Rabbit Care: Tips for Heart Health
October 13, 2025
This month we’re focusing on heart health and the habits you can introduce to your rabbit’s daily life to help reduce the risk of illness. If your rabbit’s heart isn’t functioning as it should, it can impact their whole body. Below, our Vet Nicola Armstrong has created a heart health guide packed with tips to help you support your bunny’s heart.
If you spot changes in your rabbit’s breathing, energy, or behaviour then book a health check with our vets in Glasgow to help rule out heart or other health problems.
You can also learn more about the signs of heart disease in rabbits by downloading our Rabbit Heart Fact Sheet, and help us raise awareness amongst Lanarkshire rabbit owners by sharing our article on your socials.
Our rabbit heart health guide
Rabbits can suffer from several heart conditions, including cardiomyopathy, congestive heart failure and hypertension. It’s important to try and keep your rabbit’s weight in a healthy range as extra weight puts extra strain on the heart – here’s how.
1. Daily diet essentials
Our Vet Nicola Armstrong explains that a healthy heart starts with a healthy diet. While rabbits don’t need special “heart foods”, feeding them the right balance of rabbit friendly foods every day can help maintain a healthy weight, support circulation and reduce the risk of strain on their heart.
Unlimited hay
- Timothy, meadow, or orchard grass hay
- Main source of fibre for healthy digestion and weight control
Fresh leafy greens (about a teacup per kg of body weight)
- Romaine lettuce
- Spring greens
- Coriander (cilantro)
- Basil
- Dill
Herbs with antioxidant benefits
- Parsley (small amounts)
- Mint
Add in a few times a week
- Kale (small handful – high calcium)
- Spinach (small handful – high oxalate)
- Broccoli leaves or stems
- Carrot tops
- Beet greens (sparingly)
2. Occasional treats only
- Fruits: apple, strawberry, pear, banana (very small pieces)
- Root veg: carrot, parsnip (small slices)
3. Foods to avoid
- Commercial treats with cereals, seeds, or molasses
- Too much fruit or high-sugar veg
- Iceberg lettuce (low nutrition and harmful in large quantities due to presence of lactucarium)
4. Rabbit exercise and weight control
To prevent obesity, Nicola advises that it’s best to ensure your rabbit has plenty of space and opportunities to exercise. As naturally active mammals, physical activity will get their blood pumping and keep their heart healthy. You should also provide enrichment – use toys and play tunnels to stimulate your bunny’s brain.
5. A healthy living environment
Try to keep their living space as stress-free as possible to reduce the risk of hypertension. It’s also helps to reduce their exposure to air pollutants and avoid smoking around your rabbit.
6. Social interaction
Rabbits thrive on companionship. They are naturally social animals so a bonded companion will help promote their overall wellbeing. Call us on 0141 643 0404 to seek advice from our veterinary team at Avenues Vets on how to successfully pair rabbits. Looking out for any changes in rabbit’s health will help ensure they receive prompt treatment if they do become unwell.
If you notice changes in your rabbit’s breathing, energy, or behaviour, book a vet check-up at Avenues Vets to rule out heart or other health issues.
Before you go, download our Rabbit Heart Disease Symptoms Fact Sheet and help us raise awareness amongst Lanarkshire rabbit owners by sharing our article on your social media accounts.
