Please click here to view the latest information on how to access our services.
When purchasing your rabbit, it is important to consider the amount of space they require carefully. The RSPCA advises that rabbits need the below as a minimum space requirement for two averaged sized rabbits. Of course, if you can provide more space, that is even better for your rabbit’s welfare.
Showing your pet that you love and care for them doesn’t have to be complicated. We have pulled together some simple ideas of ways to show your pet that you love them.
Rabbit’s teeth continue to grow throughout their lives, which allows them to grind down course feed substances such as grass and plants in the wild. Many domestic rabbits are fed a mixture of hay and commercially available diets.
Commercially available diets are lower in fibre and higher in protein, fat and energy. This means that rabbits quickly achieve their nutritional requirements, unlike in the wild when they would need to graze all day and forage to meet the same energy intake from food. This can not only lead to obesity and boredom, but it can also lead to dental disease due to lack of wear of the teeth. Less time grinding and a lower intake of indigestible fibre can lead to the formation of molar spurs, which if severe, and allowed to progress, can cause tongue and cheek lacerations.
This can also cause secondary issues as indigestible fibre and chewing also promotes gastrointestinal motility, so diets low in fibre and higher in carbohydrates (such as muesli or pelleted diets) can cause the gut motility to slow.
Rabbits are hindgut fermenters, meaning that they rely on bacteria within their hindgut to break down and absorb food. Changing the pH and microflora can therefore lead to diarrhoea, gut stasis and, unfortunately, in some cases, death. For this reason, diet is an important factor in keeping your rabbit healthy and happy.
Not only is your rabbit’s diet important, but they oral health is vital to ensuring that they can properly digest their food. Rabbit dental care can be monitored by our team at Crofts Vets in Haslemere, Surrey
Rabbits are very good at hiding their pain and discomfort, making it harder as a pet owner to notice if your rabbit is suffering with dental disease. Some of the key things to look out for include:
If you detect any of the above signs, please contact Crofts Vets in Haslemere, Surrey to book an appointment for a vet to examine your rabbit as soon as possible.
If the front teeth (incisors) are too long, these can be shortened, this is usually performed on a conscious rabbit, but this depends on temperament.
If there is malalignment of the incisors (meaning that they don’t contact each other when closed), then shortening the teeth may provide a temporary fix, but the extraction of all incisors may be more appropriate to prevent the need for regular burring – this is something your vet would advise you on.
If your vet suspects there is spurring (sharp edges) of the back-cheek teeth (molars), a general anaesthetic will be required to facilitate a thorough examination and treatment.
Feed a well-balanced diet high in fibre; a rabbit’s diet should be mainly made up of hay (80-85%). As a guide, this means that a rabbit should eat their body size in hay a day. This increases grinding, oral wear and promotes gut movement.
Pellet foods are advised over a mixed muesli as rabbits will pick their favourite parts of the food, often leaving the most nutritional parts. Feed a maximum of one tablespoon per day for dwarf and standard rabbits and two tablespoons for giant breeds.
We are happy to answer any questions you may have, as well as advising you on the recommended products or dental diets for your pet. Contact Crofts Vets in Haslemere, Surrey for a consultation for your rabbit dental care needs.
Grooming is an important part of pet welfare and wellbeing and should be carried out regularly.
Spending time grooming your dog or cat can benefit your own mental health and improve your relationship with them. It is a good idea to start getting your pets used to grooming from an early age. It’s also a good opportunity to look for any abnormalities or changes in their physical condition, like lumps, bumps or skin lesions that may need to be checked out by a professional. Early detection of changes can be vital for your pet’s health, and your vet will be able to advise if you do find anything that concerns you.
You can no longer use a pet passport issued in Great Britain (England, Wales and Scotland) for travel to an EU country or Northern Ireland. You can still use a pet passport issued in an EU country or Northern Ireland.
If you've recently got a new puppy, you may be wondering how to give them the best start to life. According to Dogs Trust, the first four months of a puppy's life are crucial. It is when they learn what to make of all the things they experience in the world.
If you’re a dog owner, you’ll know that every month is walk your dog month; our canine friends need regular exercise all year round! But during January – with the enjoyment of Christmas a distant memory, the cold weather continuing, and those dreaded January blues to deal with – it can be tempting to put off walking your dog.
Please note we will be implementing a price change from
1st January 2021
Supported by the World Health Organisation (WHO), Antimicrobial Awareness Week aims to increase awareness of global antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and to encourage best practices among clinicians, policy makers and also the public to avoid the further emergence and spread of drug-resistant infections.
With the onset of colder weather, certain conditions that affect our pets can start to worsen. One of these conditions is Osteoarthritis (or OA for short) and below we take a closer look at the disorder and what can be done if your dog is diagnosed with it.
Page 12 of 16
