Brush rabbit.  Please do not use a wire slicker brush.  These brushes act like rakes against a rabbit’s delicate skin.  The best brushes to use are flea combs, brushes with soft bristles, and rubber brushes.  Rabbits must be brushed once every day (2 or 3 times a day during shedding season) to prevent them from swallowing large amounts of fur.  Rabbits cannot vomit, so they are unable to “cough up a hairball.”  Any hair they swallow must pass through their system.  If it does not pass through their system, an intestinal impaction called a trichobezoar forms and the rabbit dies.  You may want to give your rabbit a papaya tablet every few days in an effort to prevent this from happening.  It is also important that your rabbit eats large amounts of Timothy hay every day because the fiber helps the rabbit pass any hair that is swallowed.  

Feel your rabbit’s stomach to check for any unusual lumps in the stomach (a normal rabbit stomach feels like soft dough). 

Pet your rabbit’s entire body to check for any unusual lumps and bumps.

Check rabbit’s litter box for any changes in the size, shape, and texture of the rabbit’s droppings (normal rabbit droppings are hard and round.  You may also find clusters of soft smelly droppings.  These are cecotropes, also known as cecal pellets.  They are different from feces.  The rabbit normally eats these straight from their anus.  Cecotropes provide the rabbit with Vitamin B12.  This is not a waste product, it is something the rabbit needs, so it is not as disgusting as it seems).  If you notice large amounts or clumps of hair in the droppings, it means that your rabbit may be having trouble passing the hair they swallow, or they may even have a trichobezoar.  Diarrhea can be a sign of a serious problem, or it may simply mean that the rabbit ate a fruit or a vegetable that does not agree with him/her.  Check the color of your rabbits urine.  If you find blood in your rabbit’s urine, visit your veterinarian.  If you see very thick gray or white urine for more than a day or two, your rabbit may have too much calcium in their diet. 

Feed your rabbit (hay, pellets and vegetables)

Give your rabbit fresh water.

Clean litter box (use a solution that is half warm water and half white vinegar to clean the litter box.  Never use bleach.)

Give your rabbit small amounts of fresh fruit.

Clean cage thoroughly with hot water.  (Do this every day for a week following any kind of surgery)

Check eyes and nose to see that there is no discharge.

Check inside of ears to be sure that they are clean far down inside and that there are no ear mites.

Clip nails (You can do this yourself or you can have your veterinarian, a person who is familiar with rabbits, or a knowledgeable pet store employee do it for you.  Use cat nail clippers and be sure to have styptic powder (from the pet store) or cornstarch on hand to stop any bleeding that may occur if the nail is cut too far back.  Be sure to keep your rabbit calm during this procedure.)

Check teeth to see that they are properly aligned and that they are not too long or too short.

Check scent gland under your rabbit’s chin (as rabbits age, this area can become infected.)