The Interaction Between Behavioral and Physical Health in Rabbits

Behavioral and physical health are intricately interconnected in most animals, and the rabbit is no different. Medical or physical conditions can lead to anxiety and stress, and anxiety and stress can lead to physical illness. Rabbits are very prone to fear, anxiety, and stress, especially when their husbandry is not appropriate and their environmental and behavioral needs are not met. Any rabbit presenting for acute behavior changes should be examined thoroughly for underlying medical conditions and the appropriateness of their environment examined equally closely. Physical health is unlikely to exist without behavioral and/or emotional health and vice versa.