How to Buy a Healthy Pet Rabbit

Rabbits are prey animals, and as such, they are stoic creatures. Rabbits attempt to hide any signs of weakness or illness that could increase their chances of falling victim to a predator. Rabbit owners must learn the signs of a healthy rabbit and inspect the rabbit for problems before selecting a pet.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Examine the eyes for signs of discharge. Eye infections and mouth ulcers can cause excessive tearing in rabbits.

2. Look for discharge around the rabbit's nostrils. Nasal discharge indicates the possibility of a respiratory infection. An infected rabbit may also sneeze frequently.

3. Inspect the ears for wax buildup, crusting or scabs. Mites, fleas and infections can cause a pet rabbit to develop scabs or crust inside the ears.

4. Notice the cleanliness of the rabbit's front paws. If a rabbit has issues with nasal or eye discharge that aren't readily visible, you may see the remnants of discharge on the rabbit's paws from cleaning itself.

5. Check the rabbit's belly and bottom. The rabbit shouldn't have any fecal matter clinging to its coat. Small fecal pellets clinging to the rabbit's coat can be a sign of gastrointestinal stasis, which means the digestive tract has shut down.

6. Part the gums and check the dental status of the rabbit. The rabbit shouldn't have any ulcers and the teeth should just meet when the rabbit's mouth is relaxed.

7. Choose a pet rabbit with a healthy coat of fur. Although rabbits shed heavily when they go through the normal molting process, the fur should always be clean and free of flakes or parasites.