Warning
This information is for educational purposes only. It is not intended to diagnose your pet. Talk to your vet if you have concerns about your bunny.
This site makes no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability, or availability with respect to the website or the information, or related graphics contained on the website for any purpose.
Dosages on these pages have been compiled from various formulary textbooks and resources with rabbit dosages.
About this First Aid list
Bunnies don’t show pain, unless it’s too late. They also can’t explain what’s going on, so they may become quiet, grumpy or sad. Most of the healthcare required for bunnies is easy to do at home if you have the correct supplies.
It is really important to be prepared for anything with bunnies.
This is a list of items that you will need for looking after your bunnies.
Make sure you keep them within their use by date if applicable, and in a bunny first aid kit bag that is easy to reach in a hurry.
Disinfection and wound care
Bunnies have delicate skin, bones and organs. Any cuts, scrapes or wounds can be prone to infection. You don’t want your bunny to get an infection.
| Item | Use |
|---|---|
| A towel or blanket | To restrain your rabbit from escaping. Makes the process less stressful. |
| Disinfectant wipes | For disinfecting tools you need. Always disinfect before you use them. |
| Gloves | Keep you and your bunny germ free. Wash you hands thoroughly after wound care. |
| Gauze and cotton pads | For cleaning scrapes and applying treatments. Cotton swaps clean smaller areas like eyes. |
| Saline solution | Wash dirt out of the scratch or wound. |
| Antibacterial spray/cream | Put directly onto wounds. |
| Vet wrap | Keeps bacteria out of the wound. Get one that doesn’t stick so removing it won’t distress your bun. |
| Safety scissors | For cutting bandages and gauze. |
| Styptic powder or corn starch | to stop bleeding. Good to stop blood if you cut the nail too close to the quick. |
| Betadine | For cleaning bites, lacerations, NOT for punctures or deep cuts. Use before Styptic. |
Digestive problems
Bunnies have very delicate digestive systems. They constantly chew so it’s important to be able to help them with digestive problems.
| Item | Use |
|---|---|
| Probiotics | keeps the digestive tract running better. Use 2 hours after antibiotics to remove bad bacteria. Probiotics are a good idea for older buns or ones with longer hair. Australia doesn’t have a rabbit-specialised probiotic like other countries do. |
| Papaya tablets/supplements | Helps when constipated, has more fibre than needed in diet. |
| Gas drops – Infacol – Gripe Water | Simethicone (in Infacol) soothes gas build up. Should be used to ease minor bloating. Gripe water is a herbal version of Infacol, bunnies actually like it and it works faster. |
| Oxbow Critical Care (Herbivore) | Puts food in bunny’s belly if having trouble with digestion. Can also use crushed pellets in syringe with water. Mix into a thin paste. |
| Paper towel | In case there are accidents. |
| Digital scale | To weigh your bunny to see weight lost or gained. If significant amount has been lost, contact vet immediately. |
Treating heat, shock, dehydration, fever
It is important that you consult your vet first and foremost. However, some of these things will come in handy to help your rabbit before veterinary treatment.
| Item | Use |
|---|---|
| A rectal thermometer | Check bunny’s temperature. Can use Vaseline to help with lubrication to make bunny more comfortable. Normal temperature is 37-39°C. |
| Oral syringes of different sizes | 1ml, 10ml and Critical Care syringe. Helps when giving medication. |
| Eye dropper | For times of eye irritation, helps flush out foreign objects. |
| Artificial tears | Good for eye irritation. Apply 1 drop to eye as needed. |
| Molasses | Mix with water to make a rehydration solution. 1/2 teaspoon in 1 cup water. Can add mashed banana for extra potassium. |
| Electrolyte solution | Something like Hydrolyte unflavoured hydration powder. Can be used with a syringe or in water bowl. Replenishes bunny’s electrolytes. |
| Heating pad | To keep bun warm, good for when bun is in shock or suffering from hypothermia. |
| Cooling pad | Keep bun cool on hot days. |
| Ice pack/wet towel | Rapid cooling effect, don’t leave with bun too long. Can also use a wet towel burrito to cool bun down with heat stroke. |
Fleas, mites, ticks, bitey bugs
I call these yuck-bugs.
Spring, Summer and Autumn are nice days to put buns outside. The warmer weather is when yuck-bugs breed and hatch.
| Item | Use |
|---|---|
| Tweezers | Have a variety of uses. Can hold a patch of fur back to treat a wound or remove a tick. |
| Small flash light | Makes finding yuck-bugs easier. |
| Revolution Spot On – kitten and puppy | Irradiates the rabbit to remove some worms, parasites and keeps yuck-bugs away. Use during warmer months Oct-Apr each year. |
| Mineral oil | Easy and natural way to get rid of ear mites. Wipe ears clean with a cotton swap soaked in mineral oil. Don’t let the oil drip into the ears can cause infection. Don’t let the rabbit consume the oil by grooming. |
| Flea comb | Really handy for holding fur back when searching for fleas. Use with a bucket of warm water with a good slosh of vinegar in it. |
Miscellaneous tools
| Item | Use |
|---|---|
| Nail clippers | Can be avian or feline nail clippers that are spring loaded. Buns need nails cut every month. Replace every couple of years because they become blunt. |
| Grooming glove/comb/brush | Keeps your bunny silky smooth and removes any hair that is shedding. |