In this article
🌱🐰 Vet Guide 2025: How to Support Your Senior Rabbit — By Dr Duncan Houston
As rabbits age, their needs evolve—from dental health and digestion to joint support and comfort. In this 2025 senior care guide, I’ll walk you through practical adjustments and loving strategies to help your older bunny live comfortably, happily, and healthily in their golden years. Let’s make each hop count! 😊
1️⃣ Recognizing the Senior Years
- “Senior” typically starts around 5–6 years, though smaller breeds and individuals may show signs earlier.
- Look out for slower movement, weight fluctuation, dental wear signs, and behavioral subtlety.
2️⃣ Adjusting Diet for Senior Needs
- 🥕 Provide unlimited high‑fiber grass hay (Timothy or orchard) to support slow digestion.
- 🥬 Add softer vegetables like romaine, cilantro, and green leaf lettuce for hydration and ease.
- 🧀 Consider a senior‑specific pellet (lower or blended alfalfa) or use soaked pellets for easier chewing and digestion.
- 🍵 Offer warm water or unsweetened herbal infusions (like chamomile) in a shallow dish for extra hydration.
3️⃣ Supporting Mobility & Comfort
- 🏠 Provide low‑entry hay racks, easy‑access litter trays, ramps instead of leaps.
- 🧼 Use soft, non‑slippery surfaces like rugs or foam floor mats to reduce strain on joints.
- 🪑 Move food/water stations closer to their favorite lounge or rest spots for easier access.
4️⃣ Dental & Dental-Friendly Habits
- 🦷 Offer chew aids like compressed hay cubes, untreated wood blocks, or Purrz natural chews.
- 📋 Watch for signs of dental pain—drooling, refusing hay/meals, weight drop—and consult your vet.
5️⃣ Weekly Grooming & Hygiene Checks
- 🧼 Brush lightly to reduce fur matting and monitor skin/joint health.
- ✂️ Check trimmed area around hindquarters—older bunnies may need help staying clean.
- 🛁 Perform gentle spot-cleaning; avoid full baths—use warm, damp cloths for quick refreshes.
6️⃣ Enrichment That Matches Energy Levels
- 🧠 Short, slow-paced foraging games—scatter small bits of leafy greens around the habitat.
- 📦 Provide comfortable hideouts—Purrz cushy nest pads and fleece pouches are ideal.
- 🧩 Puzzle toys should be simple—Woopf treat balls or low-floor tubes suit gentler play.
7️⃣ Monitoring Health & Routine Vet Visits
- ⚖ Weigh weekly—track small weight loss early for fast vet intervention.
- 📆 Request biannual check-ups (or annual) to monitor teeth, joints, and internal health.
- 📲 Use Ask A Vet for quick advice, especially with early signs of discomfort or subtle changes.
8️⃣ Managing Chronic Conditions
- 🫁 Respiratory issues: Clean bins regularly; monitor for sneezing or discharge.
- 🦵 Arthritis: Speak with your vet about joint supplements, habitat modifications, and gentle massage.
- 🩹 Mobility loss: Keep their world compact—food, water, hay, and litter close together to reduce strain.
9️⃣ Emotional Comfort & Bonding
- 🧘♂️ Sit quietly near them to provide companionship without intrusive handling.
- 🎶 Use soft background music or natural soundscapes to create calm atmospheres.
- 🧡 Offer gentle petting in favorites spots—chin, forehead, shoulders—to reinforce trust.
🔟 Hospice & End-of-Life Care Considerations
- 🛋 Provide ultra-soft resting areas and easy access to essentials.
- ☀ Offer daily warm naps in sunlit spots or under gentle heat pads.
- 🤝 Keep a consistent veterinary routine; Ask A Vet can help with pain or quality-of-life assessments.
- 💖 Create meaningful moments—quiet time, nutritious treats, and a peaceful, comforting environment.
📌 Dr Duncan Houston’s Senior Rabbit Care Checklist
- Unlimited grass hay + soft leafy veggies daily
- Soaked/senior pellets weekly for easier eating
- Mobility-friendly flooring, ramps, low-entry trays
- Weekly brushing and hind-end grooming
- Puzzle/enrichment games suited for slow pace
- Weekly weigh-ins & biannual vet visits
- Monitor dental, joint, respiratory health
- Quiet bonding routine with gentle petting
- Planning for hospice comfort as needed
- Consult Ask A Vet for any concerns or change guidance
🌈 Final Thoughts from Dr Duncan Houston
Growing older with grace is possible—and your senior rabbit deserves a thoughtful, comforting environment tailored just for them. With diet and habitat tweaks, gentle care, mental engagement, and compassionate vet oversight, you’ll give your bunny the golden years they deserve. When in doubt, Ask A Vet is here 24/7. And don’t forget—leg warmers from Woopf or comfy Purrz nests can help support mobility and comfort as they age. 🐇💚
