How often should a rabbit see the vet?

Rabbits are exotic pets and require a vet who has specific knowledge of rabbit medicine — not all vets are equally experienced with rabbits. Finding a rabbit-savvy vet before you need one is essential.

Annual health checks — the minimum standard

Every rabbit should see a rabbit-experienced vet at least once a year for:
- Full physical examination (weight, body condition, teeth check, gut sounds, lymph nodes, heart and lungs, eyes and ears, skin and coat)
- Dental assessment — dental disease is extremely common and the molars cannot be assessed without specialist equipment; your vet may recommend a sedated dental examination if concerns arise
- Weight recording: the baseline against which future changes are measured
- Vaccination review: RHDV1, RHDV2, and myxomatosis — schedules vary by country but typically annual or every 6 months in high-risk areas
- Parasite prevention: monthly E. cuniculi prophylaxis is recommended in some regions; regular flea and mite treatment for outdoor rabbits

When to go more often

- Dental disease rabbits: every 6 months at minimum; many need dental filing (burring) every 6–12 months
- Senior rabbits (over 6–7 years): twice-yearly health checks, with blood and urine testing annually from age 6
- Rabbits with chronic conditions: as directed by your vet
- Bonded pairs: if one rabbit is unwell, the bonded partner should also be assessed — shared illnesses are common
- Post-vaccination check: your vet should observe your rabbit for 15–30 minutes after vaccination in case of anaphylaxis

Between visits — what to monitor at home

- Weight: weigh monthly at home using kitchen scales. Report any loss of more than 100 g promptly.
- Droppings: check daily for quantity, size, and consistency
- Food intake: rabbits must eat hay continuously; reduced hay intake is an early warning sign
- Behaviour: any change from normal — hiding, less activity, changes in social behaviour

The rabbit emergency: do not wait

Rabbits can go from appearing unwell to critically ill within 2–4 hours. Never "wait and see overnight" with a rabbit that is not eating, has no droppings, appears in pain, or has breathing difficulty. Find a rabbit-savvy emergency vet in your area before you need one and save the number in your phone.