Elder Care
ElderBun (Senior) House Rabbit Care, Comfort and Connection
The purpose of this guide is to briefly share hands-on knowledge about how to provide the extra care, comfort and connection that Senior House Rabbits (lovingly recognized as ElderBuns) need to maintain good health and happiness well into their Golden Years.
Most house/companion rabbit breeds recognize a rabbit as an ElderBun at about 7 years old. For larger breeds, it may be around 4-5 years old, or smaller breeds, at about 8 years old.
ElderBun Care and Comfort
Basic Routine and TLC
Physical, cognitive and emotional changes in your Elderbun can arise quite quickly as they age; so it is as important as ever to keep up those daily, weekly, monthly Nose2Tail, seasonal and semi-annual grooming and annual check-up routines.
Changes in Eating Habits
Changes may also include frequency of eating, as well as when they eat and how much they eat at once. You may need to increase the amount of pellets if they are losing weight. Ask your Exotic Rabbit Veterinarian if more high quality or even senior formula pellets may now be part of their daily diet.
Continue with Unlimited Hay and available clean Water in a crock bowl - Always! Timothy and Orchard Hays with a small percentage (about 10% of volume or so) of Oat Hay is a nice combination. Adding Alfalfa Hay may be okay if recommended by your Exotic Rabbit Veterinarian for extra calories and to maintain quality and integrity of their coat.
Offer enough greens, at about 1-2 cups by volume per day, if they can continue with them. Nutrient dense yet easy-to-digest greens such as parsley, cilantro, romaine, arugula and dandelion greens are good choices. Make sure that you don’t overdo it on other fruit and vegetables that are okay to offer as treats to your rabbit as their digestion is slowing down and may be more sensitive to foods that used to be tolerated as a younger rabbit.
Make sure that their pee and poop remains consistent and firm. Any changes in their output should be addressed by your Exotic Rabbit Veterinarian. If your veterinarian suggests to lower or cease the amount of greens because their stools become loose or if there are changes to their overall digestion, it is important to strongly heed this advice.
Housing
A low stress environment will help your Elderbun feel comfortable and secure as they gracefully age. Consider a low noise level and little change in overall environment as they get older. Changes in the environment as they age, but the more things stay the same as long as possible, the better off the rabbit will be.
Provide plenty of traction in their living area. Line it with soft towels, soft fleece, or a soft cotton rug. For ElderBuns who have significant mobility/incontinence issues, a faux sherpa carpet (found on Amazon here) is recommended to help them maintain a cleaner and drier environment. It is not recommended to have bare floors such as vinyl, tile or wood for older rabbits as the lack of traction will indeed put a lot of stress-to-pain on their aging joints, muscles, and bones in their legs.
If your Elderbun has mobility issues getting in and out of their litter box consider a low entry Litter Box or a cookie sheet with litter. Check for bladder sludge on a regular basis in their box or pan. Even if they show signs of using their overall living area more than the box for pee and poop, continue to offer the Litter Box/Pan as part of their environment.
Exercise and Stimulation
Have play time and toys available even if the rabbit has limited mobility or chooses to nap more often than not.
Basic Hygiene
Making time each month for the Nose2Tail check is as important as ever, as your ElderBun may not be as active as in younger years and certain hygiene issues may arise more often or appear not like before.
Their nails will grow longer and faster and you may have to express their anal glands more often. They may become more soiled if they lose mobility in their rear legs. Dry baths are a way to massage cornstarch into these soiled areas and then lightly brush or gently tease them out in the fur with your fingers. No water baths should be given unless directed by a Exotic Rabbit Veterinarian and never submerge a full body of a bunny as the stress could kill them.
Check their teeth frequently for overgrowth or pain/discomfort.
Spending quality time with Your Rabbit brushing and gentle petting is a good way to check for any changes in your Elderbun.
A Connection with an ElderBun is a very special gift…
Care and comfort can help the bun maintain their health and happiness as they age gracefully & is important. As a caregiver, it’s time to be more present with the ElderBun, than less.
Make sure the rabbit is part of the family, & not off to the side where they could become lonely or depressed. Soft music or talk radio on is helpful to help keep them company when you are away.
Learn simple massage techniques, give gentle pets, & groom with soft conversation to connect together. During this precious time as you note any below changes during your bonding that may come with aging.
A friend for Your ElderBun?
Remember, It is always up to the rabbit to pick their friend/BFF. A bonding expert may be of help with that.
Working with the situation
Those who lost their BFF may be open to a new friend. Maybe. Be open that some may remain “single pringles.”
Being slow and patient is key because like humans, it may take time to get used to someone new in their space, and they may not even want to have another even after the best of intentions by their humans.
ElderBun Changes over Time
1 Less activity and reduced agility.
2 Thinning, matting, or changing of their fur color.
3 Changes in their eating patterns and appetite.
4 A decrease in muscle mass and an increase in weight loss.
5 A narrowing of ear canal (especially in lop rabbits) and scaly ears.
6 Difficulty in using their litter box, having loose stools, experiencing partial to full incontinence.
7 An increase in developing health concerns.
Developing ElderBun Health Concerns
1 Increased instance of dental disease.
2 Cataracts, glaucoma, blindness.
3 Respiratory issues.
4 Heart or liver disease.
5 Arthritis, spondylitis, and other skeletal problems.
6 Detected uterine tumors in unspayed female rabbits.
7 Renal failure.
8 Pododermatitis, sore hocks, paralysis.