Here are some top tips for caring for your rabbit, guinea pig, hamster or gerbil.Rabbitso             Need special care when handling - if they are in pain or frightened, they may bite.o             Rabbits should NEVER be left unsupervised with children for this reason!

Rabbits have suffered broken limbs due to suddenly being dropped - and a sudden bite might make a child - or adult quickly 'let go'.o             Pick up gently by supporting the frontquaters in one hand and rear end in the other.o             Rabbits who have been picked up in other ways have sustained spinal injuries.o             NEVER pick a rabbit up by his or ears - this can definitely cause severe injuries.Rabbits require regular gently brushing.

Buy a special soft rabbit brush, brush gently from the back of the head to the tail.

Use grooming as a once-over check time - things to look out for include:o             Bald patcheso             Lumpso             Sore patcheso             Fur with diarrhoea on it (especially at the feet and rear end)o             Overgrown nails, which your vet will show you how to trimThese need veterinary attention.

The maggots then eat into the rabbit's skin.

Apart from the gross-out factor for bunny owners, this causes illness, as the maggots release toxins and encourage bacteria growth.