Spotting Illness in Rabbits: When to Call the Vet
Rabbits are gentle, social, and wonderfully expressive animals—but when it comes to illness, they tend to suffer in silence. Like cats, rabbits often hide signs of pain or discomfort, making it all the more important for owners to recognise when something isn’t quite right.
As we celebrate Rabbit Awareness Week here in the UK, it’s a perfect time to shine a light on rabbit health, learn how to spot early warning signs, and understand when it’s time to consult a vet.
Why Rabbits Hide Their Illness
In the wild, rabbits are prey animals. To survive, they’ve evolved to hide any sign of weakness—meaning that by the time a rabbit shows clear symptoms of being unwell, they may have been suffering for some time.
This is why early detection is essential, and why regular checks at home (and yearly vet visits) are key to a rabbit’s long and healthy life.
Signs Your Rabbit May Be Unwell
Here are some of the most common—but often subtle—signs that your rabbit might be in pain or discomfort:
Eating & Toileting Changes
Reduced appetite or refusal to eat hay
Smaller, fewer, or misshapen droppings
Not drinking or drinking excessively
Teeth grinding (a sign of severe pain, often abdominal in origin)
Litter & Grooming Habits
Dirty or matted fur around rear end
Litter & Grooming Habits
Urine scalding
Movement & Posture
Sitting hunched or not moving much
Reluctance to hop or sudden lameness
Tilting the head or losing balance
Seeming wobbly or weak
General Behaviour
Hiding more than usual
Less social or withdrawn
Sudden aggression or irritability
Unusual breathing or nasal discharge
If you notice any combination of these symptoms, it’s important to contact a vet quickly. With rabbits, things can change fast—early intervention often makes all the difference.
When to Call the Vet
You should contact your vet immediately if your rabbit:
Hasn’t eaten or passed droppings for 8 hours
Shows signs of laboured breathing
Is unable to stand or move properly
Is very lethargic, cold, or unresponsive
Has a sudden head tilt or loss of balance
Rabbits can deteriorate quickly. If you’re ever unsure, it’s far better to get them checked than to wait.
End-of-Life Care for Rabbits
At Vet at Home, we understand how hard it is to say goodbye to a beloved rabbit. They are quiet companions, often deeply bonded with their owners and other pets.
If your rabbit is elderly, chronically unwell, or in visible distress, and treatment is no longer helping, we offer gentle in-home euthanasia for rabbits across Cornwall. This allows your rabbit to pass peacefully in a familiar, stress-free environment—without the fear of car journeys or clinical settings.
We’ll always speak with you first, listen carefully to your concerns, and help you decide whether the time is right—with kindness, not pressure.
Rabbit Awareness Week: What It’s All About
Rabbit Awareness Week (RAW) is an annual UK campaign dedicated to improving the health and welfare of rabbits. This year, the focus is on:
Encouraging better understanding of rabbit health
Promoting correct diet and housing
Helping owners recognise signs of pain or discomfort
Encouraging timely vet visits and vaccinations
You can find more resources and information at:
rabbitawarenessactiongroup.co.uk
You’re Not Alone
If you’re worried about your rabbit’s health or wondering whether they may be approaching the end of their life, please know that you’re not alone. I offer free consultations to help you understand what’s happening, and what your options are—with the calm, kind support your rabbit deserves.
Contact me today to talk things through, or learn more about in-home rabbit euthanasia and how we can help you give your pet a gentle, dignified goodbye.
