Your rabbit's health care is an ongoing process. While we recommend that you take your rabbit to the veterinarian once a year for a check up, you should be monitoring your rabbit's behavior and health every day. In addition, you should do your own check up at home once a month. If you notice anything out of the ordinary, contact your veterinarian.

• Mouth/Teeth: Check your rabbit's mouth. Verify that the teeth are still growing straight, not overgrown, and your rabbit isn't drooling. Look for a nice healthy pink color in the gums.
• Fur/Skin: Make sure that your rabbit's coat is healthy, doesn't have any flakes, and that there are no lumps under the skin.
• Ears: Look inside to see if they are clean. If you see wax build up or flakiness, a trip to your veterinarian is needed.
• Nails: Trim your rabbit's nails, if needed. Long nails may tear off, bleed and become infected.
• Toes: Feel the toes. Make sure they are all intact, straight and no signs of abcesses.
• Feet: Check that the bottom of the feet are covered with fur, or if you see skin, that it isn't bright red or infected. (Callous is OK)
• Scent Glands: If the scent glands are dirty, clean gently with a Q-Tip dipped in mineral oil.
• Eyes: Make sure there isn't discharge from the eyes. Lift up the lid and check for a healthy pink color.
• Nose: Look for a dry clean nose.
• Respiration: Listen for clear regular breathing.
• Heart: If you have a stethoscope, listen to your rabbit's heart. Make sure the beat sounds regular.
• Droppings: Nothing looks nicer than large moist bunny poops. Small or malformed droppings could be a sign of a problem.
• Urine: If your rabbit suddenly starts urinating outside the box, a trip to the vet is needed. How does the urine look? Rabbit urine does vary in color and is sometimes red, but if you notice anything in it such as red spots or flakes, please have it checked out. Also, there should not be urine stains on your rabbit's fur.
• Disposition: Has your rabbit's personality changed? Not as active? Not eating as much? Any changes in behavior should result in a trip to your veterinarian.

If you do this once a month you will have a better sense of what is normal for your rabbit and you will pick up on problems earlier. This, in conjunction with an annual vet exam, will help make your rabbit a healthier one!