller area to prevent too much running and jumping. Usually 3 days for males and 5-6 days for females is enough! 😊
🐰 Avoid using sawdust for a few days after surgery as this can stick to their wounds and cause irritation or interference! Towels or blankets are a good alternative. 😊
🐰 It is important your rabbit continues to eat and pass faeces as normal after surgery. 🥦 Food and water should be offered immediately, along with hay, and you should monitor their toileting closely.
🐰 Pain relief should be administered as advised by your vet. 😊💊
🐰 We recommend checking your rabbit's wound at least twice daily to ensure it looks ok - for example, does it look swollen?

Did you know ❓ Male rabbits aren't sterile immediately after castration - this means they must be kept separate from un-spayed females for up to 6 weeks post surgery!

It may be required to separate your rabbits for a few days post surgery to allow for recovery - you should always ensure they can still see and smell each other throughout this period. 😊

29/06/2023

Castration 🐰

Below are some important reasons for why you shoulder neuter your male rabbit ⬇️

🐰 Prevent unwanted litters if paired with a female.
🐰 Entire males will often spray urine over their territory, their possessions and companions, and unfortunately very often over you! 😦
🐰 Un-neutered males occasionally develop cancer in their te**es and prostate gland. Whilst the risk of this is small, castration removes that risk.
🐰 Litter training is usually much easier if castrated.
🐰 Some un-neutered males can often be aggressive. After castration, testosterone levels will fall dramatically and should help in reducing this.
🐰 Entire male rabbits are unable to live bonded with any other rabbit safely, even if they are litter mates! 😞

Sadly, we have seen the consequences of keeping two un-neutered rabbits together 😔 The injuries are severe and extremely traumatic for both the rabbit and you as an owner! This is why it is important to help spread awareness about this topic! 🤞

28/06/2023

Spaying 🐰

There are many reasons (both health and behavioural) why we recommend spaying your rabbit. Check out the information below ⬇️

🐰 Un-spayed females are at very high risk of uterine cancer and pyometra (infection of the uterus/womb), both of these conditions can be fatal. They may also develop mammary tumours.
🐰 As mentioned yesterday, many will have repeated phantom pregnancies (particularly in Spring/Summer) which can be quite distressing for them. We will often see them pulling their fur out to make a nest, along with some aggressive behaviours!
🐰 Keeping two un-spayed females together, even if they are sisters, will more than likely result in serious fighting and injuries! 😞
🐰 Female rabbits are able to have kits from about 5-6 months of age.
🐰 Rabbit pregnancies are short (approximately 31 days) and there are several kits to each litter.

Did you know that females are able to mate again immediately after they have given birth!? 😮

Please give us a call if you require any advice regarding this topic! 😊🐰

27/06/2023

Introduction to Neutering 🐰

We will start off Rabbit Awareness Week by taking you through the importance of neutering, along with the health and behavioural benefits! 😊

So, why neuter your rabbit? ⬇️

🐰 Rabbits must be neutered in order to live in pairs or groups!
companions, and very often over you! 😮
🐰 Both male and female rabbits can be aggressive and territorial. Many females will have repeated phantom pregnancies and may growl, lunge at, scratch or bite you, or other rabbits, particularly in spring and summer! ☀️
🐰 Litter training is often much easier if neutered.
🐰 Prevent unwanted litters if you have a male/female pair!

We will discuss more gender specific reasons for neutering your rabbits over the next couple of days! 😊

26/06/2023

🐰 Rabbit Awareness Week 🐰

This week is Rabbit Awareness Week, and the theme for 2023 is 'Neutering: Protect & Prevent.' 😊

Over the next few days we will be providing all the information you need to know about the benefits of neutering your rabbits, the operation itself, and what you need to do as an owner. 😊 Please help to spread awareness by sharing our posts! 🥰🐰

29/05/2023

Common outdoor hazards for your bunny 🚫🐰

The warmer weather usually means your rabbits will spend more time outside exploring the garden! 🐰🌱 However this time of year can also present some potential risks too ⬇️

Fly strike 🪰 - You should check your rabbits for signs of fly strike daily, and more often in warm weather. Help prevent fly strike in rabbits by cleaning their hutch frequently, remove soiled bedding each day, using a preventive spray, and feeding your rabbit a healthy diet.

Flowers 🌼 - All bulb-grown plants are toxic to rabbits, so be sure to keep them away from bluebells, crocuses, daffodils, hyacinths, irises, lilies, snowdrops and tulips. Other flowers poisonous to rabbits include azaleas, buttercups, delphiniums, poppies, primroses, rhododendrons and especially foxgloves. Rabbits have sensitive stomachs and can’t vomit, so they are particularly susceptible to poisoning. 🌾🌸

Grass cuttings 🌱 - Although rabbits love to eat grass and hay, grass cuttings from the mower or compost heap can be dangerous. The heat from a lawnmower causes the grass to start fermenting – this process can then continue in the gut, giving your bunny an upset tummy.

Chemicals ⚠️ - Common garden products that could harm your rabbits include w**d killers, fertilisers, fungicides, insecticides, slug pellets and rodent bait. Some popular fruit and vegetable plants are also toxic to rabbits, so be sure to plant things like garlic, onions, potatoes, aubergines, rhubarb and tomatoes where your rabbits can’t nibble their leaves.

25/05/2023

Keeping your bunnys cool through summer! 🐰☀️

A rabbit’s ideal outdoor temperature is between 12° to 21°C, anything above 30°C will significantly increase their chance of heat stroke! 😞

If your rabbits are outdoors, ensure their enclosure has all-day shade and plenty of ventilation, as well as a constant supply of fresh water.

On hot days, placing ice packs beneath your rabbits’ enclosure will help to cool the area from the bottom up. Make sure your bunnies also have access to cool water by adding two to three ice cubes to their water dispenser. During particularly warm weather you can freeze a water bottle, wrap it in an old towel and place it in the enclosure to create a cool spot for your rabbits to lie against! 🥰

Using an ice cube tray to create healthy frozen treats is also a great way to keep your bunny cool! 😊☀️

23/05/2023

Companionship 🥰🐰

Rabbits are social animals and most will enjoy the companionship of at least one other rabbit! 😊 Rabbits usually get on well with others when they are neutered and have been properly introduced. They should have an enclosure big enough to rest together or apart if they chose. 😊

Rabbits that have been incorrectly introduced may display fear and behavioural issues. Frightened rabbits will show signs such as thumping, flattening their ears, hiding or flattening themselves to the ground with minimal nose twitching. 😞

A companion should be chosen carefully and with a gradual introduction performed on neutral territory to maximise the chances of a successful bonding! 🐰

04/05/2023

Providing for your rabbits’ natural behaviour 🌿🐰

Rabbits are crepuscular - this means they are active at dawn, dusk and overnight too! 🌛 This is why they need constant access to their safe enclosure and to be able to perform their natural behaviours. 🥰

Natural behaviours include:
🔹Digging
🔹Foraging
🔹Hiding
🔹Running
🔹Standing on their hind limbs

You must ensure your rabbits get enough mental, social and physical stimulation to satisfy their needs. Enrichment can include:

🔸Safe toys and puzzles to encourage foraging
🔸Toilet rolls stuffed with hay
🔸Raised platforms to explore
🔸An area where they can dig

Check out Bobby in the video below enjoying spending time in his dig box foraging! 😍⬇️

02/05/2023

Providing a suitable environment for your bunny 💛😊

All rabbits need a safe and clean environment and to be protected from hazards! Hazards may include garden chemicals, toxic plants, electric cabling or open windows. 😳

Rabbits are a prey species so their enclosure must be secure enough to protect them from predators such as dogs, cats, foxes or birds of prey. 🦅

Your rabbits should have a safe and comfortable place to rest. You must provide plenty of hides with escape routes so they have places to go if feel threatened. 🙂🐰

Rabbits are very inquisitive and athletic. They need opportunities to run, jump, dig and forage. Boredom in rabbits can lead to stress and illness. All rabbits require a large space in which to exercise and display these natural behaviours. 🐰🌳

RWAF recommend the minimum dimensions for housing are 3 x 2 x 1m (L x W x H). This area should allow permanent access to to both a safe shelter to rest and an exercise area safe from predators! 🥰🐰

17/04/2023

Obesity 🐰❗️

Rabbits can easily become obese if fed an incorrect diet and don’t get enough exercise! This is serious for rabbits as it can lead to problems such as flystrike and gut stasis. 🙁

Due to rabbits often being so fluffy, we must feel their body in order to determine if they are an ideal weight. Their hip bones, ribs and spine should be felt easily but feel rounded. There should be no abdominal bulge and their rump area should be flat! 😊

More often than not it is simple changes that need to be made to a rabbit's life style in order to encourage weight loss. This could be a change of diet, reduction in nuggets and treats, cutting out certain foods and encouraging more exercise. 🥗

If you are concerned about your rabbit’s weight and would like their body condition assessing, please give us a call and we can arrange this for you! 😁🐰

12/04/2023

Flystrike 🪰❌

As we will soon be approaching some warmer weather (hopefully!) it is important to check your rabbits for any signs of fly strike and be aware of how to prevent it! 😊

Flystrike occurs when flies lay eggs on your rabbit, most commonly around their rear, which then hatch into maggots and they begin eating the flesh of the poor rabbit! 😫 This often occurs in overweight rabbits who struggle to groom themselves and leave behind their caecotrophs. 🙁

You should check your rabbit twice daily in warm weather, and once daily in the colder weather to ensure they are clean and dry. You must also ensure their run/enclosure is kept clean too. 🐰 If you suspect your rabbit has flystrike, you must contact us immediately! ❗️

There are products available to help in preventing this condition, so please give us a call if you require any advice regarding flystrike!

07/04/2023

How can you increase your rabbit's hay intake? 🌱🐰

Hay is a vital part of a rabbit's diet - the chewing action wears down their teeth and reduced the risk of dental problems. The fibre also ensures that a rabbit's gut keeps moving and reduces the risk of gut stasis. 😊

Here are some tips to help increase hay intake ⬇️

🌿 Ensure the hay is a good quality, tasty option - good quality hay is often quite green in colour and fragrant, as opposed to dusty and pale like bedding hay.
🌿 Change the location - rabbits love to eat while they use their toilet and rest.
🌿 Enrichment - filling cardboard tubes with hay is a great way to encourage intake and provides stimulation too!
🌿 Mixing their nugget allowance and greens into the hay will encourage forage and therefore hay intake!

05/04/2023

Selective Feeding - Muesli Diets 🐰❌

Selective feeding happens when rabbits chose some components of the muesli style diet in preference to the others. Rabbits will naturally select the higher energy parts (the tasty bits!) and leave behind the pellets. 😮

This results in an un-balanced diet as the pellets contain minerals and vitamins and are often high in fibre! 😊

Selective feeding can result in the following issues:
🔸 Dental disease
🔸 Gut stasis/other digestive issues
🔸 Fly strike - due to caecotrophs not being eaten
🔸 Lack of fibre
🔸 Reduced water intake - increasing the risk of urinary problems
🔸 Obesity

85-90% of a rabbit's diet should be feeding hay and fresh grass! 🌿 Along with a constant supply of fresh, clean water. 💦

Please give us a call if you require an appointment to discuss your rabbit's diet, we are more than happy to help 🥰

21/02/2023

It's not just cats and dogs that need their teeth caring for, your rabbits do too! 🐰

Teeth grow continuously throughout a rabbit’s life. They are worn down at the tops by the action of chewing.

The back teeth (molars) are used for grinding down hay and other fibrous foods. The incisors are used for snipping off pieces of grass, hay and other plants before passing food backwards to the molars for chewing. 🌿

Hay contains a special sort of fibre called ‘long fibre’. It’s extremely important for the gut to work properly, but also for your rabbit’s teeth. The action of chewing side to side is what wears the molars down. No other food does this. Other foods aren’t chewed with the same side-to-side action and therefore don’t have the same effect. 🙂

Check out Willow and Bramble in the video below enjoying their hay! ⬇😍

07/02/2023

Nardo and Noah visited our nurse yesterday for a routine nail clip 🐰🥰

With rabbits our aim is to always make their visits as stress free as possible! Both enjoyed a wander around the consult room, with enrichment to investigate and pet remedy spray to reduce anxiety 😊 Noah even stopped for a quick groom! 😍🐰

08/12/2022

What Christmas treats SHOULDN'T you feed your rabbit? 🐰⚠️

Honey-glazed veg 🥕 We already know that cooked vegetables should not be fed to your bunnies, but you should also note that any vegetables glazed in honey or other sweet sauces could lead to life-threatening colic in your bunnies. This is because ingesting any processed sugar can create a fatal build-up of gas in rabbits’ stomachs. 🙁

One of the best things about our traditional Christmas roast can be the stuffing and roast potatoes! 🤤 Breadcrumbs are too high in carbohydrates for rabbits and they wouldn't enjoy the seasoning! Even when raw, potatoes are too rich in starch and sugar for a rabbit’s delicate digestive system!

The following are also poisonous and should never be fed to your rabbit ⬇️

⚠️Allium vegetables, such as chives, garlic, onions and shallots
⚠️Avocado
⚠️Chocolate
⚠️Fruit pips
⚠️Mushrooms
⚠️Potato leaves
⚠️Rhubarb
⚠️Sugary, processed foods

06/12/2022

What Christmas treats can bunnies have? 😍🐰

While some Christmas foods are bad for rabbits, it doesn’t mean your bunnies need to miss out on all treats during the festive season. There is plenty of rabbit-friendly food that they’ll love as a treat – including some of the stuff that’s going onto your plate! 😍🐰

Carrots 🥕 - these are high in sugar and should only be given occasionally, making them a perfect Christmas treat!

Broccoli 🥦 is irresistible to rabbit taste buds, and it’s fine to feed it to them regularly.

Brussels sprouts may not be for everyone, but as rabbit food they will be gobbled up!🤩 Just be sure to feed them to your bunnies in small amounts. If too many are consumed, sprouts can cause gas to form in a rabbit’s stomach, which can be dangerous!

Cauliflower - the leaves are particularly tasty for bunnies, so be sure to save these when preparing your Christmas dinner! 😍

(please remember these should be fed raw, not cooked!)

22/11/2022

🐰 Senior Rabbits 🐰

It is important to take your rabbit's life stage into consideration when choosing things like their diet and housing set up. 🥦 As a rough guide, a small breed rabbit is considered senior at 8 years old, a medium breed at 6 years old, and a large breed at 4 years old 🙂

The following signs could indicate your bunny is suffering from arthritis ⬇
🔹 Difficulty grooming
🔹 Hesitating with steps/ladders
🔹 Jumping less or binkying
🔹 Leaving caecotrophs behind
🔹 A change in behaviour, e.g. reluctant to jump into their toilet

If you have noticed any of these signs then please call us to arrange an appointment for your bunny checking over, as there are treatment options available! 🙂🐰

07/11/2022

Check out this triangle below as a guide for your rabbit’s diet! ⬇️

🔺 5% good quality commercial diet suitable for your rabbit’s life stage - as a guide we recommend 1tbsp/kg of ideal bodyweight per day
🔺 10% leafy greens, a pile approximately the size of their head each day
🔺 85% fresh hay - rabbits should always have a constant supply of this

🍎🍊 Fruit is high in sugar so we recommend avoid this and stick to healthy treats like forage. 🍃

05/11/2022

Signs of stress! 🎆🐰

The fireworks tonight will be stressful for a lot of pets, but in particular the small furries! 🐰
Listed below are some signs that your bunny may be stressed ⬇️

🐰 Stamping back feet
🐰 Restlessness or appearing motionless/frozen
🐰 Trying to escape
🐰 Aggression
🐰 Grinding their teeth
🐰 Reduced appetite
🐰 Change in toilet habits

Use extra blankets to cover the hutch (be sure to leave gaps for ventilation) and extra straw for your rabbit to burrow and hide. Check on them regularly throughout the evening too! If you are able to, you can bring your rabbit inside, however you must ensure the environment is not too warm as a drastic change in temperature can also cause stress. 🐰

Address

155-159 Retford Road
Sheffield

Opening Hours

Monday	8:30am - 7pm
Tuesday	8:30am - 7pm
Wednesday	8:30am - 7pm
Thursday	8:30am - 7pm
Friday	8:30am - 7pm
Saturday	8:30am - 12:30pm

Telephone

+441144786999

Website

https://www.whitecrossvets.co.uk/our-surgeries/sheffield-handsworth/

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Videos

Mites

Waving at us in the video below is a mite! 😮👋 Mites are tiny creatures that live in rabbits’ fur. They feed on skin and fur cells and can cause irritation on the skin. They can also be found in the ears! 🐰 Your rabbit may or may not seem itchy with mites. You will notice some dandruff in their fur, and if some of the dandruff is put under a microscope it will be possible to see that it’s moving, because the dandruff is made up of dead cells and mites themselves. Treatment for mites is often straightforward - it can be via a spot-on liquid onto the rabbit’s skin, which often needs repeating after a couple of weeks. 😊

Bobby Foraging

Providing for your rabbits’ natural behaviour 🌿🐰 Rabbits are crepuscular - this means they are active at dawn, dusk and overnight too! 🌛 This is why they need constant access to their safe enclosure and to be able to perform their natural behaviours. 🥰 Natural behaviours include: 🔹Digging 🔹Foraging 🔹Hiding 🔹Running 🔹Standing on their hind limbs You must ensure your rabbits get enough mental, social and physical stimulation to satisfy their needs. Enrichment can include: 🔸Safe toys and puzzles to encourage foraging 🔸Toilet rolls stuffed with hay 🔸Raised platforms to explore 🔸An area where they can dig Check out Bobby in the video below enjoying spending time in his dig box foraging! 😍⬇️

Rabbit Dental Health!

It's not just cats and dogs that need their teeth caring for, your rabbits do too! 🐰 Teeth grow continuously throughout a rabbit’s life. They are worn down at the tops by the action of chewing. The back teeth (molars) are used for grinding down hay and other fibrous foods. The incisors are used for snipping off pieces of grass, hay and other plants before passing food backwards to the molars for chewing. 🌿 Hay contains a special sort of fibre called ‘long fibre’. It’s extremely important for the gut to work properly, but also for your rabbit’s teeth. The action of chewing side to side is what wears the molars down. No other food does this. Other foods aren’t chewed with the same side-to-side action and therefore don’t have the same effect. 🙂 Check out Willow and Bramble in the video below enjoying their hay! ⬇😍 #petdentalmonth

🐰 Enrichment 🐰 In order to allow our pet rabbits to carry out natural behaviours, we need to provide them with plenty of enrichment within their environment/enclosure! Rabbit toys can be placed around to keep them entertained, and tunnels/hideouts are important to ensure they feel safe! 😊 Remember to check their hideout has both an entrance and exit so they don't feel trapped! 😬🐰 Other great enrichment ideas are: ▪️ Put their pellets in a treat ball, meaning they have to nudge the ball around for their food. ▪️ Hiding their pellets in hay is a great idea as this encourages them to forage and eat their hay! ▪️ Scattering toilet rolls around the enclosure and stuffing some with hay is another easy way of keeping your rabbit entertained 😄 ▪️ Rabbits love to be nosey and explore their surroundings, so small platforms in their enclosure are always appreciated! Check out Bobby below nudging around his football and enjoying his tunnel ⬇️🐰 #RabbitAwarenessWeek

Foraging 🐰🌿 Rabbits typically love to spend many hours throughout the day finding and eating food. Feeding only from a bowl can create boredom and often results in your rabbit eating their food too quickly! Spreading hay and grass around their enclosure is a great way to encourage foraging! 🌿 Puzzle feeders also prevent boredom and will keep your bunny occupied! Some of their nugget allowance can be used for this or hay/grass. 🙂 Below is an example of a puzzle feeder ⬇️ As you can see Bobby loves searching for food and this activity is keeping him occupied! 😍