Always remember to praise your rabbit after you have completed your health check and give them a small bit of carrot or parsley as a treat. They will soon forgive you!

If your rabbit gets stressed when carrying out a health check – sing a little song to them or rub their noses or ears, generally make a fuss and calm them down before you continue. Some rabbits are more comfortable being examined on the floor.

Wrap a towel around your rabbit if you need to stop them struggling whilst carrying out a health check. Wrap it diagonally from the shoulder to the hip & make sure you have not covered their face

By carrying out a health check in a room your rabbit is not familiar with, will help if your rabbit is always struggling to get away.

Carry out regular health checks on your rabbit every other day in the summer and once a week in the winter.

Herbal Slippery elm & Charcoal capsules help rabbits with digestive problems. Add a little powder from the capsules to water and syringe feed. Or try scattering amongst hay or pellets.

It’s very useful and helpful to have a medicine cabinet at home for your rabbit. See Bunny care – Health & MOT for which medicines.

Syringe feed slowly to allow time to swallow. If you syringe feed them too quickly there is a chance it could end up in their lungs.

Always place the syringe in the side of their mouth, into the cheek and at a slight angle. Never syringe feed from the front and straight down the throat.

Never syringe feed when they are laid backwards like a baby. Always syringe feed them whilst upright.